At least five people are dead and six injured after a lone gunman from Las Vegas went on a spree in a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper today.
This is not an Aussie rant against US gun laws — I mean, what’s the point — instead, coming from a nation where we mostly feel safe in public places, I’m curious how American’s react under fire.
And how it’s reported.
My local ABC report includes a quote from a witness, who says that upon hearing gunfire they ran into a conference room and barricaded the doors. Then she called her mother to say goodbye.
Active-armed offenders are business-as-usual in a country where there’s a chance of being murdered at work every day.
There’s added detail in the Reuters report, which says the shooter entered 345 Park Avenue wearing body armor and carrying an Armalite-style assault rifle. He killed his way up to Level 32 before offing himself.
Why wasn’t he stopped in the street, let alone the foyer? So many macho, gun-totin’ Republicans out there, why didn’t one step up and be the hero?
The next question is why, and who.
If he wanted sheer bodycount, Grand Central’s only a few blocks south. What connection did 27-year-old Shane D Tamura from Las Vegas have with the building?
Who was he after?
The NBC report offers more clues: the killer walked in and killed an off-duty cop, a woman, and the security guard who was “taking cover behind a security desk” before riding the elevator to Level 33 where he kills another person before offing himself.
Did he find the person he was looking for?
Who’s on Level 33?
And sorry folks, short segue here, but if you put on a badge that says “security” and hide when a man enters your space in a ballistic vest with an AR, then get another fucking job, coward.
Oh that’s right, he doesn’t need to anymore.
Coming back to this the next day, we know who’s not on Level 33 — the National Football League executive, that’s who. Apparently the shooter’s college football ambitions didn’t translate to big league stardom, so he wanted a word.
Rambling note left in car.
History of mental health issues.
BUT STILL ELIGIBLE FOR CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT!?
I said this wasn’t a rant, but…
The biggest question (for me) is why America politicises tragedy. Why seek “reactions” from warring parties?
After every mass murder the right wing say you should be scared. You should put your faith in us, the government, and our heroic law enforcement officers to save you from the leftist zombie horde! Go shelter in your homes, little people, while we crush them all!
The left wing agree: We ARE scared — scared of government and law enforcement who treat us like a zombie horde! Come, brothers and sisters, grab your torch and pitchfork! We must rid the village of these monsters!
Newsflash: None of your tired bullshit is working. There are no gods. Divine intervention won’t save you. It’s too late to claw back all those guns. You sowed these seeds, now reap the bloody harvest.
345 Park Avenue is your fate, your new normal.
345 Park Avenue is just business as usual.