Sunday, January 16, 2011

The New Civility

MSNBC:

Tucson shooting victim detained at taping of TV special 'You're dead,' man yells while photographing Tea Party spokesman

TUCSON, Ariz. — A Tucson mass shooting victim was taken into custody Saturday after yelling "you're dead" at a Tea Party spokesman during the taping of an ABC-TV town hall event hosted by Christianne Amanpour.

The Pima County Sheriff's Office said J. Eric Fuller, 63, was involuntarily committed to an undisclosed medical facility, NBC News reported. The Associated Press said he was undergoing a psychiatric evaluation.

He faces charges of threats and intimidation and disorderly conduct, according to Tucson TV station KGUN.

Local officials and others also packed St. Odilia's Catholic Church in northwest Tucson, where the show was taped.

KGUN reported that Fuller took exception to comments by Republican state Rep. Terri Proud and Tucson Tea Party spokesman Trent Humphries.

Fuller was in the front row and apparently became upset when Humphries suggested that any conversations about gun control should be delayed until all the dead were buried, KGUN reported.

Fuller took a picture of Humphries and shouted, “You’re dead.”

Some media reports said Fuller kept booing and making other remarks before deputies escorted him from the church.

Also at the church were Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup, Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., and former Rep. Jim Kolbe.

If Humphries decides not to press charges, the charges will be dropped, Pima Deputy Jason Ogan told Phoenix station KNXV.

The hospital will determine when he will be released, Ogan said.

Fuller reportedly felt a bullet hit his knee Jan. 8, but didn't know he had also been struck in the back. The Arizona Daily Star reported, Fuller, a naval air veteran, drove himself to Northwest Hospital after being shot. He was later taken to University Medical Center where he was released two days later.

2 comments:

Always On Watch said...

I wonder if this was the same fellow who said yesterday or the day before that he blamed Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, etc., for the Tucson shootings. One of the victims so opined a few days ago.

Always On Watch said...

Yep, the the same guy.