Police: Off-Duty Cop Saved Lives In Mall
Salt Lake City Police Say Officer Prevented Gunman Who Fatally Shot 5 From Killing More
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Video
Utah: Columbine Style Shooting
A teenager opened fire at the Trolley Square Mall in Salt Lake City, Utah killing five people. Sandra Hughes reports on the tragedy and how it could have been much worse.
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Deadly Rampage At Utah Mall
A gunman's shooting rampage at Trolley Square Mall in Salt Lake City has left at least six people dead, including the shooter, and more injured. KUTV's Fields Moseley reports.
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Witnesses Recap Mall Shooting
Barrett Dodds and Brad Merrill were in the Trolley Square Mall when a gunman opened fire. Both witnesses recap the deadly events with Hannah Storm.
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Ogden city police master officer Ken Hammond addresses the media Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007, in Ogden. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
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A police officer stands nearby as a body of a woman lies on the floor at Trolley Square Mall in Salt Lake City, Feb. 12, 2007. A man with a shotgun entered the shopping mall and began randomly shooting customers Monday night, killing five people and injuring at least four others before being killed, police said. (AP Photo)
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Cassidy Rapier, left, comforts his girlfriend, Marie Smith, after a gunman opened fire inside the Trolley Square Mall in Salt Lake City on Feb. 12, 2007. (AP/Desert Morning News, M. Brandy)
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Shaken-up children sit in an ambulance after a gunman opened fire at Trolley Square Mallin Salt Lake City on Feb. 12, 2007, hitting several people before he was killed by police. (AP/Desert Morning News, M. Brandy)
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Police officers examine a body on the floor at Trolley Square Mall in Salt Lake City on Feb. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
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Photo Essay
Utah Mall Shooting
18-year-old man kills five, wounds four at Salt Lake City mall before being killed by police.
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A day after the shooting, investigators struggled to figure out why a trench-coated Sulejmen Talovic opened fire on shoppers with a supremely calm look on his face.
The teenager wanted to "to kill a large number of people" and probably would have killed many more if not for the off-duty officer, Police Chief Chris Burbank said.
Ken Hammond, an off-duty officer from Ogden, north of Salt Lake City, jumped up from his seat at a restaurant after hearing gunfire and cornered the gunman, exchanging fire with him until other officers arrived, Burbank said.
"There is no question that his quick actions saved the lives of numerous other people," the police chief said.
"I feel like I was there and did what I had to do," Hammond told reporters. After spotting the gunman, he told his pregnant wife to take cover in the restaurant and went to confront the suspect.
Police said it was not immediately clear who fired the shot that killed Talovic.
Talovic had a backpack full of ammunition, a shotgun and a .38-caliber pistol, police said. Investigators knew little about Talovic, except than he lived in Salt Lake City with his mother and three younger sisters, police said.
Police say they have no motive for the rampage. Talovic had some minor juvenile incidents and dropped out of the Salt Lake City school system in November of 2004, reports CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes.
"He was such a good boy. We don't know what happened," says Ajka Omerovic, Talovic's aunt.
Talovic drove to the Trolley Square shopping center — a century-old former trolley barn with winding hallways, brick floors and wrought-iron balconies, and immediately killed two people, followed by a third victim as he came through a door, Burbank said. Five other people were then shot in a gift shop, he said.
The victims were identified as Jeffrey Walker, 52, Vanessa Quinn, 29, Kirsten Hinkley, 15, Teresa Ellis, 29, and Brad Frantz, 24. Four people were hospitalized — a 44-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man in critical condition, and a 34-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy in serious condition.
The card store Cabin Fever had been packed with Valentine's Day shoppers Monday night when the shooting started, store owner David Dean said.
Dean said his assistant manager called him, saying "someone's in the store killing people." The place was "all shot up," Dean said. He said three or four of the victims were shot inside.
As investigators began interviewing the 100 to 200 witnesses, people placed candles and flowers at two memorials outside the mall for the victims. Business owners surveyed the damage, and shoppers who had fled returned to pick up cars they had to leave parked overnight.
Marie Smith, 23, a Bath & Body Works manager, said she had seen the gunman through the store window. She watched as he raised his gun and fired at a young woman approaching him from behind.
"His expression stayed totally calm. He didn't seem upset, or like he was on a rampage," said Smith, who crawled to an employee restroom to hide with others. He looked like "an average Joe," she said.
Outside the mall, candles and flowers were left as memorials to the victims, who were identified as Jeffrey Walker, 52, Vanessa Quinn, 29, Kirsten Hinkley, 15, Teresa Ellis, 29, and Brad Frantz, 24.
Hammond's boss, Ogden Police Chief Jon Greiner, said the state Senate wants to honor him.
"Thank goodness he was there," said Greiner, who is also a state senator. "You don't want to ever say it's good we were there and killed somebody, but it's probably good someone was there."
Accountant Jeff Barlow was on a date at a restaurant when he looked outside and saw the gunman firing from the hip.
"I thought it was some kind of joke — some kind of movie or stunt," Barlow said. "I didn't believe it was happening. And then I saw a man go down in a courtyard. I realized this was serious. These are real bullets flying around."
His date, Stephanie Bronson, added: "Just crazy. Absolutely terrifying."
Also Monday night, a business meeting in Philadelphia turned deadly when a gunman, apparently angry over money, killed three men and critically injured a fourth before exchanging gunfire with police and then killing himself, police said.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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See all 138 Comments"Police...declined to say how he died."
So..., they did something other than shoot him?
yea maybe they put 67 bullets in him and didnt wanna put that in the report here.
safe to say it was from internal bleeding.
I guess he really dosen't/didn't like mormans.
Amen!
Posted by tm_wilson at 09:12 AM : Feb 13, 2007
What I think is often the matter with parents these days is that they are too distracted and self-absorbed to really spend any time with junior. They buy him his video games and use them as a baby-sitter instead of making the personal investment in time that he deserves.
Convenient for them, disastrous for junior.
Posted by czarhezar at 09:28 AM : Feb 13, 2007
While not an active NRA supporter by any means, I will observe that they do promote gun safety and responsibility as part of their platform.
First person shooter games appeal to the baser side...just like car accidents. There is no shortage of people who'll stop on a freeway to get a look at dismembered drivers.
But when also add the 'Right to bear arms" whether sane or insane, then you MUST take responsibility for every murder committed by insane people who have the right to bear arms.
You see, saying that guns don't kill people then giving the right to bear arms to every insane American, you are basically enabling guns to kill people. Insane Americans will either be killed in a shootout, or be sentenced to psychiatric care.
Point being that if every American has the right to bear arms, and insane people are not held accountable for their acions, then it's the gun that is responsible; therefore you for being in favor of the 'right to bear arms'.
Bottom line is having the right to bear arms cancels out the saying, "guns don't kill people", because in fact guns do kill people.
They DO play these same games in Canada, Australia, Great Britain, the rest of Europe, and millions throughout Asia...but with bout 15% of the 'violent video gamers' being in USA, 99% of these crazy shootouts occur.
It's not the video games - it's the crazy American logic that allowing anyone to have a gun is a responsible thing to do.
Ask the parents and family of the slain what they think of the 'Right to bear arms'.
And please keep the NRA in USA where they can do their damage - we don't need their crazy logic in Canada - we much prefer our violent video games to the NRA's 'right to bear arms'.
Seems to me gun fanatics are always looking to make a point about how the NRA is a good thing because they promote safety. But how can you suggest anyone have a gun - i.e.the insane, and talk about safety?
Promote gun "SAFETY" & "RESPONSIBILITY"!?
How could a person holding a gun be safe & responsible? The whole concept of owning a gun is to protect oneself/family against threats of other guns. A gun for a gun, as contrary to an eye for an eye, does not make the world blind. It will blow minds.
I've known plenty of guys that have played video games for years...mainly shooters...and none of us have shot up a place. It's not just the video game company, but also the people selling video games to minors(in most states you have to be 17 or older and they are supposed to check ID on mature rated games.)
I do agree that the parents are somewhat responsible but come on...in this fast paced America who has time to watch what their 18 year old kid that refuses to talk to them and spends nights out on the town.
There's background checks on registered gun owners, but whose to say that down the road the person who originally bought the gun while sane has a nervous breakdown or something just happens. My girlfriend's uncle committed suicide about two years ago, he'd owned guns for years wasn't a hunter, just had them for protection. The hospital he went to wouldn't institutionalize him once there was the possibility of him harming himself.
I lay the blame solely on media. They glorify war, they censor violent acts. There's not enough being taught in schools about gun control, atleast nothing that's mandatory....
And please...don't blame Marilyn Manson!
I've known plenty of guys that have played video games for years...mainly shooters...and none of us have shot up a place. It's not just the video game company, but also the people selling video games to minors(in most states you have to be 17 or older and they are supposed to check ID on mature rated games.)
I do agree that the parents are somewhat responsible but come on...in this fast paced America who has time to watch what their 18 year old kid that refuses to talk to them and spends nights out on the town.
There's background checks on registered gun owners, but whose to say that down the road the person who originally bought the gun while sane has a nervous breakdown or something just happens. My girlfriend's uncle committed suicide about two years ago, he'd owned guns for years wasn't a hunter, just had them for protection. The hospital he went to wouldn't institutionalize him once there was the possibility of him harming himself.
I lay the blame solely on media. They glorify war, they censor violent acts. There's not enough being taught in schools about gun control, atleast nothing that's mandatory....
And please...don't blame Marilyn Manson!
Having a gun is not a crime. Using it to kill an innocent person is a crime. Using it to kill a criminal is a public service. The police don't show up until after you are killed. If you want to survive, you depend upon your neighbor with the gun to do something before you are murdered by the maniacs and criminals.
You have to wonder if all those fake laser deaths could spark something in the deep brain, that says hey killing is fun ?
Then , there are people who are just evil.
And, he is now dead.
Therefore, he will never be able to explain to the world why he committed such a selfish act.
Innocent people are dead, for a reason that will NEVER be known.
All the arguing in the world will not get inside the head of this disturbed individual, to figure out what he was thinking, or to find any motives for his actions.
You can blame this act of violence on whatever you want...
Reality is...Nobody will ever know the truth.
NOW THE PARENTS LET THEM RUN WILD, WITH GUNS, SUE THE PARENTS FOR THE GUNS, SUE YOUR GOVERNMENT FOR GETTING IN THE WAY OF OUR FAMILY'S.
TAKE THEIR RIGHTS TO BEAR ARMS AWAY FROM THE WHOLE FAMILY. NOT THE ONES OF US WHO TAUGHT OUR CHILDREN RIGHT, I SPANKED MINE AND TAUGHT THEM EARLY ON ABOUT GUNS AND I AM A MOTHER OF TO GOOD MEN.....
"Terrorist without a Cause"
I agree with you 100%.
The picture is extremely inappropriate, not only for the victim herself, but also for her family.
get your head out of your ***, just because your pissed at the president dont be such a seahag and bag on our troops fighting overseas so your *** can wake up everyday worry free.....a holes like you have no heart ..pray for the people killed in utah, think of thire families, but instead youre just some ignorant tabloid reading punk who turns some kid who snapped into a george bush loving gun toting problem child... stop commenting on your personal feelings because no one cares what you think.. specially me
Amen - you are right on the mark.
yoopermom -
of course it bothers you. It should. This is reality, not a tv show. Why do people here get upset when they see pictures of the truth, such as our military brought home in coffins and people shot at malls? Its more than time for this country's people to stop behaving like protected little children and face the stark realities of life. How else will we make changes or put an end to our permissive attitude and start making the punishments fit the crimes? Is it simply more comfortable to deliberately ask to be protected from seeing what is happening in our country? Like so many Germans after WWII said they didn't know what was happening. Many didn't want to know what was happening. My heart goes out to the families of everyone killed at that mall, not only to the family of the one in the photo. The whole thing is horrific. Could it have been prevented if we didn't deliberately stick our heads in the sand and actually saw the true horror of such crimes? Is that what it actually takes to shake our indifference and apathy and get some changes made?
Responsible armed and prepared citizens who can safely and properly use their firearms are MUCH harder to victimize.
Fight Crime: SHOOT BACK!
a-human-right.com
packing.org
And maybe if they stop stocking assault weapons at gun shops for criminals to get their hands on, then your local law enforcement wouldn%u2019t have such a difficult time apprehending criminals, because it places their lives in tremendous danger.
It%u2019s teenagers coming from middle-class suburban homes whose parents passionately contribute to this type of delinquency, so stop dancing around the problem pointing the finger at the wrong element.
There are too many people in denial and for the gentleman who argued I teach my children %u201Cgun safety%u201D, I%u2019m quite sure this parent also taught his son gun safety as well, they all claim that, but it%u2019s those kids coming from this type of environment that poses the real threat, because they are the ones committing these types of offenses.
The ones who at the age of 9 father takes him out into the woods and teaches him how to shoot deer or rabbit, or takes him out to the firing range, those like Cody Posey who killed his father, stepmother, and stepsister, and his late father owned 20+ guns.
It%u2019s not the so-called %u201Cstreet criminals%u201D that are committing these gratuitous acts of violence, but deeply disturbed, disgruntled teenagers coming from %u201Cgun-toting%u201D families with not one gun for protection, but 5-20 guns showcasing their pseudo-patriotism in defense of the 2nd Amendment.
It%u2019s these individuals that pose a huge danger to innocent people not the average street thug, because the typical street thug doesn%u2019t go to malls, restaurants, post offices, schools, etc, etc. and start randomly killing innocent people for no other reason than I was picked on at school, or I%u2019m tired of being labeled an %u201Coutcast%u201D.
It is these deeply disturbed children being socialized to value the ownership of many guns, including assault weapons, which no one really needs for home protection, a 12-gauged shotgun or 9mm works for me.
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Many things are wrong with the medi but it does its job. Think about that for a minuet.
Posted by truth_reason at 12:01 PM : Feb 13, 2007
+ report this comment
a-human-right.com
The Concealed Carry Database
packing.org
"If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun."
-- The Dalai Lama
And, he is now dead.
Therefore, he will never be able to explain to the world why he committed such a selfish act.
Innocent people are dead, for a reason that will NEVER be known.
All the arguing in the world will not get inside the head of this disturbed individual, to figure out what he was thinking, or to find any motives for his actions.
You can blame this act of violence on whatever you want...
Reality is...Nobody will ever know the truth.
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