Gunman Kills Top Arkansas Democrat

State's Chairman Bill Gwatney Shot Three Times At Party Headquarters; Shooter Dies After Police Chase

(CBS/ AP)  A man barged into the Arkansas Democratic headquarters and opened fire Wednesday, fatally shooting the state party chairman before speeding off in his pickup. Police later shot and killed the suspect after a 30-mile chase.

Police said they don't know the motive for the 51-year-old suspect, whose name has not been released. However, they said moments after the shooting, he pointed a handgun at the building manager at the nearby the Arkansas Baptist headquarters. He told the manager "I lost my job," said Dan Jordan, a Baptist convention official.

Chairman Bill Gwatney died four hours after the shooting. The 48-year-old former state senator had been planning to travel to the Democratic National Convention later this month as a Hillary Clinton superdelegate.

Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, issued a statement expressing their shock and sadness at Gwatney's death:

“We are deeply saddened by the news that Bill Gwatney has passed away. His leadership and commitment to Arkansas and this country have always inspired us and those who had the opportunity to know him. Our prayers are with his family during this time.”

Witnesses said the gunman entered the party offices shortly before noon and said he wanted to see Gwatney.

"He said he was interested in volunteering, but that was obviously a lie," said 17-year-old party volunteer Sam Higginbotham. He said the man then pushed past employees to reach the chairman's office, where he fired three times.

After the suspect avoided spike strips and a roadblock along U.S. 167 near Sheridan, police rammed his car, spinning it, said Grant County Sheriff Lance Huey. He got out of his truck and began shooting, and state police and sheriff's deputies fired back, striking him several times, he said.

The state Capitol was locked down for about an hour until police got word the gunman had been captured, said Arkansas State Capitol police Sgt. Charlie Brice.

Gov. Mike Beebe, a Democrat who served with Gwatney in the state Senate, had been on a flight to Springdale in northwestern Arkansas. He returned to Little Rock and joined an impromptu vigil at University Hospital after what he called a "shocking and senseless attack." Gwatney had been Beebe's finance chairman during the governor's 2006 campaign.

"Arkansas has lost a great son, and I have lost a great friend. There is deep pain in Arkansas tonight because of the sheer number of people who knew, respected and loved Bill Gwatney," Beebe said.

State Rep. Janet Johnson started to cry when she talked about Gwatney.

"This is like something you would see in New York or Pennsylvania or California, but not here," Johnson said.

Karen Ray, executive director of the Republican Party of Arkansas, sent her workers home early "out of an abundance of caution."

"Our hearts go out to everyone at the Democratic headquarters. What a tragedy," Ray said. "This is just a very upsetting, troubling and scary thing for our staff as well."

House Majority Leader Steve Harrelson was at the state Capitol for a news conference on crime and that he didn't know of anyone who would want to harm Gwatney.

"You never think of something like this happening here in Arkansas," said Harrelson.

Sarah Lee, a sales clerk at a flower shop across street from the party headquarters, said that around noon Gwatney's secretary ran into the shop and asked someone to call 911.

Lee said the secretary told her the man had come into the party's office and asked to speak with Gwatney. When the secretary said she wouldn't allow him to meet with Gwatney, the man went into his office and shot him, Lee said.

Last November, a distraught man wearing what appeared to be a bomb walked into a Clinton campaign office in New Hampshire and demanded to speak to the candidate about access to mental health care. A hostage drama dragged on for nearly six hours until he peacefully surrendered.

The confrontation brought Clinton's campaign to a standstill just five weeks before the New Hampshire primary. Security for her was increased as a precaution. She said she did not know the suspect.

[jerr11]

Hmm...

Rigging the polls in FL 2000 and OH 2004 apparently not enough for the neocons.

[dakotaclark]

Hmmm...

For some reason I believe this is just the tip of the iceberg.

More whackos, armed with a gun or a knife, or a crowbar, or a coffee pot, or whatever; will see to it that people connected to political parties will get justice, albeit the whacko''s perverted form of justice.

Obviously, there is impaired reasoning involved in such decisions.

Unfortunately, this perpetrator will not be the last.

[rudy654-2009]

Gee, another gunman going after "liberals." Hmm. Hate radio is really having success in brainwashing.

[lily1972]

not all Arkansans are rednecks.

[lochlan-2009]

"She said the secretary described the man as in his 40s and white and drove off in a blue truck."

So, a red neck, neo-con, murdering, hick. That''s what we expected.

[rudy654-2009]

not all Arkansans are rednecks.


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Posted by lily1972 at 02:21 PM

True. Many good people of all backgrounds live there.

[meanbiker]

"not all Arkansans are rednecks. " "Many good people of all backgrounds live there. " Like Bill Clinton.. lol

One down.. a few 100,000''s more to go.. Praise Allah..

[irliberal]

Another example of Limbaugh overdose. How much is too much? Well... it''s a little like antifreeze. Any amount is dangerous.

[misands]

I bet it turns out to be another suicidal trailer-trash conservative redneck angry at liberals for all of his problems. The talk about liberals/Democrats in the South is so nasty and hate-filled, that I''m not suprised to see right-wing nuts down there thinking they have some sort of justification for killing ''them *** Liberals''.

[mbcsmith]

Right wing neocon republicons and their moron attitudes for lack of gun control -


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Posted by zoe2006 at 02:29 PM : Aug 13, 2008


It''s called the 2nd amendment. Had Gwatney excercised that right, he would probably still be walking around.

[causseway_m]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

[mbcsmith]

I bet it turns out to be another suicidal trailer-trash conservative redneck angry at liberals for all of his problems. The talk about liberals/Democrats in the South is so nasty and hate-filled, that I''''m not suprised to see right-wing nuts down there thinking they have some sort of justification for killing ''''them *** Liberals''''.


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Posted by misands at 02:41 PM : Aug 13, 2008



LIB elitism anyone?

[donevis-2009]

Its reported the chairman owns three auto dealerships. The shooter probably bought a lemon, maybe a Hugo.

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by DONEVIS at 02:44 PM

Spoken like a true dittohead.

[gop_forever]

DONEVIS, there is such a thing as out of season for libs?

[misands]

LIB elitism anyone?
- mbcsmith
____
If reality is ''elitism'' to you, than so be it! Of course coming from a supporter of the wealthy-loving elitist GOP, maybe you would know.

[notblue]

According to most of the libs that frequent these posts, fellow conservative Americans are nothing morethan knuckle dragging, toothless, nascar loving, gun loving, trailer trash. Wonder why there is a divide in America today? Just read the posts here at leftwing central.

[misands]

According to most of the libs that frequent these posts, fellow conservative Americans are nothing morethan knuckle dragging, toothless, nascar loving, gun loving, trailer trash. Wonder why there is a divide in America today? Just read the posts here at leftwing central.
-notblue
____
Perhaps if you guys would quit fitting the sterotype, we would quit associating you with those traits.

[donevis-2009]

Wheres *** Cheney?

[mrmazerati]

By reading these comments, I think it''s becoming plain what the GOP stands for. They endorse murder of those with opposing viewpoints, they rejoice in slaughter. I am more convinced than ever that I must vote Democratic in November, no matter what my personal opinions are.

[concorde5]

Rush Limbaugh is probably very happy. His listeners are nuts! They are the types to do this sort of thing.

[causseway_m]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[neoconslayer]

GOP_forever: Shouldn''t you be home trying to keep your mother''s mouth out of that Arab fellow''s crotch instead of revealing to the world that you are a sub-human lump of trash?

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by notblue at 02:47 PM

And according to people like you, anyone who disagrees with you is nothing but a liberal, Muslim, Terrorist Loving Enemy from within. You people are clearly one sided in all your views.

[irliberal]

... fellow conservative Americans are nothing morethan knuckle dragging, toothless, nascar loving, gun loving, trailer trash.

Posted by notblue at 02:47 PM

Now they''re you''re just wrong. They''re not conservative at all. The destruction of our economy over the past eight years proves that.

[checkthepast]

But isn''t the ACLU suing the government agencies in Arkansas for trying to stop street shootings?

[causseway_m]

Just getting warmed up for the superstar....

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by raflin1 at 02:51 PM

If true, that would be a serious illustration of the problem.

[drillusion4u]

take the guns away from all nra members!!

[wlmrtpatriot]

This is a sad tragedy. I''m sorry this happened. Is Little Rock near Mena?

[misands]

But isn''''t the ACLU suing the government agencies in Arkansas for trying to stop street shootings?
-checkthepast
______
The ACLU is trying to prevent Arkansas from acting like they are a part of the old Soviet Union.
Isn''t it funny how these supposedly "anti-big government" Republicans are alsways the first to support a police state!

[mbcsmith]

By reading these comments, I think it''''s becoming plain what the GOP stands for. They endorse murder of those with opposing viewpoints, they rejoice in slaughter. I am more convinced than ever that I must vote Democratic in November, no matter what my personal opinions are.


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Posted by mrmazerati at 02:49 PM : Aug 13, 2008



LOL...LOL again. Are your fragile sensitivities hurt? Not PC enough for you LIB?


Ever seen a LIB on here calling for the LYNCHING of a U.S. President? I have.

[drillusion4u]

this is bull$hit!! white trash a$$holes running around shooting people!!

[donevis-2009]

DONEVIS, there is such a thing as out of season for libs?

Posted by GOP_forever at 02:46 PM : Aug 13, 2008

Hey Gop; Is that a statment or question?

[gop_forever]

Hey Gop; Is that a statment or question? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted by DONEVIS
==================
Statement ofcourse.

[misands]

Ever seen a LIB on here calling for the LYNCHING of a U.S. President? I have.
- mbcsmith
_____
And if memory serves me correctly, I remember you people on the right saying the same hateful stuff about Bill Clinton. mbcsith, why don''t you give the BS and hypocracy a rest!

[dubya_luvr]

Just getting warmed up for the superstar....
Posted by causseway_m at 02:51 PM : Aug 13, 2008

Look closely, people. This is the true face of the Republican party. They cheer violence against Americans who have beliefs they dislike...just like muslim terrorists do.

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by tiddsanbeer at 02:55 PM

He was justified, eh? And of course you completely understand.

[irliberal]

Any number of things that will drive a sane, white, working man crazy.

Posted by tiddsanbeer at 02:55 PM

...and so the "crazy" man is entitled to murder with a gun.

Fool. Bigot. Who will be in the headlines next with a gun? You?

[mbcsmith]

And if memory serves me correctly, I remember you people on the right saying the same hateful stuff about Bill Clinton. mbcsith, why don''''t you give the BS and hypocracy a rest!


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Posted by misands at 02:56 PM : Aug 13, 2008



LOL...LOL again. Are your fragile sensitivities hurt? Not PC enough for you LIB?


Ever seen a LIB on here calling for the LYNCHING of a U.S. President? I have.

[joker1944-2009]

Hmmmm...I wonder if it''ll it turn out that this is ANOTHER weakminded redneck nut spoon fed on the rightwing media''s propaganda about how libs and dems are to blame for everything that''s gone wrong with the nation?

[rudy654-2009]

Just understanding what may CAUSE that kind of action.


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Posted by tiddsanbeer at 02:58 PM

Of course.

[gop_forever]

GOP_forever: Shouldn''''t you be home trying to keep your mother''''s mouth out of that Arab fellow''''s crotch instead of revealing to the world that you are a sub-human lump of trash? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted by neoconslayer
===========================
How unchristianlike of you to post such statements. My mother is no snitch either.

[three-o-six]

Of course he was justified - he shot a democrat (I think you can find them on your varmit license)

[misands]

Any number of things that will drive a sane, white, working man crazy.
-tiddsanbeer
___
Is that how you describe yourselves...I would say ya''ll are more like a pack of angry Barney Rubbles, hunkered around the right-winged radio, being spoon-fed mindless garbage that convinces you that liberals are to blame for all of your problems and short-comings in life.

[irliberal]

Of course he was justified - he shot a democrat (I think you can find them on your varmit license)

Posted by three-o-six at 03:00 PM

Spoken like a "man" whose last dental appointment was in 1962.

[rudy654-2009]

Ever seen a LIB on here calling for the LYNCHING of a U.S. President? I have.




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Posted by mbcsmith at 02:58 PM

Problem with that is anybody who doesn''t agree with you is a "lib." So if somebody calls for lynching the pres. you automatically assume its a lib. But then if a person is opposed to death penalty, you also call them a lib. See, you are so full of krap.

[mbcsmith]

Is that how you describe yourselves...I would say ya''''ll are more like a pack of angry Barney Rubbles, hunkered around the right-winged radio, being spoon-fed mindless garbage that convinces you that liberals are to blame for all of your problems and short-comings in life.


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Posted by misands at 03:01 PM : Aug 13, 2008



Gee, you don''t sound bigoted or elitist at all.

[mbcsmith]

Problem with that is anybody who doesn''''t agree with you is a "lib." So if somebody calls for lynching the pres. you automatically assume its a lib. But then if a person is opposed to death penalty, you also call them a lib. See, you are so full of krap.


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Posted by rudy654 at 03:01 PM : Aug 13, 2008



TYPICAL LIB.

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by mbcsmith at 03:03 PM

Typical scum!