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Home › Politics

Alabama Shooting | 03/11/2009 9:15 am

Alabama Shooter Michael McLendon Kills at Least 9, Self

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© AP

Mankind is capable of absolutely horrific acts. If you don’t believe us, look no further than Alabama, where a gunman named Michael McLendon went on a shooting rampage that ended at least nine lives.

The nightmare began yesterday afternoon, when 27-year-old McLendon burned down his mother’s home and killed her before heading to see his grandparents, whom he proceeded to shoot before hopping on the highway and shooting at random people.

According to state Sen. Harri Anne Smith, "He was just driving down the street shooting at people sitting on their porches. A family was just sitting on the porch and they were shot." A sheriff deputy’s wife and baby were among the victims.

Police finally caught up with him at a local business, where McLendon fired off 30 rounds before turning the gun on himself.

There is no known motive for the brutal attack, which makes it all the more sickening.

Read more about: Alabama, crime, Michael McLendon, News, Shooting

47 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

f p
Yep let’s hear it for the NRA/
By f p on 03/11/2009 9:01 am
Libra Lady
This is a very sad story….my heart goes out to the victim’s families.  God bless them all.
By Libra Lady on 03/11/2009 9:16 am
Diana T

I wonder sometimes under any given circumstances how many people are among us (think Saturday at a shopping mall) with a loaded weapon, in a paranoid anger who is ready to do this if triggered in just the right way.  Anywhere, anytime.

Here in Lexington Ky. we are fortunate to have one of the 10 best independent booksellers in the country(Joseph-Beth).  This happened in the parking lot last week where  a person shot and killed his former friend.  Right in the parking lot!  And, the police had to cordon off the surrounding cars in order to take license numbers.  In fact, William Shatner, who lives in the next country, was one of the people who had to wait for the police to get fininshed with their work.

And, a few years ago, where my sister lives in N.Va., do you remember the man and the teenager who were snipers, shooting at random and no one knew where they would strike next?  Very disturbing, especially when it’s so easy to get and conceal weapons, no matter what the so-called laws are.

By Diana T on 03/11/2009 9:18 am
Diana T
type-o…William Shatner, who lives in the next county.
By Diana T on 03/11/2009 9:19 am
C Hardy
Diana,  I live in Va and work not far away from where those two cowards shot and almost killed the man outside of a Ponderosa steak house…it was pretty scary as my work is right off 95 and so walking to our cars, looking back on it now, was quick funny b/c people walked really fast in a zig zag way…and if you walked in a straight line you pretty much ran to your car.  People would get gas and jump in and our of their vehicle very fast.  It was pretty scary.  I give major koodos to that truck driver who had the balls to call them in when he say them at the rest area.
By C Hardy on 03/11/2009 9:58 am
Diana T
My sister had just been to the ear doctor in the parking structure at the Home Depot area about 2 hrs. before they started on their mad spree.
By Diana T on 03/11/2009 10:45 am
C Hardy
I am so glad those 2 got caught.  Great to hear your sister was not one of their victims.
By C Hardy on 03/11/2009 10:49 am
Diana T

There’s just been another incident in a Las Vegas Emergency Room; heard it on the noon news.  No one killed, except the police were able to kill the shooter.  Another one in Germany by a student today.  I know it’s the full moon,  but this is just awful…

By Diana T on 03/11/2009 11:24 am
Diana T
I wish people here would read this week’s Economist Magazine.  They have a large section of the problem with the warring factions of the Mexican Drug Cartels.  I thought most of the problem is at the borders, but I am sadly mistaken.  It’s all over, and the map is chilling.  But, you know where most of the guns come from?  The good ol’ USA.
By Diana T on 03/11/2009 11:26 am
C Hardy
The guns are coming from the USA b/c its such a profitable business.  Selling guns makes more money then seeling drugs.  Everyone wants the best and most powerful gun, just like they want the best and most powerful drug. 
By C Hardy on 03/11/2009 12:20 pm
caj p
I know this is not a popular idea and it will never come to pass but I sure would favor NO guns being sold at all it would save so many unnecessary deaths.  People get angry or hold grudges and the quickest answer to many is go and get a gun and solve the problem, I think it’s very sad and people will say "how could this happen"….well, it’s simple because guns are a must in this country and can be bought easily.  I know all about the 2nd amendment thanks so I don’t need to be reminded of that, but that law is antiquated and was drawn up years and years ago in a different time.  That is the way I have felt about the gun law for years and although as I said it will never happen ,my fervent wish is for someone to re-visit that old out dated gun law and bring into the 21st Century.  Any law can be changed if for the betterment of the people, nothing is written in stone even the Constitution. 
By caj p on 03/11/2009 9:42 am
C Hardy

Caj…Out lawing the sell of guns would be like out lawing alcohol.  Guns dont kill people, guns dont just go out and shoot someone, the People behind the guns do…There is no way of knowing when someone is going to snap & take another life or lives.  I have been around guns my whole life, keep a loaded one in my house, do I keep it away from my daughter, you bet, but it is where I can get to it IF I need it and I pray that I never will.  My parents always kept a loaded gun in our house, my sister and I knew where it was & we knew if we ever went close to it we got whooped. 

Do you really feel out lawing gun sales is the answer?  They would get them from thugs on the streets, like some do already. Do I feel we need stiffer gun show laws, YES.  When my husband bought his "off duty" weapon, it took over 3 hours to buy it b/c of all the security he had to go through, his badge wasnt enough.  I thought it was great!  We stood there, no complaints. The State of VA where you sell a gun you are supposed to go through a process and if you dont then you can be held responsible…

But out lawying guns is not the answer. 

By C Hardy on 03/11/2009 9:55 am
f p
Guns in this country will never be outlawed but strict and I mean strict sale and registration of firearms needs to be thoroughly upgraded and adhered to by all the states, esp the ones on the Mexican border where drug cartels get most of their weapons. 
By f p on 03/11/2009 10:11 am
C Hardy
Beau (frank) I agree.  I wish the laws were more strict; however, it wont stop the wrong people from getting a gun.  It will only ake it worse b/c they will be able to get their hands on worse guns that do more damage.
By C Hardy on 03/11/2009 10:48 am
caj p
You are wrong there, guns do kill people, the person only holds the weapon that kills the person!!  I’ve heard all this before but that is my opinion and knew it would get this reaction so I am not surprised. 
By caj p on 03/11/2009 10:20 am
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