Wife of Marine in Texas slayings found dead in NC

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: Associated Press

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — A Marine killed after going on a shooting spree that left one person dead and several hospitalized in Texas also is suspected of fatally stabbing his wife, whose body was found in a North Carolina motel room hours after the rampage, police said Tuesday.

Rubi Estefania Smith of Bakersfield, Calif., was found dead Sunday afternoon in a motel room near Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, N.C., police said in a news release. She was the wife of Esteban J. Smith, a 23-year-old Marine who died Sunday in a gunfight with Texas authorities.

Police spokeswoman Beth Purcell said Rubi Estefania Smith appears to have died from a knife wound.

Esteban Smith is suspected in a West Texas shooting rampage that left one woman dead and five others wounded. An assault rifle, handgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were recovered from Smith's vehicle.



Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/texas/article/Wife-of-Marine-in-Texas-slayings-found-dead-in-NC-4553609.php

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He was also sought for questioning in another homicide in North Carolina before the shooting rampage.

Texas Shooting Suspect Wanted For Questioning in East Coast Homicide
EDEN, Texas (AP) -- Officials say a Marine suspected in a string of West Texas shootings that left one person dead and five wounded was sought for questioning in a North Carolina homicide.

Master Sgt. Jonathan Cress at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, N.C., said Monday that the Marine was wanted for questioning in a homicide in nearby Jacksonville, N.C.
http://www.wctv.tv/news/headlines/Texas-Shooting-Suspect-Allegedly-Committed-NC-Homicide-209107551.html

[premium]

1. PTSD possibly?

Wonder how many combat tours he had under his belt and if this might be a contributing factor?

[shenmue]

2. Just awful

[starroute]

3. Camp LeJeune seems to have more than its share of killings

From a month ago:
http://www.wral.com/camp-lejeune-marine-girlfriend-face-murder-charge-in-wife-s-death/12316866/

Another recent story about an arrest in a December shooting:
http://www.jdnews.com/news/crime/arrest-made-in-deadly-bingo-hall-shooting-1.127549

Here's a story from 2009:
http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/69368877.html

Another older story about a murder in 2007:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20013475-504083.html

And that's just what turns up in a quick online search. I suspect the mental health services are not all they should be.

[SoapBox]

4. ...what a nut.

And how many people have known that this guy was bonkers?

[Paladin]

5. Trying to emulate Charles Whitman.

Whitman was a Marine with Camp Lejeune experience who stabbed his wife to death before going on a mass shooting spree on the University of Texas at Austin campus in 1966. He was subsequently killed by law enforcement personnel.

Back when Whitman did it, there were TV specials about it and it was the cover story on the next issues of "Time" and "Life." This latest incident barely makes a blip, news-wise. You DU Gun Enthusiasts can chant all you want about lower gun violence rates and the sensationalist nature of the media, but there's just no avoiding the fact that something has gone very wrong with gun usage in this country.

[L0oniX]

6. A Marine going bizzerk? Wow ...whodathunkit

[SoCalMusicLover]

7. Wrap That Guy Up In An American Flag

He's a hero and a Good Guy with a gun.

Thank him for his service, and his defense of the right to bear arms.