My HS best friend (circa 1971 )opened fire on sheriffs deputies earlier this week....

[Rowdyboy]

Please forgive me if this is disjointed-its been three days but I'm still kind of in shock.

Roger is 58 now, an MD who owns a group of clinics in Mississippi. Apparently shortlly before midnight on Wednesday, police were summoned to his home on a domestic violence call. He met them at the door with a 12 gauge shotgun and refused several orders to put it down. When he pointed it at a deputy he was shot in the abdomen. Falling back into the house, he grabbed a semi-automatic pistol and started firing. According to some reports he is suspected of being drunk. No one was hurt and he was taken into custody quickly then rushed to surgery (which he survived). His wife, who I love almost as much was taken to the hospital with a "probable overdose". The next day investigators at the house carted off over 100 weapons, and had a "controlled detonation" of bomb-making materials found in the home.

We haven't been close in years. I can only remember 2 conversations since 1988 and neither of them went well. But from the ages of 17-21 we were nearly inseparable, closer than brothers until he left for medical school and I moved away. He was my other half and I was his. He worked his poor, working class ass off to get decent grades so he could achieve the only goal he ever had in his life-to be a healer. I guess thats all pretty much shot now.

I can't begin to imagine the hell his wife is experiencing and the total despair that he has descended into. His life, his work-his everything is over for the rest of his working career. Firing on sheriffs' deputies is frowned upon in south Mississippi as is bomb-making.

This isn't a pro-gun/anti-gun debate and I hope no one sees it that way. This is about my brother who has fucked up beyond belief and ruined his life. While we no longer have the connection we once did, he's such a fundamental part of me that its making me ill.

If anyone is interested, here's a link. Subtract the facial hair and 50 lbs from his picture and he's still the guy I loved so many years ago.

http://leadercall.com/local/x1118844592/ATF-bomb-squad-at-site-of-shooting-incident

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Oh, my dear Rowdyboy...

I am very sorry to hear all of this. I can believe it's making you ill...

I wonder what happened to him, to make him break this way.

Please take care of yourself...

[Rowdyboy]

3. Thats what I really don't understand...we didn't fool around with guns at all...

We did teen-aged boy stuff-drank beer and smoked pot but other than that he was totally non-violent, and the woman he married even more so. I feel like I've been punched in the gut without warning. This is the guy that had it all, that was living his dream.

I really wish I could understand. And thanks for the They're always nice but especially now.

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. I'm sorry RB

Sometimes the right road in life is easy to miss... except in the rear view mirror.

[Rowdyboy]

4. This guy did everything right....he had mediocre grades and shitty standardized test scores but

he worked his ass off studying and made it. I remember sitting up all night helping him study while he ran the front desk at a Holiday Inn in his college town. He had a vision and he achieved it. I think thats why its so heart-breaking to me.

[MADem]

5. Your distress is completely understandable.

Your friend needs a very good lawyer, a very good psychiatrist who will do a thorough screening which may help when it comes to sentencing or even what charges the authorities choose to press, and his wife needs a supportive word. I hope he has family who will stick with him. Do you think if you reached out to your old friend and his wife, it would help? If so, I say go for it.

I know someone who got into a similar fix, only it was a bit north of the Mason Dixon and the gun-brandishing homeowner was clearly suicidal. No one got shot--the family ran out of the house and the cops were able to talk him into handing over the weapons (he didn't have bomb making equipment, just a bunch of guns) and he went to jail, then to rehab, then to a diversionary program (he never had to go to a trial--his case was "continued without a finding" pending his jumping through a series of very specific hoops, and then to a parole-like arrangement where he is monitored). He managed to shut down the neighborhood for awhile, though while he thought about killing himself. Ironically, he worked in medicine too--I heard he's doing something very different, something "craft-y" that he got training for, but I can't remember what, and he's appropriately medicated and doing well. I wasn't close to this guy, though--more like a nodding acquaintance, but it was still a pretty surprising thing to learn about.

He must have been a very good friend indeed for this to affect you as it has. I'm so sorry for your trouble.

[Rowdyboy]

6. We've been very distant for so long that I'm not sure how they would take it....I'm afraid they

would misunderstand my motives. I really don't know. I'm sure he'll be charged and tried for assault and likely convicted. Right now all I can say is I'll play it by ear.

But thanks.

[MADem]

7. Maybe a note, to the wife, perhaps? I know what you mean, though.

It's sometime difficult to reconnect after so many years have passed. There's awkwardness at times, and people will question motives, particularly when it's a high-profile situation like your friend finds himself in.

You have a good heart. If it goes badly for the guy, he might have need of a friend "on the outside" after he is convicted.

[Rowdyboy]

8. Thats probably the route I'll take....I still have family in the area

and when things have died down a bit I know I really want to get in touch with her but timing is so incredibly important. And right now is not the time.

Thanks for the kind words. He always was a bit of an asshole but he's been in my life for 40 years and I'm not quite sure how to react.

[MADem]

15. I know how that is.

If you feel like it, let us know how it all works out. Hang in there.

[sgsmith]

9. "Bomb making materials"

Could be cop speak for black powder used in a musket. If your friend had 100 firearms, I wouldn't be surprised if that didn't include something that used powder, or if he loaded his own cartridges.

[Rowdyboy]

10. "...what we believe are bomb-making materials" is vague enough so maybe you're right...

Thanks. Its not much to hope for but its better than nothing.

[Irishonly]

11. I am so sorry n/t

[joeybee12]

12. Good Lord..our thoughts are with you...

I hope whatever has happened starts getting better for all involved.

[WillParkinson]

13. I can't say anything...

All I can offer. I wish you and your friend the best.

[Rowdyboy]

17. And it is much appreciated.......n/t

[xchrom]

14. best to you -- this must be very difficult. sorry. nt

[Rowdyboy]

18. Thanks....its just confusing and sad for me....for Roger and his family it must be hell

[William769]

16. I wish you the best of luck on your journey to sort this out.

I wish I could say more but at this point I just want you to know my thoughts are with you.

[Rowdyboy]

19. And they're much appreciated...My mom always said he was trouble....

Somewhere hopefully she is laughing her ass off.