Gunman shoots at emergency workers from smoke-filled St. Louis home

[helderheid]

Firefighter killed, 2 shot at burning Mo. house
Gunman shoots at emergency workers from smoke-filled St. Louis home



BREAKING NEWS
updated 6 minutes ago

MAPLEWOOD, Mo. - A suburban St. Louis firefighter was shot to death Monday and two other emergency workers were injured in a standoff with a gunman in a smoke-filled house.

The incident began with a report of a pickup truck fire Monday morning in Maplewood, a suburban town just southwest of St. Louis.

When firefighters arrived, someone began firing shots from a house that also appeared to be on fire. Police responded, and at least one officer was also reportedly struck.

St. Mary's Hospital spokesman Eric Clark said a firefighter/paramedic from Maplewood was killed. The victim's name was not released.

A Maplewood police officer was also taken to the hospital and was being treated for a gunshot wound to the right shoulder. Clark said his injury is not considered life-threatening.

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25781236/

[Mojorabbit]

1. I wonder

if the homeowner was committing suicide by fire. Perhaps being foreclosed on.

[helderheid]

2. that didn't occur to me but I could imagine that scenario.

[DS1]

3. Let it burn

[SheilaT]

4. If no firefighter had been hurt

(let alone killed which is genuinely tragic) this would be mildly amusing. And before you flame me, I am pointing out the logical absurdity of free-wheeling gun ownership. From the small amount of information available, I'm guessing the shooter inside was trying to commit suicide by fire (what an unpleasant way to go!) and was determined to succeed, even to the extent of murdering others.

Yes, I know that the most ardent supporters of gun ownership do not advocate what happened in St. Louis. On the other hand, will we see postings somewhere out there supporting the right of the shooter to violently protect his home from intrusion?

[stray cat]

5. Also, a good way to intentionally kill rescue workers if that was the goal

[shadowknows69]

6. Yep, seems to be easier ways to commit suicide

[aspergris]

11. People don't use the easy ways...

Especially when they are looking to make a statement.

I arrested a guy just last week for attempted arson/suicide, I mentioned in another thread.

Easy? In my state, insulin and needles are over the counter. Buy a bottle of insulin and shoot up 3 cc's and it's foolproof, non-messy, and doesn't make a spectacle.

We don't know if this guy was trying to commit suicide, or what his malfunction was, but it's a tragedy that a firefighter died, and a cop was shot, trying to help him

[Wednesdays]

8. If suicide was the motivation

wouldn't it be quicker and easier just to use the gun? :shrug:

[helderheid]

7. notherpic

[One_Life_To_Give]

9. Hope I am wrong

But I suspect that we will have a few more bodies before this is over.

[Forrest Greene]

10. Just Another Brave Right-Winger

...resisting government interference in his private life.

[High Plains]

12. Will they pry his gun from his smoking dead fingers?