12.06.07
The WestRoads Mall Shooting
As you may know, there was a shooting yesterday to the day I am typing this post at the Westroads Mall in Nebraska. 8 people were killed, and 5 were injured. The gunman, Robert Hawkins, eventually turned the gun on himself. 6 of the fatalities were employees, 2 were customers. I would like to extend my thoughts and prayers to the families that lost bloved loved ones in this tragedy and I wish the people who were injured well and quick recovery. Robert Hawkins was 19 years old, and had just lost his job and his girlfriend. I nearly get sick looking at his picture. It makes me so sad that there are people out there who need mental help like Hawkins, who don’t get it, and instead of resolving their problems, they go out and take innocent lives, people he’s never even met before who has never done ANYTHING to him. Hawkins, prior to the event, almost killed a friend over a CD player. If that’s not a warning sign I don’t know what is. I’m not pointing out the blame to anyone for not recognizing Hawkins’ problem, I’m just upset that by the time we do, 14 people have been shot. He left a suicide note, saying “I’m going out in style.” A couple of months ago on April 16, a gunman came into VIrginia Tech and killed 32 people. A couple of years ago several people were killed in the Columbine shooting, and yet people wanted to make an RPG of it. I know it is a chilling subject, but unfortunately things like this happen all the time. I’m not putting the picture of Robert HAwkins provided by Wikipedia because I can’t stand to see that man’s fact on my site every time I log in. I would like to also mention I put this in the Randomness category, thanks James, I did need that. I would like to let those families know they are in my prayers and I hope they’re in yours too.
 