Firefighters shot dead while responding to fire (Rochester, NY)

PhoenixAzul · #1 12-24-2012, 01:22 PM

Ugh, seriously? This has been a crap-tastic week.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012...ters-shot-dead

NPR
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/...hot-and-killed

My only thought was, "Fucks sake, what is this, Northern Ireland?"

AGDee · #2 12-24-2012, 01:52 PM

First responders won't go to one section of Detroit, termed a "delta zone", because of those kinds of incidents. Gangs would lure them in by setting a fire or making false 911 calls. They would also fire at ambulance personnel who were trying to provide medical treatment to rival gang members. This was true in the late 90s. I don't know if this is still true, but I would suspect it is.

Very sad story and my heart aches for the families of those killed as well as the people who have been evacuated/lost their homes.

Xidelt · #3 12-24-2012, 02:22 PM

This is my hometown. My mom called to tell me about it. She can see the smoke from the house.

Merry Christmas.

IrishLake · #4 12-24-2012, 03:00 PM

Many of you know my husband is a Columbus (OH) firefighter. He is PISSED about this, especially since it's Christmas Eve. Called the shooter a coward who wouldn't dare cross a FF without a gun. News here has reported the shooter was found dead.

And sadly, this is their reality. There is a house in his district where the owner has said he will shoot any cop or firefighter who sets foot on his property. There are paramedics who do wear kevlar.

adpimiz · #5 12-24-2012, 03:26 PM

How awful, especially on Christmas Eve. Prayers to their families.

CutiePie2000 · #6 12-24-2012, 05:14 PM

It doubly saddens me that the dead firefighters were volunteer firefighters, which is about as selfless as it gets. (One of the slain volunteer firefighters was also town police lieutenant.)

The perp who did this is the scum of the earth.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/12...tern-new-york/

adpimiz · #7 12-24-2012, 05:40 PM

Apparently the killer had been in prison before for the death of his grandmother. I'm not sure why they ever let him out.

AOII Angel · #8 12-24-2012, 08:45 PM

His sister, who lived with him, is apparently unaccounted for. I guess she doesn't want to answer questions as to why he had guns as a convicted felon, and why she didn't say anything.

SigKapSweetie · #9 12-25-2012, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adpimiz

Apparently the killer had been in prison before for the death of his grandmother. I'm not sure why they ever let him out.

Seriously. He beat his grandmother to death with a hammer, and he only served 17 years in prison. Clearly we did an excellent job of 'rehabilitating' him while he was there.

navane · #10 12-25-2012, 12:36 AM

Support for my brothers at West Webster Fire Department.

......Kelly

adpimiz · #11 12-25-2012, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigKapSweetie

Seriously. He beat his grandmother to death with a hammer, and he only served 17 years in prison. Clearly we did an excellent job of 'rehabilitating' him while he was there.

There is something wrong with the system when you can torture someone to death and only get 17 years. Ugh.

navane · #12 12-25-2012, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adpimiz

There is something wrong with the system when you can torture someone to death and only get 17 years. Ugh.

Just to clarify, my understanding is that he was originally charged with murder, but was allowed to plead guilty manslaughter instead. It was a lesser charge, but it allowed them to lock him up right away without having to go to trial. Manslaughter carries a sentence of 7 to 20 years; therefore, he did receive a sentence in alignment with the charge.

However, as others noted, 17 years in prison did not fix him and now 3 people are dead and many homes destroyed.

.....Kelly

ASTalumna06 · #13 12-25-2012, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

His sister, who lived with him, is apparently unaccounted for. I guess she doesn't want to answer questions as to why he had guns as a convicted felon, and why she didn't say anything.

I read earlier that the sister's body was found inside his house..

Has this been confirmed?

PM_Mama00 · #14 12-25-2012, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDee

First responders won't go to one section of Detroit, termed a "delta zone", because of those kinds of incidents. Gangs would lure them in by setting a fire or making false 911 calls. They would also fire at ambulance personnel who were trying to provide medical treatment to rival gang members. This was true in the late 90s. I don't know if this is still true, but I would suspect it is.

Very sad story and my heart aches for the families of those killed as well as the people who have been evacuated/lost their homes.

I'm not sure if there is a Delta zone still but my friend has some "fun" stories about being shot at. Such a dangerous job out there.

AOII Angel · #15 12-26-2012, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I read earlier that the sister's body was found inside his house..

Has this been confirmed?

I just read the same thing on CNN.

Quote:

It will be a challenge for the medical examiner to determine if William Spengler's sister -- 67-year-old Cheryl Spengler -- was killed before the fire was set, because it was a "raging inferno," Pickering said.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/25/us/new...html?hpt=hp_c2