Arkansas Democratic Chariman - Killed

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Tweetdespite what the article says, the Chairman has died.

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https://apnews.myway.com/article/20080813/D92HL02G0.html


LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A gunman barged into the Arkansas Democratic Party headquarters Wednesday morning and shot the state party chairman three times, critically wounding him, authorities and party officials said. The suspect was later shot during a 30-mile police chase and died, authorities said. Police said he was 51 years old, but have not identified him.

The gunman walked into the office and said he was interested in volunteering, said Sam Higginbotham, a 17-year-old volunteer at the headquarters.

"He said he was interested in volunteering, but that was obviously a lie," Higginbotham said. He said the man pushed his way past an employee to reach Chairman Bill Gwatney's office.

Police said the suspect entered the headquarters just before noon and fired three times. Authorities did not identify the victim, but Democratic Party officials confirmed it was Gwatney, a former state senator and a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention this month in Denver.

(AP) Police gather in front of the Democratic Party of Arkansas headquarters, right, near the Arkansas...
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Gwatney, 49, was hospitalized in critical condition.

Moments before the Democratic headquarters shooting, a man with a gun threatened the building manager of the Arkansas State Baptist Convention headquarters seven blocks away. It wasn't known if the incidents were related.

Dan Jordan, the denomination's business manager, said the building manager asked the man what was wrong and that he said, "I lost my job."

The suspect was chased into Grant County, south of the capital, and apprehended after being shot, police Lt. Terry Hastings said. Police fired at the man but it wasn't known whether he also suffered self-inflicted injuries.

Millie McLain, a reporter for the Sheridan Headlight newspaper, said the suspect's blue truck was turned sideways along Arkansas 46 northeast of Sheridan.

(AP) A Little Rock, Ark., police officer stands near the front of the Democratic Party of Arkansas...
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An impromptu vigil at University Hospital drew Gov. Mike Beebe and a number of state legislators who had worked with Gwatney.

"He's in very critical condition. The family is doing the best they can. They're shocked like the rest of us," said Sen. Bobby Glover.

There was a swift outpouring of support for Gwatney, from both his fellow Democrats and rival Republicans.

Former President Bill Clinton and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton issued a statement calling Gwatney "not only a strong chairman of Arkansas' Democratic Party, but he is also a cherished friend and confidante."

Presumed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said, "I was shocked and saddened to hear about the tragedy in Arkansas. We're all grateful for the quick action of law enforcement and quick thinking by Chairman Gwatney's staff, and Michelle and I are keeping him and his family in our prayers."

(AP) A police investigator leaves the Democratic Party of Arkansas headquarters in Little Rock, Ark.,...
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Karen Ray, executive director of the Republican Party of Arkansas, sent her workers home early "out of an abundance of caution."

"Our hearts go out to everyone at the Democratic headquarters. What a tragedy," Ray said. "This is just a very upsetting, troubling and scary thing for our staff as well."

The state Capitol was locked down for about an hour until police got word the shooter had been captured, said Arkansas State Capitol police Sgt. Charlie Brice.

House Majority Leader Steve Harrelson was at the state Capitol for a news conference on crime and that he didn't know of anyone who would want to harm Gwatney.

"You never think of something like this happening here in Arkansas," Harrelson said.

National Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean said the shooting was a shock.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Chairman Gwatney and his family and we pray for his full and speedy recovery," Dean said. "We commend the courageous and speedy action of law enforcement officials in apprehending the suspect."

Gwatney, who owns three General Motors car dealerships in and around Little Rock, served 10 years in the state Senate. Gwatney was Beebe's finance chairman during Beebe's run for governor in 2006.

Sarah Lee, a sales clerk at a flower shop across street from the party headquarters, said that around noon Gwatney's secretary ran into the shop and asked someone to call 911.

Lee said the secretary told her the man had come into the party's office and asked to speak with Gwatney. When the secretary said she wouldn't allow him to meet with Gwatney, the man went into his office and shot him, Lee said.

FBI spokesman Steve Frazier said his agency was assisting in the investigation but could not offer any details.

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