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Courtesy of the Shevchenko family
Kristina Shevchenko, 15, was hospitalized Tuesday night after being shot by a gunman at Clackamas Town Center in Portland, Ore.
Updated at 1:30 p.m. ET -- A teenager from Oregon faces a “long road to recovery” after surviving her second brush with death in just the past few months.
Kristina Shevchenko, 15, was rushed to a hospital Tuesday in critical condition after a masked gunman sprayed bullets around a suburban Portland, Ore., mall during the height of holiday shopping season, piercing her chest. After surgery, she was in stable condition, according to a statement from her family.
Her family continued to update supporters on her condition via a Facebook page on Wednesday, with her brother, Yevgeniy, writing early in the morning, "The bullet went through bruising her lung, it missed any vital organs and it missed her ribs. She will need 2 more operations. we appreciate any and all support including your prayers! Thank you."
In another post, Shevchenko's family revealed something else: Over the summer, Shevchenko had survived another fatal encounter.
"Many of you have noticed the earlier tragedy that happened in our family a couple months ago where 7 of my siblings and 2 friends were involved in a fatal car accident. You could read it online for yourself, but yes it did happen and yes Kristina was in that car accident," the post read, and linked to an article about a Beaverton, Ore., man who was killed after veering into a van driven by a 27-year-old member of the Shevchenko family.
Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts identifies the victims of a deadly shooting at an Oregon mall, saying there was "no apparent relationship" between the two and the shooter.
Oregon mall gunman ID'd; motive unclear
The crash happened in Vancouver, Wash., in August, and alcohol was believed to have been a factor, Vancouver police told Columbian.com. Multiple teens and adults were in the van when the driver -- Alberto Perez Garcia, 25 -- veered into it, they said. The driver and at least two other adults had been hospitalized at the time.
In a statement, the family described Shevchenko as a "happy child" who is "active in church," and said "by the mercy of God she is now in stable condition, but has a long road to recovery."
Shevchenko, who had been with a friend when she was shot, regularly walked through the mall around the time of the shooting -- which happened at about 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday -- to get home from school, her family said.
The motive for the shooting, which sent Christmas shoppers and people waiting in line to see Santa running for cover, wasn't clear.
Several witnesses reported hearing the gunman, identified as Jacob Tyler Roberts, 22, announce, "I am the shooter," before he began firing.
"All of a sudden, I just heard a series of gunshots… boom, boom, boom, boom, boom… whatever the shooter was shooting at, they continued to shoot," shopper Bill Hoff told NBC station KGW.
Macy's employee Mariah Saldana told KGW that she was sitting by the door "watching what was going on, and then some guy just ran by in a white mask and an assault rifle, and then I look out because I hear a few shots and he's … and he’s sitting there and he's pointing the gun at some people."
Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts discusses the gunman who opened fire at a Portland-area mall, saying it "looked to be a random shooting."
More content from NBCNews.com:
- Oregon shopping mall gunman identified; motive unclear
- Girl, 15, shot in Oregon mall cheats death twice
- 'Unique' smuggling attempt: $42,500-worth of marijuana shot into Ariz. by cannon
- Much-criticized 'drum major' quote on Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial to be removed
- Video: Driver ticketed for truck covered in Christmas lights
Leave a Comment:
What a tragedy. I hope this poor girl has the strength to recover.
amen.
Ditto.
Wish this young lady the best. Once again to Elizabeth Chuck,NBC news. It's not the holiday shopping season it's the Christmas shopping season you jack ass. We live in America.
^^ Yeah, you live in America. Doesn't mean everyones Christian or Catholic.
Moron.
Shes being PC
Actually it is the Holiday Season. Since we do live in America we aren't a Christian nation but a nation of religious freedom, so not every one is Christian..therefore it is not the Christmas season for everyone. But it is one with holidays. I am proud to live in a country were I can be any religion I desire. And proud that my husband spent over 20 years in the military defending that right. BTW December 25th started out as a pagan holiday and many of our traditions of Christmas stem from paganism as well. I seriously doubt Jesus enjoys the materialism that the holiday shopping season brings out to celebrate his birth.
Okicize will be telling us next how if everyone had a gun at the mall that this wouldn't have happened.
ok, not everyone is christian or catholic, but you do know that "christmas" celebrates christ's birth...right?
Christmas is a holiday Einstein.
Now we argue about that. Poor girl. But at least its not like the last shooting where that one girl survived a mall shooting, just to die in the theater. Im glad that many of the people shot seem to be getting better, and the gunman is down for good.
@Okicize Wicasa Yata Pi: Apparently you are not aware that there are multiple celebrations this time of year. We are currently in the middle of Hanukkah, Kwanza is coming up, Winter Solstice is right around the corner, and then there is New Years, as well as many I am leaving out. Now, apparently you are also not aware that people of all religions, nationalities, ethnicities, etc. live in the United States of America. Deal with it darling, Christians are not the only group that counts.
What kind of loving God do you have here, folks? First He lets this girl get hit in a head-on crash. Then she gets shot. Sounds like the imaginary Father God doesn't like her very much. But given that He had his own son killed, nothing surprises me. This is one mean God!
@KarlStevens
Extremes are bad, one way, or the other. I'm not a religious person, but being disrespectful isn't going to change anyone's point of view.
I wish the girl a speedy recovery.
And...we've got folks derailing the Vine with their personal agenda.
As for me:
Wishing this little gal strength and support.
Wow this is one tough girl. I hope she stays stable and fully recovers. If she doesn't get anxiety or something from everything she's been through, she won't be intimidated by much in life.
Go Karl! Turn this tragedy into some anti-belief campaign! Any tolerant reasonable atheist might be ashamed though. It's ok your an anti-believer we understand. At least desrtmo has enough common sense to not be an ass. But hey, Karl, if you know God doesn't exist you're welcome to explain how it's impossible :D
Yes, we live in the melting pot America.
Right now it is Hanukkah, so I'll correct you: It's the Hanukkah shopping season currently.
Why are you so testy?
Trying to decide if this is another glass-half-full or glass-half-empty situation in her life. She's alive while others aren't. I'd say glass-half-full. Good on her.
I'm hoping this young girl gets to ask the NRA some serious questions.
Why aren't we hearing PROTEST from gun owners on those who have semi-automatic rifles...and can't keep them responsibly ?
He opened fire with an AR 15 semi-automatic rifle that he had stolen from a person he knew.
Was the gun locked up?
And why would anyone need an AR 15 semi-automatic rifle?
And, why wasn't the stolen gun reported?
OrangeJello, good for you but the fact is there are way too many people who are irresponsible gun-owners who should not possess auto weapons of the sort this man used. The problem is the NRA seems to think everyone should have a weapon like that so that they can do just like this idiot did. At least the courts won't be bothered with trying him.
This may be Hannukah, or whatever else you want to call it but for as long as I can remember and probably my parents if they were still alive it is CHRISTMAS season. If you atheists don't like it, go to N. Korea where I'm sure you'd be welcome.
"And why would anyone need an AR 15 semi-automatic rifle?"
Once you start getting into the concept of NEED, you're heading down a real slippery slope. Why would anyone NEED a big-screen TV, they can watch the game on a small screen? Why would anyone NEED a big SUV, a Prius will get you around just as well? It's not about need, it's about freedom of choice. And the AR15 is not nearly as powerful as many hunting rifles, so don't be fooled by the media's attempt to use certain buzz-words to manipulate public opinion.
"The problem is the NRA seems to think everyone should have a weapon like that so that they can do just like this idiot did."
Not true. The NRA promotes responsible firearm possession and use. No responsible gun owner - and I like to think I'm one - believes that everyone should have access to firearms.
BTW, Ed Orr, I'm an atheist (I swear to God I am) and I'm a big Christmas fan. Not so much for the religious aspect, but the lights, music, and "good will." So - for whatever you or anybody else believes, I wish you a Merry Christmas.
Wishing this young lady the best and a speedy recovery
Well said stone cold and Orangejello
LOL RI MOM,
Post 1.12 griping about people and their personal agenda, taking the high road and wishing her the best,
Less than an hour later in post 1.16, you are derailing with your personal agenda, nice hypocrisy
@
Carl Stevens:
Glad to see that at least you believe in God! And, if you are right in your
estimation of God's character as being "one mean God" I would highly
recommend that you avoid offending him!
I am of the opinion that you happen to be quite wrong about him because he
allowed his Son to willingly sacrifice his own life so that you could be
forgiven for such ignorant rants. This girl has survived two tragic events and
so far her faith in this God that you so much despise is hardly shaken. And I
find it quite telling that you have no criticism for the evil one that
perpetrated this vile wicked crime against her but rather are harshly critical
of the very God who sacrificed his own son to save you and her from sin. How is
it that this is "one mean God" but the obvious evil actions that are
contrary to all that God has taught us is not worthy of your attention in the
least. The evil one inspired it and God allowed it but you are critical only of
God who allowed this wicked person to choose what he would do with his life. I suppose you would have preferred that God stop him from making choices against His will?
Should he do that to everyone, including you? If God should decide to destroy all those who
oppose his will in any way who would be left, you? I do doubt it.
Even if you could prove that God is “mean” it would not help you to prove that he
does not exist. That would be an impossibility, friend. The fact that he is “mean”, if true, would definitely prove that he exists. God exist but you do not like him? Well, you can bet on one thing, friend, He is
not going away just because you do not like him.
And if you think he does not exist then why blame one that does not exist in order to avoid criticizing the criminal that does exist and actually perpetrated this wicked vile crime? In either case whether believing in God only enough to blame Him for allowing us all to live even when we choose to disobey
Him and do wicked things with our lives or blaming one that you do not even
believe exist for a crime that he allowed to happen simply because he did not
exist you show nothing but foolishness. And failing to criticize the evil one
who inspired this wickedness in the heart of the vile person who committed it
you demonstrate a genuine lack of real concern about what happened in the first
place! Your only apparent purpose in commenting is to use this event as a means
of leading even more people to despise and disobey God which is the real cause
of this kind of problem in the first place! How foolish could one ever be about
such things?
If you honestly think God is mean because of events like this one that happen because someone who disobeyed God committed an awful crime against humanity as well then you are a fool. I can tell you now that everyone except fools like you knows that if all obeyed God this kind of thing would not happen. If God grants you the freedom to choose to obey Him or not why should he not grant the same right to everyone else including those who will harm their fellow man when they disobey God? Man commits a vile crime against his fellow man in the process of disobeying God and you are dumb enough to blame God? That is the answer, isn’t it? Blame God, deny he even exists and then these kinds of crimes will just go away, right? I sincerely doubt it! I recommend encouraging people to believe in and
obey God which would do far more to prevent these crimes than anything else we
could do.
Bee sting = beast ing
I sincerely hope someone answers my question here but why are some of you spouting your religious and political BS in your posts?
Seriously can't some of you get over yourselves long enough to have some sympathy for a girl who's already going through something terrible? Or are you guys seriously big enough dickmuffins to be so selfish that you have to come off sounding like mentally deficient 5 year olds who are fighting over the color of sand?
NOBODY but yourselves care what your religious preferences are. Wish the kid well and move the hell on and stop acting like you guys have a mental age less than this girl the article is talking about.
If you don't have someone make connections how are people going to know why these people are losing it?
They just went insane.
Well, why did they go bat sh#t crazy?
It's about prevention. Not religion.
I myself didn't know why they were doing this until the last year.
And if I know, and no one else does, including trained psychologists, then I think I should offer my guesses.
You can steal a pack of gum without much consequence. But when you engage in behaviors which violate the law to the point that it constitutes a felony, its a misuse of authority which could destroy their futures.
And there will be severe consequences for that.
1.21
Tracy: So you think this shooting is LOL ? ? ?
I want that child HEALTHY and RECUPERATED enough to look Wayne LaPierre in the eye and ask that silent NRA COWARD some hard questions.
Reminder:
Aurora shooter had a 100 round drum magazine for his AR-15 too.
(Wayne La Pierre said NOTHING...except BLAMING the President.)
The NRA is a fear mongering supporter of ASSAULT WEAPONS...that isn't "sport"...it's a weapon for KILLING with a spray of bullets.
Again, ASSAULT WEAPONS KILL PEOPLE..... and apparently history goes unheeded...... This time: an UNLOCKED ASSAULT RIFLE was stolen and NOT REPORTED by the gun owner.
BTW: your LOL is sadly pathetic.
And oange brain...leaves his guns out in his room ? ? ? and brags ?
I agree. I think sometimes when people switch forums that they forget to operate according newsvine standards.
RI Mom - your arguments would be more viable if your terminology was more accurate. The term "assault weapon" refers to a weapon that can fire either semi- or full-automatic, depending on the position of a selector switch. Such a weapon is not allowed to be in civilian hands, unless they go through STRINGENT background checks. Do some people break the law and have such a weapon anyway? Of course they do, but there's some real harsh penalties if they're caught.
A SEMI-AUTOMATIC weapon, on the other hand, will fire 1 shot and only 1 shot with each pull of the trigger. The AR15 that was used here was a semi-automatic; a civilian version of the military M16/M4. My AR15 has no higher rate of fire than my semi-auto .22 - both are legal for civilian ownership. The Clintons, Pelosis, etc; want to ban the AR15 simply because it LOOKS badass.
I seriously doubt you can prove your contention that the NRA supports "assault weapon" possession.
If, as you stated, the gun was stolen and the owner didn't report it, he/she should be hit with some pretty heavy penalties. I know if any of my guns were stolen, the first thing I'd do is file a report. Because if that gun was used to commit a crime, I'd have proof that it was no longer in my possession.
1.30
My "argument"
is based on NRA postings:
http://www.nraila.org/news-issues/articles/2010/hunting-with-modern-semi-automatic-rifl.aspx
and the fact that this kind of weapon has been used for INTENDED MASSACRES.... if that isn't an "assault"... then what is?
That "badass" WEAPON was used in the theater shooting last July in Aurora.
Don't lecture me about "hunters".... something that carries rounds of ammunition is a weapon.
If you want to look "cool" .... take a picture, then LOCK THE DAMN THING UP.
Kathy0715: I must have missed the part where the Kwanza Claus ran for cover when the shooting started. I thought it read that "Santa Claus" ran for cover. Wrong "holiday" I guess.
At the risk of being un-PC, I wish the girl a speedy recovery and will include her in my prayers.
My heart goes out to this girl! Hope she has lots of people around her to support her through this rough year!
Nine people in a car? Shevchenko does not sound like a Hispanic name to me.
It was a church van.
And that's an incredibly inappropriate and racist statement.
way to go Joe, you are the Douche of the day.
Jesus Christ, dude!!! WTF??
Its not racist, it is stereotyping. Hispanic is not a race. Thank you Abby I was not aware it was a church van that makes more sense.
Nice try at trying to save yourself Joe, but you're the one who exposed your prejudice.
was the Hispanic van crossing a fence?
Church van? Then clearly the crash was God's will.
Rick never tried to cover anything I did not deny my prejudice.
Holy panties-in-a-bunch people. Humor is a healthy way of dealing with tragedy.
I would have gone with a clown car instead of Mexicans. But either way.
Maybe someone came back from the future to kill her....oh, wait...someone said she's Hispanic.....nevermind, they don't work in the future either, no harm.
Wow maybe. You are a sad, pathetic excuse for a human being...taking a tragedy like this...to spout your hatred and anger..... you must be a very, very unhappy person...i'd say a man but you're obviously the farthest thing from a man there is....more like a punk.
Sticks and stones
Lighten up tz, I got that from a CARLOS MENCIA joke, he's a HISPANIC. See what i just did there; "A HISPANIC"? It's a joke. I'd say you were a woman but you're obviously a stuck-up WHITE middle (LOW) class bitch who hasn't been touched with an emotion other than anger in awhile. Have a nice day, no harm.
^ I agree with Maybe
Yeah, I like Joe more than tz. Get over yourself tz.
feliz navidad
O don't think Shevenko is Hispanic, more likely Russian or something like that. I also remember it was the other driver's fault, he was hispanic.
I wish this girl nothing but a quick recovery from her injury, and not to decide it is dangerous to be a Christian.
Aren't you just a charming bag of little cocks.
Bless her heart, I hope she makes a full recovery.
Metal detectors and airport scanners at all mall entrances,
wheeleed Robotic un-armed sentry's patrolling main floors of mall,
mall security guards armed with assault rifles with biometric security on weapons.
This is the way eventually the malls will have to go.
I just hope the police caught the guy and were able to kill this creep.
John, the shooter is dead by his own hand. After killing two innocent by-standers and injuring the girl in the story, he took is own life. This tragedy could have been so much worse. Police say there was approximately 10,000 people in the mall yesterday and the shooter released many rounds. Truly terrifying, I don't live very far from this mall and I'm thankful that me or any member of my family was there yesterday.
JohnPA,
He Killed Himself...
He's dead. Shot himself
How did this guy get all the way through Macys with an assault rifle. wearing a mask, to arrive at the food court unnoticed?
Maybe nobody was shopping at Macys?
So......... What, was he pissed at McDonalds for crappy food? or did he have a phobia about the hats the ladies wear at dog-on -a stick? Bill O'Reilly will call this a REAL war on Christmas.
At least this time he didn't forget to shoot himself. Now he will be spared all those speeches...
We will not have to pay for his incarceration, lawyers, trial, jury, and prison for the rest of his life. Sorry he took his own life but saved us as taxpayers a lot. Thoughts to the families of the victims and praying this girl recovers quickly and completely.
God Bless. Hope she does not try for a third time. That is pushing it.
She'd better home something else is "blessing" her as that God has failed twice.
God has NEVER failed her RICK! andf HE NEVER will!
LOL! So minia, you contend that this God intended her to be nearly killed in a car wreck and then shot?
Seems to me God has been there twice. Just a matter of how you perceive and what you believe!
Giving god credit/blame for stuff like this is stupid. If god gets the credit for this girl being lucky twice, he gets the blame for all the people around the world that aren't lucky, and die in horrific ways every single day. He gets the blame for crack babies. He gets the blame for child soldiers. He gets the blame for the people all over the world the starve to death every single day.
If your god exists he is an evil disgusting being that gets glee from watching pain and misery.
The truth is, this girl was horribly unlucky twice. Just not as unlucky as some.
Ever read the book of Job where God allowed Satan to attack Job and his family? God does not promise to put a magical shield around his followers. We still have to live in the world. And because God insists on giving people free will, there will always be people who choose to do evil, including harming innocent people.
She is still alive, isnt she? Cant have it both ways. Cant be angry and discredit God. That acknowledges that God has to exist in order for you to blame him. And who said he failed? Anyways... lets focus on the important part of this article instead of ranting about God...
Glad she is still alive. A real fighter! I hope for a quick recovery and protection for her family!
Since your God is toying with this person, he must be one sick and twisted Mother *$@*&$#...
Larry1966, It's a book, a fairy tale.
Larry, seriously! This all-knowing and all powerful god gives people free choice. So this god knows the gunman is going to choose to shoot innocent people, yet does nothing to stop such action or protect those people. That's insane!!
Thank you Larry1966, people forget about our free will, choices we are able to make and faith.
She has a strong soul and a fighter, I am grateful she is alive; she has a purpose in this world.
My prayers with those hurt in this terrible tragedy and those that lost loved ones. My gratitude to those that helped rescue, consoled and gave medical attention to everyone in this tragic event.
Wow, the athiest are out today, Life isn't about a rosey garden and riches it's about the victories, challenges, relationships and the impacts we make. As one can tell evil has and is running a muck From a biblical position the earth is under the devils reign (for now) It's by grace through the presence of the holy spirit that's full fullishness hasen't taken full control. You want to see what happens when the so called Spirit of God is removed (as non believers would call it) don't woryy it will happen nut becareful what you ask for, remember the will of man (woman) is not generally good without grace in their instruction.
"Spirit of God is removed" Right! Remember Jim Jones or how about Charlie Manson?
These threads will show that the angry atheists will use any tragedy to spew their ignorant hate. We have free will, the man shot people on his free will, the girl was there on her free will. We're not robots. Stuff happens and we all need to work through it, not use every thread to preach against God because we're angry at the world.
God follows the Federation's, Star Trek's, and Starfleet's "Prime Directive" of not interfering in the internal development of alien civilizations.
RichT, biblically speaking, it's sacrilege to suggest that the earth is "under the devil's reign".
Mr. Burns, don't be silly. I am not remotely angry, nor do I hate anyone. and it was not that girls free will to be shot.
And when no "free will" is involved. Like tsunamis and babies born with birth defects, or children getting cancer? Where's your god then?
What kind of loving God do you have here, folks? First He lets this girl get hit in a head-on crash. Then she gets shot. Sounds like the imaginary Father God doesn't like her very much. But given that He had his own son killed, and allows Satan to run around having fun, nothing surprises me about this man in the sky. He is one mean God!
If these two brushes with death are signs of "God's mercy" I'll take my chances with Satan. She was taken to a hospital where doctors apply science, and thankfully not a church for some vigorous prayer chanting for more of that sweet, sweet mercy.
Rick, it was the gunman's free will. God didnt put the girl there, nor did he make the gunman pull the trigger. Both were decisions from the individuals.
Stacey, we have a universe with natural laws. He's not going to change those laws every time something bad may happen. He doesnt get involved with everything.
Karl, do you want no free will and to be controlled and protected your whole life? Take responsibility for yourself, and dont just come out hating on God because your life sucks.
Incorrect Rich881466, understand the Bible when Adam disobeyed God, the control of the earth was passed on to the devil, that's why evil exist in the world today, It's by grace and God's spirit things are kept in check, all he** hasn't broke lose, Yes the Earth is the Lords and the Fullness there in and overall God Reigns but for the season (time is relative) technically the earth is under the devils reign (just for the moment). Eventally, God will pull his spirit, and then believe it or not it get's uglier.
You can't actually think from a Christain point God would condone us for having so much so called luv him yet so much disregard for our fellow man who we see and live with everyday.
There's a difference between an atheist and an anti-believer. An atheist can respect one's opinions. An Anti-believer has to undermine other people's opinions as if they know and understand all of existence. Oh, well everyone's a hypocrite. I think we can guess which category Karl falls under.
Spencer-399802
You are my hero. It's so refreshing to see intelligent and logical reasoning.Thank you very much. :)
MrBurns, according you your beliefs, this god is all powerful and all knowing. Therefore "he" knew the gunman would shoot her and did nothing to prevent that. That's more than approval. It's appalling that you would also claim that this god does not get involved in everything while the book claims that god is in everything. And MrBurns, Karl didn't say anything about hating anyone. It has become a simplistic response to accuse those who disagree of "hating" you.
RichT, the bible says nothing of the sort.
People, people, SHUT UP!!!! This story is about a girl, not about whether you believe in God or not.
If you believe in God, so what. If you don't believe in God, so what.
All of you, get over yourselves.
And if you stopped to think about that story, you'd see that God is pretty sadistic.
Rick-881466, Thats because you are spiritually discern, It's kind of hard to see oenings in a wall with your eyes closed
You're approaching the Bible from merely a historic information device, not from it's applicable usage and I havn't even touched the relationship aspect, which even so many so called church goers miss.
When one talks about let's say Jonah and the whale/fish whatever - the sea creature part is really a small part of the story, the story was about at what lengths God will go to accept repentance and our judgement no matter how righteous we think we are is not limits to His grace
So RichT, it seems you are admitting that the bible does not support what you are saying, that you are in fact making it up.
Yourekidding-1544479, You are correct, I think that's how we side tracked when some expressed there prayers to the young lady,
but I have to ask are you having a bad day? of all the treads of side tracked jiberish you could have read you chose this this one, your own free will.
This is a voluntary comment board, it's going to lead to some path of comments - believers, non believers, gun lovers/haters etc., some how some way some one will drag Obama JJackson into it
We're all ears on what you want to talk about since you deemed our comment as irrelevant.
No actually I didn't, I said you're to blind to see.
As Yourekidding-1544479 noted and we digress from issue at hand, young lady survived attack Thank God!
Respectfully, I disagree.
I have seen various violations of Biblical behavioral standards lead to conditions like this man had.
Fornication, adultery, drug use, alcohol abuse, and other things which constitute a violation of law like Josh Powell in Washington State, but aren't really spelled out in the 10 Commandments.
I think it's important to identify what it was that he was doing that led to his disorder.
Because there is a possibility given that I have seen friends in high school develop mood disorders engaged in unbiblical sexual conduct promoted by our culture that he wouldn't have had the first freaking clue what he was doing that led to his condition.
From my experience you can be operating within civil law which regards fornication as a misdemeanor offense and is promoted by American entertainment media, and yet be in violation of Biblical sexual conduct and wind up dealing with a mood disorder which strangely enough when I have friends abandon casual sex in favor of long term relationships and marriage, their disorders up and disappeared into thin air.
So, I am wondering why we don't identify these behaviors on forums so people know what it is that they are doing that leads to their deranged mental state. Especially if their mental state is achieved by engaging in behaviors which are only misdemeanors, but serious violations of the faith.
To me bringing God into this is duty and public safety issue.
It's like that movie "Final Destination" where you cheat death but death circles around and tries again.
Scary.
I saw the movie. That was scary! I'm glad this girl won and she'll be fine.
Never knock on Death's door. Ring the doorbell and run (he hates that). ;)
I thought that too. If I was her I would never watch that movie. I'd avoid it like the ring.
She is just becoming very resilient, I'm sure she will be fine.
Don't fly for awhile and get well soon.
If only someone else in that mall was carrying a gun, there could be even more victims.
RonB,
Were you born an Idiot, or did you take lessons?!?!
Well I'd say the same thing. Because The moment I heard someone announce they were a shooter, I'd probably say in my head, "oh, really." Then I'd keep an eye on him thinking he was just some immature a**hole. But the moment I saw him pull out a gun, I would have had justifiable reasons to drop him myself, except I have the law on my side and lives wouldn't be lost.
No, if only everyone was carrying a gun in that mall, they the guy would be have been stopped dead before having the chance to run through the mall shooting people.
What idiocy! With all these people pulling guns, they'd all be assuming each other to be the gunman. Just shy of a circular firing squad.
Since none of you seem to know, carrying in malls is illegal.
If everyone had guns, then we would the making of a viral YouTube video titled "Last Man Standing At The Mall.... a chain-reaction of "law-abiding citizens" offing one another.
A great shooter may always hit what they aim at, but is what they are hitting always the right target???
Exactly, does it look like the shooter was worried about gun carrying laws in malls.
First off, coldinmn, you are incorrect. It is legal to carry in a mall with a permit. Don't make comments if you don't know what your talking about. Second, Buffy and Eliot, do you really think that police officers go through some sort of procedure to make them super human and therefore "worthy" of protecting others and themselves with firearms. You are also an idiot. The police are hardly more qualified than anyone else who trains and practices and handles firearms correctly. Just look at the statistics. Or take the Empire State Shooting where the cops injured all 9 bystanders not the shooter.
Just because you anti-gun morons would just start shooting at everyone, doesnt mean other people are as stupid.
Professionally-trained, armed policemen can't always pull their weapon in time to react to a public shooter and it amazes me (and saddens me) that there are so many Wyatt Earp wannabes that think they'd do better. Assuming they're able to unholster, it's far more likely that they'd end up shooting an innocent bystander or getting themselves killed while giving the terrorist another weapon.
If you want to be a gunslinging hero, join the military or police. They'll train you, they need you and you'll make the country a whole lot safer (assuming you can pass the competency and mental exams.)
Union, you are also an idiot. Clearly you don't realize that lots of the people you refer to as Wyatt Earp wannabes are just as trained as the police and military. Lots of them are ex military and ex police. And most, if not all, of the classes that we normal citizens take are instructed by police and military. You clearly have higher hopes for what is required to carry a gun in a law enforcement setting. Lots of cops are only required to prove their proficiency once every 6 months. I shoot way more often than that and usually take a new course about every year. It is fun for me. If you think that every cop out is some highly trained badass you are delusional. That is like saying that because you don't have a mechanics degree hanging on the wall you should never work some ones car because you are going to kill them. And yes, a car is every bit, if not more so, as dangerous as a gun if used improperly.
Hey Rick-881466, there are things we do agree on, Idiots, it's not about gun control it's about how to react in a haz situation. These nuts are suicidal they are prepared to die and they don't care who they kill in the process, this is a split second not a long time decision, now unless you came to the mall with a itchy trigger which would mean you're slightly paranoid in the first place, your first sensable thing - get love ones to safety then act. There are how many event happening public places in the US and how often are you going to draw down on someone, I guess you sleep with one eye open
I have 15 "trys" with my Glock, I don't need to be good. I guarantee a shooter would go for cover with what I could lay down.
I guess everyone wants to ban these guns now. Very good idea.
Nope! More guns are needed to protect citizens because of budget cuts to police forces. Open borders with criminals and terrorists arriving in the hundreds of thousands every year. We don't even watch the coasts or the Canadien border.
She needs to go buy a lottery ticket.
She already got shot, she doesn't need to lose money, also.
I wouldn't consider being shot and in a head-on collision lucky.
Desperately ignoring the comments of the Beavis/Buttheads, I wish her a full and speedy recovery with all my heart.
A chest would from an assault weapon is often bloody awful. I wish the morons advocating even more guns (a howitzer, maybe?) could see the damage that they do up close. I'd like to push their faces into the wouns of the dead.
Mercy of God huh? Guess we just don't need those silly doctors anymore when we can simply praise the magical sky wizard instead.
Lucky girl to be alive and stable, hope she has a quick recovery. Most people would have certainly struck out after the crash.
coldinmn,
God gave man the ability to learn and use his knowledge to help his fellow man... Sometime's man ability is good enough to do the job, sometime's it is not... By the way, I'll say a prayer for you!
coldinmn - I guess the other person who died, just didn't pray hard enough?
CBurroughs: what did God tell the other person who was killed? "Sorry, bud?"
Please don't waste your time on prayers. IF they worked, the world would be a different place without war, violence, poverty or abuse.
and I'll add another prayer, they need all they can get.
Prayers DO work and many are answered. We all have free will and unfortunately, many choose the wrong direction!
parallelcooler,
You are incorrect... The cat was let out of the bag when Eve ate of the forbidden fruit and then enticed her mate Adam to do the same... Then everything just doubles and triples and etc., etc,...
No, he told the person's who died, Welcome to my world, I've been waiting for you! So to say, anyway... By the way I'll say alittle prayer for you too...
@parallelcooler, the other person who died, had another journey waiting for them, the one that lived, his journey here was not finished. Maybe our world wouldn't be so bad if we didn't live around so much negativity, like yours! You don't have to believe in *my* God, but it does help the soul to believe in something. And if more people would believe...then just maybe we would break the cycle of war, violence, poverty and abuse.
CBurroughs and I will just continue to *believe* and at least we, will find some kind of peace
So i guess god flips a coin on which prayers he answers....i'm glad you young girl is alive and I hope she makes it
lookdeepinside, the problem with thinking that more people believing would stop the cycle of war, violence, poverty and abuse is that most wars/killing are done in the name of god and religion. People need to start taking responsibility for themselves, their actions and their morals.
If in death you go to Heaven, then what is so bad about death from God's perspective? If you take this world to be it, then you're right, but if not then your "logic" means nothing.
God hears and answers prayers, and I guess that there are a lot of people secretly praying for the destruction of America.
"Mercy of God huh? Guess we just don't need those silly doctors anymore when we can simply praise the magical sky wizard instead.
Lucky girl to be alive and stable, hope she has a quick recovery. Most people would have certainly struck out after the crash."
No one but you said we didn't need doctors. Nice assumption though. Well bad really. Last time I checked I haven't seen anyone walk outside, pray to God, and expect food to fall from the sky into their hands. Just because there may or not be a god, it does not mean we don't have to breathe air. Only your standards for God or a god assume that. I bet atheists are ashamed of anti-believers like you, because atheists know how to respect one's opinions .
Great Christmas story, I know this really kicks off the holidays for me. Cant wait to see what the new year brings......ho ho ho I hope I get a bullet proof vest for Christmas.
Sadly there will be more stories similar to the one above. Most times society can't prevent people from committing acts of violence like this or the movie theater in Colorado. All we can do, is hope to never get caught in such a situation. If we did, then hope we made the right choices to protect ourselves. While the motives that drive people to shoot other innocent people is often never understood, the intend is usually quite clear, to kill.
If events like these do nothing else, they remind us of how precious life is, how much we need to appreciate our loved ones, friends and opportunities we have to spend time with them.May we be less judgmental, more forgiving and patient with each other. We never truly know when we may suddenly lose the chance to let those we love the most, know our true feelings towards them.
This young girl has been given another chance at life.Seems a miracle to me she wasn't killed. I have no doubt her family is counting this precious blessing and giving thanks as they see best.Regardless how any of us feel.May she recover quickly with no lasting effects and enjoy a full life.
I've always said that when it's not your time you could walk away from a plane crash. When it is, you can't even go to the bathroom and come out alive. I wish her a speedy recovery.
Like the "Miracle on the Hudson." It wasn't someone's time and he/she took the other 149 people with them. (google Miracle on the Hudson if you don't get the reference)
It was not a Miracle. it was a dam good pilot.
This type of crime is becoming far too common-place in our world. The act of hurting totally innocent people has become the "M-O" of way too many nutcases. I pray for this young ladys' recovery and the victims who dead in this tragedy.
I believe that our country is de-evolving. This mall shooting is some evidence. There is a lot of other evidence. Conservatives talk about falling off the fiscal cliff and becoming like Greece, but what if we are headed towards becoming like Syria? Eventually or country might turn into an unstable country like one of the many countries that our own country has helped to destabilize which I assume is due to the Karma like principles of chickens coming home to roost, what goes around comes around, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, or the Golden Rule. As you know, some people actually believe that war creates wealth, brings out heroic qualities in people, and helps us realize our immortality which previous gods have said (through mythology and Greek artistic and theatrical tragedy) that they (the gods) envy (immortality) in mankind. Self sacrifice, perseverance, struggling against odds, human endurance, "cycle of war, violence, poverty and abuse," and martyrdom are symbolic of man having learned that lesson. Even in Christianity, man's death is of huge importance. For example, Christ's dying on the cross and his Resurrection is symbolic of God becoming man however still remaining God. Christians believe that they have a chance to come alive after death in the afterlife. Some people believe that balance between good (including heaven)and bad (which could include life on Earth) is needed which justifies or allows apathy towards bad stuff. Fighting or punishing immoral actions in effective ways is counterproductive to humans realizing their immortal natures. Bad solutions,bad thinking, and bad reprimands are not necessarily considered nor even recognized as bad in our modern world paradigm. For whats its worth, this is why some people would rather have a "postmodern" world paradigm.
I keep waiting for the public shooting story that ends with the good citizen pulling out his own weapon and stopping one of these guys dead in their tracks. I'm not a gun advocate or NRA member, but I'm thinking that if more responsible people took it upon themselves to be licensed and carry a firearm things like this would turn out differently. I carry firearm with me everywhere I legally can, its insurance, you never want to use it, but when a disaster happens you can be prepared or dead.
AHMEN!!!!
But that's not going to happen.
Here in Utah, you see people walking around with guns on their belts, in Costco.
They're not doing that to help anyone out in case of a shooting; they are itching their trigger fingers just in case someone points at them. The sad fact is that these guns are killing kids, because they are left within range of curious little ones.
instantjustice: the reason you keep waiting for the "hero packing heat" story is that law enforcement tells us that these violent massacres (most often carried out by young, white males with no previous criminal history who have "issues") target unsuspecting crowds of people and are armed with automatic weapons, several weapons and large clips that can spray many bullets before the shooter(s) either kill themselves, are killed by police or escape the scene. Law enforcement unanimously tell us that having armed citizens shooting back would definately create more victims. And remember, "law abiding citizens" that have a license to carry guns are only "law abiding" until they are not....until they "lose it". Scary
@parallelcooler - I agree, hence the term, responsible. Those "responsible" people aren't ones with itchy trigger fingers and people who can't properly secure a firearm from their children. I live in florida, no shortage of gun toting idiots down here...
@ elaine - I guess it's all speculation until it happens. Has it ever? Has a citizen or multiple citizens attempting to stop a shooting ever caused the death of a bystandard. Maybe the first time something like that happens i'll worry about it. Law enforcement "tells" us things but is that what we see, ever?
To me that just sounds like more bullets to dodge. The solution to this problem is not more guns, it is less. I believe in the right to bear arms but not in the right to shoot them in a public place. So, until we find a fool proof way to keep "responsible citizens" from shooting other people in public forums then I think we need to restrict access to guns. 26,000 dead Americans by gunshot per year and counting.... What, exactly, is the magic number before we stop this madness?
OK now you can flay me for speaking my mind. But, at least you can't shoot me.
Restrict guns for who, and how? Good idea, but so far i've never heard an solution for gun restriction that would stop criminals or people intending to commit crimes from getting guns. They would typically steal them or not move through traditional, walk in to a gun store, methods. It's not that difficut to manufacture a gun either. Imagine all guns were illegal, do you think they would go away? or people would stop using them to kill?
I like how all the anti-gun wack-jobs just assume that those concealed carry people have an itchy trigger finger. Make anything up to "prove" your point right?
That won't happen, it would look bad for the gun control crowd. If they reported all the instances where law abiding citizens deter or stop criminals in the act of commiting a crime it would dwarf the number of stories like this. The last stats that I know of say that 2,191 people successfully use a gun in self defense every day. Fortunately for most of the people in the mall, this guy didn't know how to shoot worth a damn. I too believe that an armed citizen could've taken this POS out with a couple of well placed shots, maybe saving 2 lives and this girls injury. Anyone notice that the police, through no fault of their own, didn't show up until it was all over?
BTW, did anyone else find the story about the three "ethnic" kids [14&13] that shot a "white" woman dead because when they tried to bum a cigarette from her she declined and told them to "get a job"?
That story was buried last night and I don't see any mention of it today. It was in PA.
Quote edster48 "If they reported all the instances where law abiding citizens deter or stop criminals in the act of commiting a crime it would dwarf the number of stories like this."
This is likely true. I would suggest that many of the negative opinions on guns are based on repeadtly hearing one side of the story. When lives are saved, thats not news, or part of the statistics.
Some people say that there is something wrong with Christmas shopping and Santa. Maybe the shooter was a fanatic lunetic extremist who thought that he was acting responsibly, being a good citizen, doing God's work upholding moral values, and defending himself and others against the threat and evils of Christmas shopping, similar to someone who thinks that he can be right to shoot abortion clinic doctors. Good citizenry and acting responsibly with a gun is relative.
Christmas shopping can be annoying. Christmas music might be able to drive some people mad. People might not feel comfortable with all the pressure to buy, donate, and think about religion. The inability to shop due to not having enough money might be embarrassing or depressing. The aggression of the season might be resisted or matched with aggressive counter measures. A person might think that he should push back against these Christmas time societal pressures to preserve their sanity. Using a gun could be as symbolic as all the other things that are symbolic about Christmas, a kind of par for the course.
Prohibition on guns? Thats a good one, wonder where guns will come from then, and who will want them? P.S. InQueen: Do you have a point or are you rambling on about your unbelief in god? All your ranting could have been accomplished in five words.
To "bob-2476682": there is no "unbelief in god" in what I wrote. I stated an obvious religious viewpoint. I stated what some religious people believe. How you turn this around to being about unbelief in god is weird. I don't know if your mind works properly. One of my comments did touch upon mental health of how Christmas can drive someone crazy which can apply to anyone even to you. People's sanity can crack irregardless of belief in God or unbelief in god. People don't really need excuses to become violent, ignorant, or whatever. People can fight and argue over religion if they are so inclined.
It is a known fact that some religious people object to the commercialization, secularization, diversification, pluralization, multi-culturalization, and paganization of Christmas. Experience and living in the real world of actually seeing and looking at newspaper religious notices or religious advertisements and religious roadside billboard signs and also looking at, listening to, and hearing religious commercials, religious programming, religious services for shut-ins, and religious messages on TV has shown that some religious people who believe very strongly in God are against the dilution of the Christmas story which they say should be about Jesus being born on Christmas day which they say shouldn't be in competition with the Santa, gift giving, meal eating, and Christmas tree stories and festivities nor subject to changing the name from Christmas to Holiday Season with emphasis on shopping which these particular religious people and/or religious extremists call commercialization, secularization, diversification, pluralization, multi-culturalization, and paganization of Christmas.
I don't know the motive of the mall-shooter. So, what I have said is hypothetical based on possible motives. Other motives are possible.
The mall shooter could have been doing God's work--according to the general theory of Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and the Religious Right who have said that God is punishing America for America's immoral actions. Did a violent video game or movie inspire them or was it the Bible? This is kind-of an American Religious Right's mirror image reflection of Sharia law.
Furthermore, shopping in the name of the Lord could possibly be considered a sin. Punishing people because of sin is not only a religious thing but a cultural thing. The mall shooter could possibly be acting kind-of like Jason in the "Friday the 13th" movies who is supposedly killing people because they have sinned.
My mistake; you are just using sociological babble. Only took a nudge for your true nature and feelings on religion to surface. People you have disdain for figure prominently in your references. The ones you choose support your innuendos and scenarios.
and just WHERE were all those CCL holders? Oregon has over 22,000 of them. Not even ONE of them out shopping or were they there but hiding in the wings, crapping their pants? This was your chance to PROVE once and for all CCL means a safer society. Shame on you. And the shooter, Taliban trained?
Blastin_Nancy,
Maybe since he was moving, not wanting to take a chance of hitting an innocent bystander, those CCL carriers, were thinking and kept their guns holstered. So shame on you, for not giving credit where credit was probably due... Even well trained Cops do not fire into crowds!
And just where were all the cops, they are all carrying guns, does this also mean that this was a chance to prove that having cops means a safer society.
NBC is at it again they said "assault rifle" when in reality its just a "assault style rifle" or just a rifle
Mark S,
I agree with you, so tiring of people thinking because of the way it looks it must be... People a 'Assault Rifle' fires fully automatic, you know, it is a machine gun!!!
An assault rifle also fires semi-automatic. The newer M16A2s for the military only fire 3 round bursts and not a full mag or clip anymore as the M16A1s did about 15 years or so ago...
Actually artie...the a2's have been around for the last 25 years, and the three round burst is not a semi auto...semi auto =1 pull of the trigger is one round fired...with the burst the three rounds are fired in a quite rapid sucession with only one pull of the trigger...a semi auto rifle is never an assault weapon, regardless of how it appears.
"Kristina, 15 years old, was also in this crash. One of nine that were in the vehicle,"
What kind of vehicle has NINE seat belts? Was this a large passenger van, or is this family in the habit of cramming lots of kids into a car?
You people can't depend on the Magic Sky God or Luck to save you.
It was a church van
parallelcooler,
Why can't we depend on the "Magic Sky God or Luck" to save us? We depend on you to make "Ignorant comments", so we may read them & Chuckle, then reply... It is a give and take world...
Of course it was a large SUV or van and not a VW Beetle.
Please take your intolerance and bullying somewhere else. It's people like you that give atheists a bad name.
Instead of flapping your gums, try reading the story first fool. They said it was a van. Idiot!
The way the justice system works in this country, it wouldn't surprise me if the law abiding citizen who takes out the crazy shooter gets put on trial for manslaughter or better yet--gets sued by the family of the lunatic shooter for wrongful death. It's a nice thought though. With more states voting in conceal carry laws, you might just get your wish.
The guy shot himself.
instead of trying to enact more gun laws we should spend more time and money finding out why these people are
doing this. Could it be something in there diet affecting the brain.
Why waste the money trying to figure out the hundreds or thousands of reasons people go crazy? I don't want my taxpayer money spent studying mental health issues for idiots. We all have challenges or issues in life and if you feel like it is over then the normal one's turn to religion or if they want to end it all then commit suicide. The hateful and vengeful ones blame others and go on shooting sprees. You can't stop them unless someone sees the signs and gets them help or contacts law enforcement.
another mass shooting = more proof for gun regulations.
Gun Regulations? Do you really think that if someone is planning to kill people and themselves, they are going to abide by any gun regulation laws. Only criminals and killers like this guy are going to have guns if we have gun regulations. If they dont' care about MURDER laws, then they sure aren't going to follow and gun law.
Yeah, he doesnt follow the anti-murder laws, but he'll follow your little gun laws Pat. Good logic there.
Deregulation is the American way. Pencils are deadly weapons in the wrong hands. Professional killers don't use guns, when all they need is their hands.
That's all we need is a vigalante hero like Clint Eastwood to step up and scare these wackos and shoot everybody in between. We need more guns in bars, shopping malls, movie theaters, classrooms, churches and these wackos will be scared to death. We are the only country in the world that has this gun culture mentality.
"Several witnesses reported hearing the suspect announce, "I am the shooter," before he began firing."
What the hell is that people ? C'mon
Sadly this was found to be another one of many false flag attacks to promote and gain public favor for gun bans, and sadly three people lost their lives and a little girl was almost killed. But hey there's some good news! According to the comments above the scheme is working like a charm! Be happy my fellow Americans !!!
Its insane what people will do just to persuade you, I just hope im not around when one of these pawns starts shooting up a place for, as the "news" concludes for you, no real reason at all.
Hey instantjustice- Wake up to reality. Even if this girl had ten guns she wouldn't have a chance. These things happen so quickly the victims have no chance,no matter how well-armed.
I sincerely hope this child recovers and is reunited with her family, but two other innocent people will never get that chance. As the rez says, this type of crime 'is far too common-place in our world.' Almost everyday we read about innocent lives being taken by senseless random gunfire. Why? What makes our society so susceptible to random violence? Would more guns make us safer? I doubt it, but there are many who think so. How can we prevent deranged psychopathic individuals from becoming murderers with the means to kill anyone at any time? We need to solve this problem because it is happening more often, and becoming more deadly.