Anti-violence crusader NYC councilman, gunman die in shootings

[Inkara1]

NYC Councilman, Gunman Die in Shootings

NEW YORK - A city councilman known as a crusader against urban violence was shot to death inside City Hall on Wednesday by a political rival who bypassed security with a gun by walking into the building along with his victim.

A plainclothes police officer shot and killed the assailant, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. The gunman's ties to the councilman allowed him to bypass security, he added.

"Obviously, there was a breakdown someplace," said Bloomberg, who was yards away in his office at the time of the attack but unharmed. Bloomberg said that all officials, including himself, will now be required to go through the building's metal detectors.

Brooklyn Councilman James Davis, a former police officer and outspoken presence on the council, died from two gunshots to the chest as 14 bullets rattled across the landmark lower Manhattan building, authorities said.

The gunman, Othniel Askew, 31, died a short time later at a hospital, according to a police source. The two mortally wounded men were found lying side by side on the balcony overlooking the council chambers.

Full article

Davis

 

[Inkara1]

I can just see the anti-gun cartel feeding heavily off this one. Apparently, Davis had a concealed weapons permit and had his gun on him but didn't have time to draw it before he got shot.

 

[Gonz]

I listened to coverage of this much of the afternoon. Very sad indeed. There were some interresting facts though. The councilman & the shooter walked into City Hall, together & they bypassed the metal detectors, as is customary for council & the Mayor. (effective immediately, not anymore).

Mayor Bloomberg needs to ask Rudy for some "public speaking during an emergency" tips. He came across as ackward & cold, never referring to the councilman in enduring terms...only as a co-worker & elected official. He also mentioned, several times, that this wasn't a terrorist attack but an attack on democracy...that was better than the original "an attack on America" (sorry Mayor, this isn't a national tragedy.)


so much for no guns in Manhattan

 

[greenfreak]

Bloomberg is such a freakin weenie, I never liked him. Of course Rudy is well liked now but he wasn't as much in the years he was in office. He did know how to choose his words better but that voice of his got to me sometimes.

I saw how terrible Bloomberg was when the blizzard hit and he had a press conference about the snow removal. He's terrible. Between him and Bush, I choose to read my news rather than hear it. It's just embarrassing.