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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy more people didn't die in Clackamas mall shooting
Improved police practices and greater public awareness about what to do in an 'active shooter scenario' may have limited casualties during the Clackamas mall shooting Tuesday in Portland, Ore. Citizens' coolheadedness and individual preparation for coping with gunfire in public settings may have curtailed the casualty count from Tuesday's shooting at a Portland, Ore., shopping mall, law officers suggested on the day after the tragedy.
Two people died and one was critically wounded before the shooter, 22-year-old Jacob Tyler Roberts of Portland, killed himself a few minutes after running into the food court at the Clackamas Town Center mall. Officials say Mr. Roberts, wearing camouflage and a white hockey mask, had methodically fired "multiple" rounds from an assault-style rifle at random shoppers.
Most of the 10,000 Christmas shoppers at the mall appeared nearly as ready and able as police to deal with a gunman appearing suddenly in their midst, Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts said on Wednesday.
"Many people have asked me why there were so few victims during this incident," said Sheriff Roberts. He listed the fact that Mr. Roberts's AR-15 semiautomatic rifle intermittently jammed and noted a well-practiced mall lockdown procedure. But he also credited "10,000 people in the mall who at one time kept a level head, got themselves out of the mall, helped others get out, secured themselves in stores.
It was really about a whole group of people coming together to make a difference."
http://news.yahoo.com/why-more-people-didnt-die-clackamas-mall-shooting-225031988.html
Bad and good news for gun nuts. We're getting used to the Fact that mass gun shootings are just part of their precious 'culture.'
safeinOhio
(32,705 posts)Didn't open fire on the thug? Bet they were running for cover too.
ProgressiveProfessor
(22,144 posts)The law abiding citizens followed the law. The perp did not
I do wonder if there were armed security or police present and why they took no action
Viva_La_Revolution
(28,791 posts)rules of the mall.
WCLinolVir
(951 posts)But why don't these guys just do themselves at home? I know, they need to vent. Even in death these assh### think someone owes them. A bigger question begs asking. Why is that white males are so violent and such a disproportionate part of mass killings, multiple rapes, domestic killings and child molestation? What are we doing wrong?? Genetic flaw? If this was any other race, we would be asking this question. There is a another discussion about race that is long overdue. I say this as a Caucasian female. White males are the main proponents of this gun culture as well.
Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)and speculating whether "genetic flaws" are to blame?
I really don't think that you want to go there.
That had to sting
WCLinolVir
(951 posts)But it still does not change the possibility that there is genetic factor involved that predisposes white men in particular to violence. Could be a brain chemistry issue, neurological deficit, that is part of a genome that contributes to these issues. I'm not afraid to go there, cause if I see a problem on this scale, statistically, I think there are some issues we are not identifying. I am not indulging in phrenology. As someone with two degrees in the medical field, I am not afraid to go there.
Coyotl
(15,262 posts)White? First, race is a mental construct only, not a real thing. Second, this is not a "race" issue. It certainly is a sex issue. Males are weird.
WCLinolVir
(951 posts)that predisposes many to certain diseases, so please don't tell me it's a construct. Sorry, but that is one ignorant comment. Males are weird? Well I could break that down for you, as it is also a combination of genetics and socialization but I don't have time. Sorry if the "white" bothers people but let's get over it and at least look at it.
Pacafishmate
(249 posts)Berserker
(3,419 posts)on violence in our society and then the Childish remark at the bottom.
When was the last time you have seen a gun arrested? When was the last time you seen a gun on trial? Never you say well maybe there is a reason for that can you think that far?
If a deranged person intentionally runs over a crowd of people on a sidewalk killing innocent people do you go after the car with the same hatred. Do you call the driver a car nut hoping to entice and argument and then feel all warm and fuzzy when a few other non thinkers join you?
JPZenger
(6,819 posts)There were about 60 shots fired. Maybe the shooter wanted to "shoot up the mall" but wasn't really aiming at specific people.
uncle ray
(3,157 posts)and a mall is a pretty crappy place to shoot people, generally very open and spacious, with lots of stuff to hide behind and many exits.
lapislzi
(5,762 posts)This is the world we live in. Keeping a cool head in a crisis is a necessary life skill, with or without "gun culture."
If you need gun culture to teach you this, then you may be deficient in other life skills also.
Do you need a bankruptcy to teach you to balance a checkbook?
WCLinolVir
(951 posts)This is really a blame the victim mentality that doesn't address real problems. Next time you need a doctor for an emergency I hope the doctor tells you the same fuc**** thing. I won't bother going into actual stories of people who do this for a living choking up, as actually dealing with the flight or fight syndrome is different than fantasy, and even training can't give you the skills to cope with a mentally unbalanced individual. But I'm willing to bet you have a lot fantasies that you find comforting. We call it denial.
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)it's not as easy as a video game like some people think
rrneck
(17,671 posts)It takes more than just a gun to kill people. In a wide open space like a mall people can run and hide. Moving targets are hard to hit. If you restrict movement to a confined space it's easier to shoot more people.
progressoid
(49,992 posts)Maybe the next guy to do this will take your advice.
rrneck
(17,671 posts)There's s wiki link. Anybody that ever served in the military would know.
lapislzi
(5,762 posts)But knowledge is power.
The Straight Story
(48,121 posts)Remmah2
(3,291 posts)slackmaster
(60,567 posts)He was shooting randomly.