Volunteers continue food, spiritual support for workers staked near hostage site

[Whovian]

MIDLAND CITY — Clio Community Church Pastor M. White said he set his vehicle up across from a Midland City hostage crisis on Saturday to do what he felt he was supposed to do as a pastor.

But White wasn’t carrying a Bible or a cross to preach a sermon or offer spiritual food. Instead, he had his grill, some hamburger meat, chicken and ribs.

“Next time I might bring some beans,” he said as he prepared free plates for news media nearby.

“I’d been following this story from day one when I finally decided I’d get my grill and help out. My church is donating to the news people.”

White was among several volunteers from throughout the region and state that came to offer help wherever needed as law enforcement sought to bring to a close the hostage standoff involving 65-year-old Jimmy Lee Dykes, who authorities identified as the man who shot and killed bus driver Charles “Chuck” Poland Tuesday before abducting the 5-year-old child from the school bus.

Dothan resident Sylvia Crawford, who assisted White after meeting him across from the hostage scene Saturday, said she came that morning not exactly sure what she was to do.

http://www.dothaneagle.com/news/article_264bf1f8-6d75-11e2-95fb-001a4bcf6878.html

[bluedigger]

1. That's very nice of him, but the media are all on per diem.

Well, there might be a couple of local free lancers hanging out.

[freshwest]

2. Apparently, they are interested in the hot food. They aren't in town where they can go get some.

Even if they can afford it, likely.

[bluedigger]

3. I'll bet they are tired of the local selection already.

From what little I've seen, they're in the middle of East Nowhere.

[freshwest]

4. Definitely. And it was extremely cold there the other night...

Many pIctures of the place on this link that I posted on the thread below:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2270666/Jimmy-Lee-Dykes-Alabama-bunker-standoff-continues-second-day-boy-held-hostage.html

Alabama hostage situation drags on for a third day.

DOTHAN, AL, January 31, 2013 —

A violent storm blew through this area last night, followed by a sudden drop in temperature to near freezing. It seemed as if nature was trying to make a personal statement to Jimmy Lee Sykes, who is still holding a 5-year-old boy hostage in an underground bunker on his property near here.

A few details have emerged over the past 48 hours, but the overall picture is still sketchy. We know that Sykes built the bunker himself. Some call it a tornado shelter but neighbors are convinced he built it as a survival bunker since he was anti-government and exhibited paranoia.

We know he had a history of mental problems and was often hostile to those around him. We know that he was due in court yesterday, Wednesday, on a charge of menacing a neighbor.

What we don’t know is when Sykes might release the boy, a five-year-old, autistic, kindergarten student named Ethan. The boy's parents are on hand but have made no public statement. Ethan has been allowed to take his medicine and requested a coloring book and crayons that were somehow delivered into the bunker.

There are no details on how that was handled.

We also don’t know if the bunker has heat or insulation against the cold. It has electricity and supplies for a month and it is tiny – roughly six feet wide by seven feet long and eight feet high. Considering the amount of rain yesterday, we can only hope for the boy’s sake that the bunker is waterproof.

There was no information given about how the FBI agents and police officers fared outside through the stormy night.

The worst part of all of this for everyone is the waiting. When there is activity we have something to focus on and divert our thoughts from the horror. During down times there is little to do but conjecture what Ethan is feeling, what his parents are going through and what the officers are thinking as they prepare for another day of negotiating.

As for what Sykes himself is thinking or experiencing, that will have to be up to the experts to sort out. Right now my only thoughts about him are not something one can repeat in polite company. Please check back later today for any updates.

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/its-about-time/2013/jan/31/alabama-hostage-situation-drags-third-day/#ixzz2JZl23rLh

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022289451

There is more on another thread, with a DUer whos is the sister of one of the people trying to talk the man into letting the boy go home to his mother. They report they can hear him crying:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014388274#post18

Alabama abduction: Boy still held in underground bunker

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-alabama-kidnap-bus-driver-20130201,0,1369250.story

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014388274

[bluedigger]

7. I saw the Sheriff interviewed today and was not encouraged.

He seemed completely overwhelmed and out of his element. It was hard not to compare the interview to how the recent incidents at Newtown and Aurora were handled. Somebody at the State or FBI level needs to step up and help out, I think.

[Lars39]

8. Surely they're there, just not noticeable?!

Boggles my mind if they're not.

[bluedigger]

10. They aren't doing him any favors letting him in front of the media.

They may not have much choice, either, unless he asks them to help with the PR. I'm sure they are advising and supporting him with the situation, but he seemed poorly informed himself.

[freshwest]

11. He knows they are there. They've communicated and sent RX for the boy thorugh the vent pipe.

[freshwest]

9. I don't know that there is a better way than to wait for the criminal to let him go.

The room is said to be 8' high and 6' X 7' wide and long. The man has a small pipe for air, and maybe some food and water. He is armed and vicious, and has shot at children before. He sees this boy as not a person, but a tool to keep him out of jail. He knows he is trapped.

The situation is such that I imagine if they attempted to send perhaps an odorless, colorless gas through the pipe that they have already delivered the boy's medicine through, he would know and kill him. He may get tired of hearing him crying and kill him. He likely knows he will never be free again, no matter what they promise him.

The circumstances remind of a story that is in some bibles. In the story, a man approaches Jesus and tells him that he has a sparrow inside his fist. He demands that he tell him if the bird is alive or dead, knowing that he only has to squeeze his fist to kill and wants to prove Jesus wrong with his question. Jesus replies 'It is as you will.'

This young boy's life is within that man's hands and the choice is his alone. The cases in the other areas were different. The danger was over, the shooter was separated from his victims, by distance or death. This man is in the living space with this small child.

I don't have a lot of hope, it depends on a madman. it's possible they are waiting for him to go to sleep, and then break in. But he might wake. If he slept, they might gas them both and break in.

I don't think hostage negotiation is going to work. Even the most insane or criminal mind knows logic, just as we know gravity. That man knows any offer but surrendering to be tried for murder and kidnapping when he comes out of that bunker, is a lie.

Best chance is he gets worn down and passes out. But for all we know, he is taking meth or something to stay awake. And that makes it much worse.

[bluedigger]

12. I didn't mean to imply I was in favor of more aggressive tactics.

This is a wait it out situation, I think. They can't risk the child unless they sense imminent peril. It's a stalemate.

[TeamPooka]

14. going on Day 6 and he hasn't slept yet? Barney Fife is in charge of this tragedy in waiting. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. I would not count on that.

[bluedigger]

6. I'd be a rich man, if I could have bet on your chiming in.

I already accounted for the two free lancers. This ain't San Diego, or wherever your beat is.

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. And you think there are no other freelancers?

And you are right, my beat is a large metropolitan area. The local tv stations rely on freelancers for certain areas of coverage. You think this quasi national story des not have a few flying in?

[riderinthestorm]

13. Autistic kids are tricky to deal with in the best circumstances... I truly fear for young Ethan.

I can't imagine the situation down there with this mentally ill man...



I hope for the best but am preparing for the worst...