Loughner's dad retreats behind 'elaborate cage'

[n2doc]

By ALLEN G. BREED
AP NATIONAL WRITER

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Randy Loughner was always reclusive. But since his son's alleged shooting rampage last month, the father has shut himself behind what one neighbor calls "an elaborate cage."

In recent weeks, Loughner has built a substantial wooden enclosure, more than 6 feet high, obscuring his front door and windows. The four horizontal windows on the garage door have been papered over, the diamond-shaped openings atop the block wall to his back yard closed off with little plywood plugs.

Even the white mailbox out front has been replaced by a heavy black steel one with a locked drawer.

"He was already secluded, so he was already set up for it, and used to it," says Stephen Woods, who lives in the house to the left of Amy and Randy Loughners'. "So I imagine it's not bothering him much. I don't think his life has changed that much."

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http://www.seattlepi.com/national/435815_loughnerdad19.html

[davidinalameda]

1. looks like that apple might not have fallen too far from the tree

sounds like the dad isn't all there either

[NotThisTime]

7. +1 This guy's behavior started long before the shootings by his son

[Boswell]

2. can't really say I can blame him

the media spotlight must be intolerable

[onehandle]

3. I have been very curious about the dad from the start.

Very.

[sasha031]

4. I can only imagine what that family is going through

the constant media attention. They are prisoners in their own home, where can they go, without being pointed at and subject to ridicule.
For that man to say it's not bothering him that much...how does he know how they feel.

[sabrina 1]

8. Very sad to see a human being suffering like that.

I cannot imagine what they are going through. Their only child, and from reports by neighbors, the mother was a good mother and very involved with her son growing up. I wonder how she is doing. They have to stand by him even though they must be in a constant state of trauma over what he did.

Thank you for your compassionate post.

[sasha031]

9. thank you for saying that

Life is not black and white....

I imagine they do nothing but blame themselves, asking why they didn't see this coming.
Something they will have to live with for the rest of their lives.

[emilyg]

5. I don't blame him one bit.

[XanaDUer]

6. I probably would, too

:(