Two shootings March 11, 2009
25 shot to death and two suicides!
Germany:
A 17 year old took a weapon from his father's collection of 15 firearms along with a 'multitude of ammunition' and killed 15 people after warning that he was 'sick of his life' on an internet chat room. The rampage ended with 15 victims slain and the assailant taking his own life, authorities said.
An injured student was quoted as saying the shooter burst into his German class at about 9:30 a.m. 'We flipped over the desks to duck behind for cover.... Suddenly I saw that I was hit --in the back, in the arm and in the cheek,' he was quoted as saying. 'Suddenly he was gone and we barricaded the door. And then I saw my classmate Chantal. She sat at the door. Dead.'
From the Associated press story http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_germany_school_attack
Alabama:
A 28 year old depressed man killed 10, including his mother and 74 year old grandmother, an aunt and uncle and six others including a child. It ended with him taking his own life after a shootout with police.
He armed himself with four guns -- two assault rifles with high-capacity magazines taped together, a shotgun and a .38-caliber pistol. He had a permit for two pistols.
Described as quiet, nice and polite, someone who grew up playing youth baseball, graduating from the local high school and working at local factories, played football and baseball in elementary and middle school, was a member of Future Farmers of America and talented in welding and woodworking. He had no criminal record. He had trained to be a police officer and a Marine.
From the Associated press stories:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090312/ap_on_re_us/south_alabama_shootings
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In Germany the government ordered all federal buildings to fly their flags at half staff.
In the U.S. the government was quiet.
