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Law enforcement officers fill the streets outside the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse Monday, January 4, 2010 after a shooting that left a court security officer dead and another seriously wounded.
By Erin Dostal, Tiffany Gibson, Cara McCoy 
, Stephanie Tavares
Published Monday, Jan. 4, 2010 | 8:43 a.m.
Updated Monday, Jan. 4, 2010 | 9:40 p.m.
Related Document
Neighbors of Gunman React
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Neighbors of Johnny Lee Wicks, 66, are shocked after the lone gunman opened fire in the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse Monday morning. Wicks lived at the Sunrise Senior Village complex at 571 N. 30th St., where a fire broke out about three hours before the shooting.
Federal Courthouse Shooting
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A lone gunman walked into the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse in downtown Las Vegas and opened fire, killing a security officer.
Raw YouTube video of shooting
News conference on shooting
Federal building shooting
A man upset over losing a lawsuit regarding his Social Security benefits walked into the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse in downtown Las Vegas on Monday morning, pulled a shotgun from beneath his jacket and opened fire, killing a court security officer.
Two officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press because they were not authorized to discuss the case, say Johnny Lee Wicks is the man who opened fire and was shot dead in a gunfight with deputy U.S. marshals. Officials say the early evidence points to the man's anger over his benefits case as the motive for the shooting.
Court records show Wicks, 66, had sued the Social Security Administration in 2008, but the case was thrown out and formally closed in September 2009. (Related story: Shooting ends gunman’s two-year battle over benefits)
FBI Special Agent Joseph Dickey of the Las Vegas field office said investigators believe the gunman was acting alone when he fatally shot the officer and wounded a deputy U.S. marshal. Dickey said the shooting, which occurred about 8:05 a.m. at the courthouse at 333 Las Vegas Blvd. South, didn't appear to be an act of terrorism.
Authorities said Wicks was wearing black pants, a black shirt and a black jacket with a shotgun concealed in his jacket. As he walked into the courthouse, he opened fire.
Seven officers, including courthouse security personnel and U.S. marshals, returned fire and followed Wicks as he ran outside the building. He was shot and killed across the street.
“At this point we believe it was a lone gunman in a criminal act, not a terrorist act," Dickey said. "We are conducting an investigation to follow-up on this to determine why this person did what he did today.”
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder identified the slain officer as 72-year-old Stanley Cooper, a retired Metro Police officer employed by Akal Security. Cooper became a federal court security officer in Las Vegas in 1994.
"The shooting in Las Vegas this morning is a tragic reminder of the risks taken by law enforcement officers every day to keep us safe," Holder said in a Monday statement. "These men and women put their lives on the line to protect judges, witnesses, and others in the federal court system, and there is no doubt that the actions of these brave public servants saved innocent lives today."
Wicks' body remained for several hours in front of the restored historic Fifth Street School, a sprawling white stucco campus that dates to 1936 and was recently renovated.
The shooting occurred in the building's lobby and the gunman never entered the secure area of the courthouse, Dickey said.
Investigators were reviewing surveillance video of the incident. Early witness statements indicated there might have been more than one gunman, but Dickey said the FBI had determined the man acted alone.
A ceremonial procession led by a Metro Police motorcycle officer left UMC at about 11:35 a.m. Monday and arrived at the Clark County Coroner's Office.
Authorities said the injured deputy marshal was in stable condition after surgery. His name hasn't been released.
Metro Police spokesman Ramon Denby said authorities conducted a search and cleared the federal building after the shooting. A suspicious vehicle on the east side of the courthouse was also cleared and determined not to be a threat.
Wicks lived at the Sunrise Senior Village complex at 571 N. 30th St., which is near North Mohave and East Bonanza roads. Las Vegas Fire & Rescue had responded less than three hours before the shooting to Wicks' apartment on the report of a fire in a bedroom. The fire prompted the evacuation of nearby apartments because of smoke, but no one was injured, firefighters said. (Related story: Neighbors’ run-ins with gunman bring mixed reactions)
The U.S. Marshals, FBI and Metro Police are conducting a joint investigation into the shooting. Las Vegas Boulevard was closed in both directions as authorities swarmed the scene.
EZ Pawn and Jewelry employee John Moore said he was helping a customer when he heard about 15 gunshots. He said he saw people running from the building in a panic.
Resident Barbara Pratt said she was at Seventh Street and Carson Avenue when she heard the shots.
"I called 311 and the lady said there had been a shootout," she said. "I was going to go to the bank and Social Security office this morning but something told me to take care of something else," she said. "It's a blessing because I could have been an innocent victim."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issued a statement Monday morning saying his thoughts are with the shooting victims and their families.
In another statement, Sen. John Ensign said, "they were protecting the public and those working within the federal courthouse, including members of my staff. Unfortunately, today’s events were unlike any other."
Las Vegas Boulevard is seen Monday, January 4, 2010 after a shooting at the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse that left a court security officer dead and another seriously wounded.
The building houses federal courts and offices for officials including Reid and Ensign.
"Bottom line is, he didn't get past security," Ensign told a news conference outside the building."
A passerby said he counted at least 40 shots.
"The first shot that I heard was a shotgun blast. I knew it wasn't fireworks," said Ray Freres, 59, a sandwich shop manager and Vietnam veteran who said he was behind the federal court building at the time.
"I heard an exchange of gunfire. I was watching the street," Freres said. "If they were coming my way, I was going the other way."
John Clark, director of the Marshals Service in Washington, did not immediately identify the officers, but called them heroes.
"The brave and immediate actions of these two individuals saved lives by stopping the threat of a reckless and callous gunman," Clark said in a statement.
The shooting prompted closures and cancellations throughout the downtown area.
The Regional Justice Center in downtown Las Vegas was closed all day after the shooting. All court services were canceled and Clark County Eighth Judicial District Court, Las Vegas Justice Court and Las Vegas Municipal Court were closed.
Among the cancellations caused by the shooting was Environment Nevada's event honoring Rep. Dina Titus and Shelley Berkley.
The event, meant to highlight the environmental voting records of the congresswomen, was scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at the Fifth Street School, which is near the courthouse.
The event was originally planned for the terrace of the federal building, but the permit paperwork was extensive and when the Fifth Street School's courtyard became available for the same day and time, the plan was changed.
An FBI agent puts his rifle away after a shooting at the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse Monday, January 4, 2010 that left a court security officer dead and another seriously wounded.
Environment Nevada spokesman Pete Dronkers said he was on his way to the school at about 8:50 a.m. to set up for the event when he saw a swarm of helicopters overhead.
"I thought someone had robbed the bank again," he said, referring to the robbery of downtown branch of Nevada State Bank last week. "The entire area was on lock down."
After seeing the story about the shooting on the Sun's Web site, the organization decided to cancel the event, he said.
"This event took a lot of time to organize, it was our first big event," Dronkers said. "A lot of work went into this and it got completely shut down. But compared to the loss of life today, our inconvenience is nothing."
He said downtown was in chaos all morning. Helicopters could still be seen overhead by 11:30 a.m. After early rumors that one assailant was still on the loose, his office and others in the downtown area went into lock down for much of the morning.
The organization is now trying to reschedule the event, but is considering a location outside downtown.
"Unfortunately we couldn't do it this morning," Dronkers said. "With the bank robbery and now this, I'm tempted to find some obscure place in the suburbs."
Las Vegas Academy, the Clark County School District’s magnet high school for the arts and international studies at 315 S. 7th St., was locked down in the wake of the shootings. School District officials say no other campuses had been on lock down.
During lockdowns, students are required to stay in their classrooms and no one is allowed to enter the campus. The academy has about 1,600 students.
Sun reporter Emily Richmond and the Associated Press contributed to this story.
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another day in vegas.
So sorry for the loss of life that had happen. God speed, and Peace to there family's on this sad day.
horrible, may God be with all who travel today on their final journeys!!
Sensless violence. Nobodys family derserves this
i love vegas, but it's pretty obvious this town's future is getting darker.
My prayers go out to the injured and their families. Our law enforcemet and soldiers are dedicated professionals who put themselves in harms way on a daily basis for a thankless job. May God bless each and every one of you in life and in your mission. Thank you for trying to keep my familiy and I safe everyday.
stevem, way to be positive for the new year!
Firefighters too!! :)
the RJ says suspect was killed, nothing mentioned about being arrested.
What really happened? In this city the truth is very hard to come by and almost anything read should not be believed to be complete or accurate.
My sympathies to the victims and their families.
The school is located at 315 S. 7th Street, about a quarter-mile from the U.S. Federal Courthouse on South Las Vegas Boulevard.
It's across the street and way less than a 1/4 of a mile.
Rejco100,
What do any of your comments have to do with this story?
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
If the LV Sun does not shut you off they are not doing their job to moderate this discussion and keep people on topic. We lost two brave officers today. That is what you should be focused on, not your own narrow agenda.
put a sock in it, sevenhills.
it's that "rose colored glasses" approach from people like you that were saying "vegas is recession proof" 3 years ago instead of getting some businesses that provide jobs that don't require a funny costume to this town.
This is so sad. :(
RIP to our brave men who put their lives on the line every day.
I'd like to know what possessed this punk to do this? He surely had to have known he was going to get killed.
Sounds like there is a lot more to this story then is being spoon fed to us...
RIP
Have any of you seen the video? It's so heartbreaking. :(
Let's stay focused on these two brave officers that may not survive this heinous attack by a malcontent nut that somehow thinks killing innocent people is any kind of an answer to anything. Thank heaven these heroes stopped this nut, and pray they do not make the ultimate sacrifice as far too many good people in uniform already have.
Also, thanks to the LV Sun moderators for keeping this discussion on-topic.
on youtube video you can hear 57 shots. surely not all aimed at 1 suspect who was said to be in custody. unless they let him go and then shot the hell out of him
Obviously there are conflicting reports on a breaking news story. I am sorry that any individual believes that violence will solve a problem. Thanks to all of the officers that put their lives on the line.
One of the perps brains are all over the ground next to his body, they keep showing on Ch 3. In front of the old elementary school. (across from the fed house) Still trying to locate the U-Tube video that someone shot from the front of the RJC, You can hear all the gunshots.
One of the officers died. He was a retired Metro cop. I guess he was a federal bailiff or something like that. He was 65 years old.
Here it is as it unfolded !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7HiFbJyr...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7HiFbJyr...
There is the video, DT
dt0702
The RJC ("Regional Justice Center") is too far from the this building to hear any gunshots or see anything. RJC is located two blocks to the west and there is the Community Bank building, the old BK Ct building and that school in between.
Det__Munch
Ok the vid was shot from the Social Security office according to CH 3. I hope the wounded officer makes it out of Surgery. The retired Metro officer has passed away unfortunately. Hopefully they will figure out the motivation for this senseless act !
\
THe guy who took the video was standing on the corner of Fourth St. and either Clark St. or Lewis (can never remember which one) looking east to LV Blvd., which is the next block. The school that is mentioned is just out of camera range to the right. There is a walkway with a fountain, rocks and plants that you walk thru to get to LV Blvd. and the courthouse, with that school being there on the right. The building that is featured in the photo in this article is to the left of this video. But judging by the gunshots, this took place at the building that is featured in the video, which is the Federal court house, not the picture above. They obviously showed the street blocked off at the above picture.
Its amazing how some of these so called witnesses make it on CNN or on FOX. One so called witness identified only as "Michelle" said she saw 4 men running from the scene, all dresses in black. Now they are saying that the perp was acting alone ?? Someone is not telling the truth, or the other 3 got away.
dt
All those buildings, I believe there are 3 of them, are all federal buildings. All either have LV Blvd addresses or at least part of the building is on Las Vegas Blvd. I used to work in the building right at the corner where this guy was taping this. There is a Subway sandwich shop to the right. If you cross the street at the light going left - the Mexican consulate is there and further down is the BofA building.
Our prayers to the victims and their families.
My child attends LVA and has been communicating with me all morning via text messaging. I have always had concerns about the new Federal Building being so close to the campus, as it attracts these kinds of nuts. I am seriously questioning the thought process of law enforcement and CCSD, that decided evacuating the Federal Building occupants to the school instead of the CC Regional Justice Center. When you are unsure that there may be other suspects, why would you load outsiders into an educational facility that houses 1600 children?
There is always some shooting to take everyone's attention away from last staged circus, I am refering to the guy with no passport boarding flight with the help of handlers, Yes there is Video just like there was in 911 on the attack on the pentagon, We don't get to see them because these attacks are false flags. It doesn't matter anymore that we know the truth. USA stands for nothing except winning at whatever cost.
One so called witness identified only as "Michelle" said she saw 4 men running from the scene, all dresses in black.
LOLOLOL Amazing! She probably was on her way to work and just saw everything you know! What? No other witnesses to corroborate her story?? At that time of the morning - people are coming to work. Most park either down the street at Fremont St Garage or the garage on 3rd St. But....she may have been on a Starbuck's run before the day started.
You know, if it was me and I'm walking, minding my own business, and I heard all that gun fire erupt - I'll be damned if I'm goIng to stand there to check out what was happening so I could be interviewed by CNN!!!
"I have always had concerns about the new Federal Building being so close to the campus, as it attracts these kinds of nuts. I am seriously questioning the thought process of law enforcement and CCSD, that decided evacuating the Federal Building occupants to the school instead of the CC Regional Justice Center. When you are unsure that there may be other suspects, why would you load outsiders into an educational facility that houses 1600 children?"
Momin GV
This is really the first time anything of this magnitude has happened at the Courthouse. Even at the RJC. The school, as you know, opened AFTER the Courthouse was built. We used to watch them working on the building after Metro moved out. So maybe the CCSD should not have opened a school in such a vulnerable area? And whackos hang out everywhere in Vegas. So where are you really safe? As far as evacuating to the school - who knows why they did that = RJC was too far? People going to the courthouse 99.9% of the time are not armed - that .1% showed up today.
Also, Det_Munch.... maybe Michelle saw bystanders running away. I'd be running if I heard over 40 shots fired too. I'm glad I didn't go to the Social Security Office this morning like I was suppose to. Thank goodness I slept in.
Det_Munch, Las Vegas Academy is the oldest high school in Las Vegas (formerly Las Vegas High School) and was erected in 1930. That Federal Building is new.
Lockdown has been lifted.
I heard there were a lot of people laid off when they came back after the holidays and they didn't get advance warning...wonder if it's a disgruntled laid off worker?
This will be shown to be a hate crime driven by hate-talk radio. 4 stations in town non-stop, hate Harry Reid, hate the government, hate Obama.
I accuse hate-talk radio.
ivegotcha,
That was a moronic statement. What are you implying? That someone 65 can't work? How stupid that statement you made is. Ever stop to consider that maybe he was more qualified than everyone else?
Momin GV
Sorry, I thought the school was where the old Metro station was. LVAcademy is about 3 blocks away though from the courthouse. It was also the largest area to evacuate to and the easiest to get to. Going to RJC would have compromised the area that was cordoned off; the people would have had to walk thru that area. But again, nothing this serious has ever happened before.
JSpencer
You're probably right! I'd be running, too!! It was a busy time of the morning to open fire with that much shooting.
"The officer was over 65. Should have stayed home with the grandkids. Dang, we have how many people unemployed and younger"
There are many court bailiffs and security people that are retired law enforcement in federal buildings. It's a great job if you can get one. Federal buildings don't hire "wannabe cops" to do the security in or out of courtrooms. They hire the real thing.
To Rejco: if you are so smart please provide some analysis to support your theories. Any nut job can make inflammatory statements. If you are such an authority on constitutional law, give us some analytical support. Otherwise I will continue to assume you are just another nut job.
To Stevem: there's a big difference between being hopeful and being stupid. Based on your comments, you don't seem able to make that distinction.
To white supremicists that post comments on this site every time there is a murder: I am willing to wage my paycheck that the perp was white.
That was alot of shooting, it must have been a suicide mission!
Did the murderer drive up in a vehicle with a "Rush is Right" bumper sticker on it?
Glen Beck minion being reported.
I hope and pray for a great recovery for the marshal involved and for the family of the fallen officer.
Thank God that the socialist-provided FBI, U.S. Marshals, and LV Police officers were on the job and had the socialist-provided highways to get to the scene in a timely manner. I'd hate to think of what the situation might have been like had we not had the highways/streets they used and the officers on the job that responded to the call. These guys deserve more pay, benefits, and support from the public.
Its amazing how some people in this online community choose to divide rather than can come together on this sad day of a senseless tragedy
"This will be shown to be a hate crime driven by hate-talk radio. 4 stations in town non-stop, hate Harry Reid, hate the government, hate Obama.
I accuse hate-talk radio."
mred....let the facts come out first. The only blame lays with the shooter, period.
rejco !
First of all.. REJECTO SHUT UP !
This is another tragic act to take the lives of these two FBI agents, add this to the seven CIA agents killed in Afghanistan over Christmas. Just tragic. Our best wishes go out to the families of the slain agents.
To the negative comments, this could have been someone you know standing in that security line or even yourselves. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU POST EVERYONE IS READING !!
This was a tragedy that hit too close to home. A terrorist act commuted on sovereign soil.
Things will calm down soon, Glen Beck will be on and the robots will navigate to their TV's with eyes glossy.
This is awful... The Court Security Office was 65 years old. He should have been out fishing, not screening people at a federal court house. Most likely he needed to keep working. This economy is ruining everybody... My heart goes out to all the families touched by this needless tragedy.
It's amazing that moronic comments can be spewed from someone like redneck_43 given the tragedy of the day. Clearly you don't read and have no concept of history. 100 million lives were lost during the middle passage, oh I forgot that would require knowledge of U.S. history particularly that of slavery, redneck. That would dwarf your twisted perception of crimes you think black folks commit. Crimes in general are commited intra racially, that is, the vast majority of blacks are perpatrators to blacks and the vast majority of whites are perps to whites, etc., and so on. Instead of using Glenn Beck-ian logic and numbers try focusing on thoghtful well wishes to the slain officers family members and not racist, ill-informed, neo-con views. I forgot, you are a redneck in Vegas, education isn't a prioroty on your peoples list.
I'm sorry... what does Glenn Beck and Rush have to do with this shooting? Would those of you who feel the need to bring these two names into this TRAGIC story please get off the internet?
I am a Glenn Beck listener, but do not listen to Rush. Never really cared for him. Glenn Beck DOES NOT spew out hate and tell people to murder. I'm sorry you feel that way. But if you actually listen, you would realize that. :)
lol...ya. i sure am "stupid". vegas is just doing WONDERFUL these days, right?
Everybody seems to hate each other who don't look like themselves here in the land of gin and money..
Will everyone please stay on the subject and keep the families in mind of the Marshal that died and the other that was injured today, they were there to protect EVERYONE in that building and did so! I hear the injured Marshal is out of surgery and is in stable condition now, wonderful news for him and his family! The suspect that was RIGHTFULLY shot back at, was supposed to show up today at the Federal Courthouse for sentencing for a firearm charge.
If you all don't know what your talking about then please just offer your condolences.
Steven, read my post. I never say you are stupid. I thought you were wrong for lumping all people with positive Vegas outlooks in with the crowd that stupidly proclaimed Vegas was recession proof. However, I never said you were stupid; in fact, I would be stupid to assume you are stupid based on a single post to this forum (although I might assume you do have a reading comprehension problem).
Rejco100 always posts negative comments about the 12 step program. He's probably brain dead and retarded after having failed the religious program for pedophilic crack addicts. Hey, maybe rejco is a HE SHE? Ha ha
Thank you to the men and women in uniform. RIP my Brother.
Iheard it reported on Fox News that the gunman was shot in the head killed dead?
I love how everything is considered 'terrorism'....
Sun: why censor rejco's comments? As rediculous as they may be, the comments I read were political opinions. In a free society people should not be prevented from expressing mere political opinions. Yes, even the most worthless political opinions should be heard. I would rather people like rejco be publicly refuted than completely silenced.
cgromagnonman
Funny post.
Fox News is stupid and wrong 99% of the time.
Funny how guns kill and people defend their 'right', oops, I mean guns don't kill, people do. yah right...
Wow, what are the odds of that happening?
United_727, the title of the article reads "NO CONNECTION TO TERRORISM"....did you read the article or are you in such a hurry to posts anti-police, anti-government posts like all the other "good citizens" on this site that you can not take the time to read the article.
The sun should and can censor whatever it wants to. It is a business and a business can have a comment policy. rejco100 has a history of making foul mouth, unrelated comments just to bash the government and policy agencies. Any time a police officer is hurt, he things it is a good thing.
@cromagnon, I think the staff just looks at any comment where someone has clicked on 'suggest removal' and then deletes it if violates the publish policy on comments. It isn't hard to violate the comments policy. In rejco's case I think he goes off topic and posts to multiple stories with the same crap and then another reader clicks and off goes the comment.
Terrorism requires the distinct furtherance of a political agenda. The Sun probably should not have mentioned this alarming word. Criminologically, the episode neither really suggests spree, mass, or serial murder. This may be a case of a lone psychopath and, as suggested above, a victim-precipitated homicide ("suicide by cop").
Scott Senjo
Criminal Justice Professor
Weber State University
The gunman who opened fire in the federal courthouse this morning, killing a security officer and wounding a deputy U.S. marshal, was Johnny Lee Wicks, according to a law enforcement source.
In 2008 Wicks filed a federal race discrimination complaint against a regional commissioner with the Social Security Division. Wicks' complaint stemmed from an encounter he had with regional commissioner at the social security office after learning his monthly social security payment would be reduced.
Condolances to family and friends.
I believe that anytime a person enters a building and opens fire, it IS an act of terrorism. It doesn't matter why the person shot, or who, if anyone he was representing. The people inside the building were in terror.
They always come out with the "it's not terrorism" before the facts are in, while at the same time, an average citizen who gets mouthy with airport officials over lost luggage, or with a traffic cop over a ticket, is quickly accused of making terrorist threats.
Same could be said of tha Albertson's shooting on W. Sahara a few years back, definately fits my definition of terrorism..
Just glad they put the killer down. Thanks goes out to the cops who ended this situation.
Those blaming talk radio hosts are way off base. I have NEVER heard any of them even suggest that anyone go shoot U.S. citizens like this.
elprieto: I have a masters from Ohio State honey..where did you get yours? Take a gander at the Department of Justice website and look at the crime per capita that is committed by "black folks". How is it that 13% of American society can commit roughly 78% of all violent crimes. Don't hate on me for calling a spade a spade...look inside your own community and do what you can do to rectify it's problems..and stop blaming the big white boogie man.
The difference between Baghdad and Las Vegas?
Las Vegas doesn't have a Green Zone.
Given our employment demographics and un-/under-educated adult population and tendency toward violence, we've become another Detroit.
"Authorities who had arrived ushered the employees out of the building, telling them to leave their purses and cellphones behind. Several hours passed before they could return."
What kind of crap is this? The day I was evacuated from any business and told to leave my personal items behind, is the day I will be getting up in their faces. This is not acceptable, ever, for so many reasons! Did they tell the men to leave their wallets behind too? How stupid is this?
@mred-
Hey Genius, care to revise your comments and implied theory?
There's a big difference between thinking and regurgitating.
Moogie,
Start carrying a wallet then. Your purse, mascara, lipstick and cell phone arent worth anyone getting shot over. You want to grab your purse and cell while some nut is spraying shotgun shells around? Come on
Yes icare, I know the sun can censor if they want. This is why I only asked why they chose to. I was disputing their chosen policy not their ability to enforce it.
Such a senseless tragedy. I think we are going to see these incidences occur more frequently in the future. Many of the middle class who thought their lives were financially secure have had the rug pulled out from under them and feel they have nothing left to lose.
censorship and banning can only go so far...I have a dynamic IP..I can't be banned. They can toss out my user name..but I can come right back under a different name
Nico - you are not real smart, are you? No one should be without identification, which women usually carry......in their purses!!! BTW, cel phones are somewhat important as maybe some of us have loved ones who care about us and would like to know we're alive and well when stuff like this happens. Maybe no one cares about you, but that sounds like your personal problem. As for me, my personal identification, wallet, cash, credit cards, cel phone go with me whether you think it's important or not. Bite me, dough boy.
sevenhills...
criminals like this moron will get guns and kill.
guns were used today to end his killing and save lives.
how can you possibly say that guns should be illegal for honest citizens to protect themselves?
you're a typical liberal moron.
Moogie,
Yeah, all that stuff is real important as a gunman is shooting. Your ID, cell phone and purse are a necessity during that situation. Hard for me to take you serious with a name like Moogie anyway. My remarks were in reference to your first statement:
"The day I was evacuated from any business and told to leave my personal items behind, is the day I will be getting up in their faces."
Yeah, that was a intelligent statement, like some cop needs you getting in their face as a gunman is on a killing spree. You're a idiot!! And I'm sure everyone here agrees your statement was moronic!!
Moogie,
After reading your past posts, you sound like a real class act. Especially the calling of everyone a Troll....LOL. You sound like you need a good lay and a cigarette, you have some serious man hater issues. Daddy walk out on you as a kid, kids tease you as a child for looking like a boy? Whats the problem?
A 66-year-old Las Vegas retiree, disgruntled over cuts in his Social Security benefits, opened fire this morning in the lobby of the federal courthouse here, killing a court security officer and wounding a deputy U.S. marshal, authorities said.
The gunman, identified as Johnny Lee Wicks, 66, was shot in the head and died on the scene, according to law enforcement sources. The deputy marshal was in stable condition at a local hospital. The names of the marshal and court security officer have not been released, though the security officer was a 65-year-old retired policeman, according to local media outlets.
Wicks was a recent retiree who was suing the U.S. government because his Social Security benefits were apparently denied or reduced, a law enforcement official said. He was living in a Las Vegas-area retirement home.
The shootout began about 8 a.m. at the Lloyd D. George Federal District Courthouse, just south of the aging casinos on Fremont Street.
The gunman, dressed in black and with a shotgun hidden beneath his jacket, charged into the entryway. Before reaching two metal detectors, he opened fire, said Joseph Dickey, a FBI special agent.
Seven officers returned fire, he said, and the gunman darted out of the courthouse. They gave chase and the gunman was killed across the street.
I hope we see an end to the anti-government venom spewed on hate talk radio and in the editorial pages of some local newspapers.
mr ed is spinning like a top out of control on this discussion site. Too bad nobody cares about his rant. Others can't stick to the topic of this sad event...
Just wait until the jails are filled with those who refuse to buy the government health care policies.
cromagnon....ready to fork out that pay check? the shooter was black. but...if i was asked what race i thought they were i wouldnt have said black either. oh ya "mred" your an idiot, who cares about your opinion of talk radio?? hardly anyone listens to that crap anyways.
I'm so glad rejco100 is a formally trained adjudicator for Social Security cases. Either that or he might be a co-conspirator with the MURDERER we are discussing on this thread...?
mrability, what does suing the govt for peanuts have to do with the right wing? We are all about self reliance and personal responsibility.
This story is like that whacko that drove his vehicle thru the front door of SIIS building on Charleston a few years ago.. He was denied benefits and decided to hurt innocent people..I can see being upset but I would think it would be a little simpler to reapply for benefits....I guess thats how some try to make a point... To bad for those who were shot...Anything can happen at anytime and you will never know.....
Anyway rejco some of us vets are not screwed up by the system,, and most of the ones that are,, were already screwed up from there own stupidity..So put that in your crackpipe and smoke it...
Hmm.. I like how the media makes this man look bad. I wonder most about is why this man did this. It looks as though the government is behind this to be honest. This man was on social security. There was a reason why he was on it. Maybe the government took his social security away and the government is what is really at fault. When you take something away that you live on or have lived on most of your life.. makes a person go even more nuts if you realise you wont survive on nothing. Instead of fully blaming this man.. even though it was wrong of him to shoot innocent people.. you have to look at the whole picture... seems to me.. the media should investigate further before pinning this man as evil...what he did was evil.. but you have to look at the whole picture first..
mrability--- Some make of it as they will and yes alot of benefit has been taken.. But to each is own if it is a failure.....
The worst news I could ever get, my friends father was just shot. Rest in peace Mr. Cooper. Marty, you and your brothers....I'm am so sorry for your loss, God bless! Your 20 year Vegas friend, Dave
Anyways,, luckily not everyone that gets denied benefits does this on a regular basis... It could have been worse as he could have went to a school,, a casino,, a market,, or who knows... To bad someone died from this mans inability to resolve his claim with social security,, but what about others that see what this man did that have been denied... Lets hope they dont get any stupid ideas...
Man disgruntled, man buys gun, man kills law enforcement with gun and subsequently dies...People kill - guns are the easiest tool to utilize.
Rejco - you only are missing floppy shoes and the red nose to finish your clown act. But the few posts of yours that do get through are freakin' hilarious...in an mentally challenged sort of way.
Reports state that the shooter was ignored in the emergency room and will posthumously sue UMC.
Maybe if there wasn't so many people abusing the system and getting benefits they don't deserve stuff like this wouldn't happen.
The Social Security Administration is overwhelmed with claims now that so many people are unemployed and looking for another means of income, and the lawyers and doctors that are helping these people with there false claims are just as much or more at fault than the people making the claims. There was an article about a woman that worked as a waitress until the restaurant she worked at went under and after that happened she filed for disability, got rejected and a couple years later after appealing it her claim went through and she got a check for around $50,000 and her child received a check for around $25,000 for back payments starting from the time she applied WTF is up with that and there are thousands more doing the same thing. She had at least 15 ailments on her list by the time she was through some of which I've never heard of, it's pretty bad when the people on disability are receiving more than the people that really did work and pay in all there lives. Especially when there using the money for dope or there getting it because there bi-polar or have chronic fatigue syndrome "fat and lazy" is what they used to call it.
Liberalism kills.
God Bless Officer Cooper. I hope his family finds some solace in that he died protecting innocent people. Prayers also to the Deputy Marshal that was wounded.
Please will someone from the Sun please permanently ban Rejco. He just posts hateful comments often on this site. Unless you are trying to display what is wrong with the human condition and using him as an example of that.
I am deeply saddened that another tragic incident like this had to happen with more lives that were endangered and lost, this is exactly what happens when the federal government system makes yet another individual go downright POSTAL.
Maybe if the federal government would just quit abusing their ponzi scheme system and stop denying benefits to so many people that we the american workers and employers for years and years pay into it (15.9 percent) ...and START getting the MORE ADEQUATE benefits were entitled to that WE deserve, stuff like this wouldn't happen.
Pretty sad when I paid into the ponzi scheme system for 31 years straight so far (7.65 percent out of my pocket) and not ever benefitted from it at all whenever I needed medical treatment and yet cant utilize for another 23 years a benefit I paid into for 31 years so far in order to help pay a portion of any medical treatment, ....Plus I wont even have the opportunity to see a reduced retirement check (should I decide to) for at least another 18 years from now (but still payin the federal ponzi scheme), ...and not being eligible for their medicare plan until 23 years from now (but still payin the federal ponzi scheme), - and THATS IF the system still exists while no newer rule changes or stiffer requirements develop between that time.
In order to have part of a hospital or medical bill paid, I must pay for private medical insurance to ensure this (but still payin the federal ponzi scheme), and hope like hell the private insurer will pay the portion according to the policy - so many underwriters and adjusters can and will find ways or excuses to deny your claim too, while changing the rules everyday at their discretion upon approving or denying the paying requirements to doctors and hospitals.... So many doctors in practice are now rejecting new medicare and tricare patients because the federal government will deny, pay so little, or pay maybe half of the billing on anyone's rendered services in which they are forced to take a loss AND wait 3 to 18 months to get reimbursed.
Be glad that "barrel man" only took his frustrations out on the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign, it could have been much worse for you know who in the crosshairs.
"Pretty sad when I paid into the ponzi scheme system for 31 years straight so far (7.65 percent out of my pocket) and not ever benefitted from it at all whenever I needed medical treatment and yet cant utilize for another 23 years a benefit I paid into for 31 years so far in order to help pay a portion of any medical treatment, ...."
So AKsilver - what you are saying here is that you've been paying into the system for 31 years and you CANNOT take advantage of any of it yet? Not for another 23 years? You are not retired nor are you old enough for Medicare yet? Is that what you are saying? Real confusing.
"In order to have part of a hospital or medical bill paid, I must pay for private medical insurance to ensure this (but still payin the federal ponzi scheme)"
And it seems you also have a gripe about your private insurance, too, judging by (or what I can barely understand) in the second half of your post.
BTW - I get the impression you are NOT on Medicare because if you are - you absolutely have no understandng on how IT works or the supplemental health insurance you are required to get along with Medicare. If that is the case - you need to find someone who will explain this to you so you can get what you are entitled.
Bottom line: You've been paying into the system for 31 years and cannot get anything for another 23 years - Really - WHAT THE HECK are you talking about?????
Calthompian
The LV Sun should take lessons from you on how to properly report a story. Thanks!
Aksilvereagle
I read your post again. I get that you want something for nothing NOW. Sorry. But that's not how that "ponzi scheme" works. Poor baby. You'll just have to wait your turn.
Hated the government, had substance abuse problems and relationship problems. like Glen Buck and Limpbaugh???? This guy was a tea party hate the government guy.
"Hell of a morning for jury duty". -From the youtube video.
Understatement of the week.
What a tragedy!! My heart and soul goes out to the families of the fallen.
Please ignore the negative comments on this posting. Keep in mind that these people have lost something in their lives (i.e. job, loved one, home) and most likely did not get the emotional support they were seeking so in turn, they lash out (albeit ignorantly and callously).
slain officer 72 yrs old? Hope that is a typo?
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder identified the slain officer as 72-year-old Stanley Cooper, a retired Metro Police officer employed by Akal Security. Cooper became a federal court security officer in Las Vegas in 1994.
So, mister expert "Rejco100", the "system" forced this nut to pull a shotgun and kill an innocent man? WRONG.
I have had MANY things happen in my life, where, if I subscribed to your beliefs, I could be justified in blowing the perp away, BUT NOT AN INNOCENT MAN TRYING TO DO HIS JOB, YOU BLOODY IDIOT.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS IS THE CORNERSTONE TO CIVILIZED SOCIETY. Your perp buddy broke that little code, paid with his life, and he richly deserved having his brains splattered on the LV street.
The guard he killed deserved nothing like he was given.
Hey mikegino
No where in the health care bill does it say any one is going to go to prison, as a matter of fact is explicitly says that NO ONE is going to jail for not buying insurance. Turn off beck and hannity for a second and read the bill and stop spreading lies.
Could someone do a breakdown of all the numbers with this guys benefits.