Shooting at DC zoo

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glockguy45

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At least 5 shot right now, Havent seen many details, will post when I see more

One child is in grave condition

One witness said 4 teenagers opened fired on each other and fired 7 shots

[This message has been edited by glockguy45 (edited April 24, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by glockguy45 (edited April 24, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by glockguy45 (edited April 24, 2000).]
 
You must be mistaken. Having lived close to there for several years, I know that it is highly illegal to even own guns in DC, never mind carry them at the zoo.
 
Five People Shot at National Zoo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Police said five children were injured in a shooting at the National Zoo in Washington on Monday and taken to local hospitals, in what bystanders described as the result of fighting between two groups of youths.

One fire and rescue official on the scene said two adults were also taken to the hospital for treatment, including a pregnant woman, but neither one suffered any gunshot wounds.

Local television stations reported that two of the children injured were 12 years old, including one boy who was shot in the head and was reported in grave condition at a local hospital.

One witness told the local NBC affiliate she saw two groups of teenagers, numbering at least 40, arguing at the entrance of the zoo, and she saw several youths brandishing guns. The woman spoke in a live interview on camera, but was not identified.

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Protect your Right to Keep and Bear Arms!

[This message has been edited by Gorthaur (edited April 24, 2000).]
 
7 Hurt At Washington Zoo Shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) - Seven people, including at least one child, were shot Monday evening at the National Zoo, authorities said.

The child was in ``very grave'' condition, said Capt. Brian Lee, spokesman for the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

Reports said at least two of the victims were shot at the zoo's visitors center and one was shot at the zoo entrance on Connecticut Avenue, a main thoroughfare in the northwest section of the capital.

There was no immediate word of any arrests or the conditions of the other victims.

One witness said the shootings came during a dispute between two groups of teen-agers. Another witness says someone threw a bottle and that a piece of glass bounced off her face - after which the shots rang out.

The zoo was crowded with people marking African-American Family Celebration Day.

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Protect your Right to Keep and Bear Arms!

[This message has been edited by Gorthaur (edited April 24, 2000).]
 
6 Hurt At Washington Zoo Shooting

By NANCY ZUCKERBROD, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Gunfire rang through the National Zoo on Monday evening as a feud between youths turned violent, leaving six children wounded. A 12-year-old boy was in grave condition, according to witnesses and authorities.

Capt. Brian Lee, a spokesman for the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services, said one boy suffered grave wounds to the head and and the others did not appear to have life-threatening injuries.

One girl was in serious condition with a gunshot wound to the chest. A seventh victim suffered a seizure, Lee said.

Police helicopters hovered over the zoo after the shooting as authorities sought a gunman. The zoo, a unit of the Smithsonian Institution, was playing host to a African-American family celebration day at the time gunfire broke out.

Zoo visitors were shaken by the episode.

"I am not bring them back. These are my grandkids. It is not safe," said Sandra Edwards, who was visiting the zoo with her grandchildren when she heard the shots and saw youths fighting.

Nakisha Johnson, 17, said she saw one young man open fire after a feud between youths became violent. She said the children who were wounded were caught in the middle of the two groups of youths.

"He was just shooting at the people he was fighting" but struck the children bystanders, Johnson said.

Other witnesses said the shooting occurred when a bottle was thrown from one group of youths to another. A piece of glass struck a young woman in the face, and then shots rang out, the witnesses said.

About an hour later, Vice President Al Gore announced the shootings at a Democratic fund-raiser in New York City, bringing gasps from members of the audience that included actress Lauren Bacall.

"We really have to have mandatory child safety trigger locks, and photo license IDs for the purchase of new handguns," Gore told the crowd, sounding a frequent Clinton administration theme. The president and first lady were also at the fund-raiser.

Reports said at least two of the victims were shot at the zoo's visitors center and one was shot at the zoo entrance on Connecticut Avenue, a main thoroughfare in the northwest section of the capital.

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Yeah, right, Al. New gun laws would have changed this how?
confused.gif

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Protect your Right to Keep and Bear Arms!

[This message has been edited by Gorthaur (edited April 24, 2000).]
 
If it is already illegal to have a gun in DC, much less the zoo there... how would having trigger locks have changed this? Also... I thought trigger locks were to help keep little ones from accidentally firing a gun, not keep teenagers from acting out of rage?
frown.gif
 
Comments like this burn me up. Here it is illegal to even own a handgun in D.C. and yet this is an example as to why we need registration and trigger locks? Nobody is that stupid. So that only leaves one reason why it is said. To disarm everyone.

Of course I could be wrong.... after all didn't Gore invent the internet? But where is the press. Are they that stupid not to call him on it?



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Richard

The debate is not about guns,
but rather who has the ultimate power to rule,
the People or Government.
RKBA!
 
Perhaps our cry should be RKBA It's to protect the adults stupid I will not even pretend to guess where this will lead us but rest assured that the first felon and his troopers will make good use of it.
 
Can someone please tell me how in the h*ll trigger locks and photo IDs for buying new handguns would have stopped this group of young (read under 21) people who could not legally buy these guns in the first place, in Washington DC, where they have some of the strictest gun control laws in the country who more than likely obtained these weapons through illegal means (straw man purchase, theft, purchased from thieves). Anyone with half a brain should be able to see this shouldn't they?

45er

[This message has been edited by 45er (edited April 24, 2000).]
 
One Dead; Five Hurt In Zoo Shooting

By NANCY ZUCKERBROD, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - A feud between youths at the National Zoo ended in a hail of gunfire Monday evening, killing a 12-year-old boy and wounding five other children at one of the capital's most popular tourist sites.

Police were investigating whether the shooting was gang related and sought at least one teen-age gunman who fired a handgun into groups of youths after a confrontation escalated to bottle throwing and then shots, according to authorities and witnesses.

The victims ranged in age from 11 to 16 and were attending a century-old post-Easter gathering at the zoo celebrating African-American families. A police source,
speaking on condition of anonymity, said a 12-year-old boy shot in the head died after being taken to a hospital.

Another girl was in serious condition with a wound to the chest and at least three other youths were listed in critical condition.

Hours later, police still circled the zoo in helicopters. ``We are looking into the possibility that it is gang-related, but we are not certain,'' Police Chief Charles Ramsey said.

The zoo, a unit of the Smithsonian Institution, is one of the most visited sites in Washington, drawing 3 million local residents and tourists each year. Nestled inside one of northwest Washington's wealthiest neighborhoods, it has seldom experienced violence and was better known for the rare Chinese pandas it housed for over two decades.

The gunfire shortly after 6 p.m. EDT in broad daylight stunned visitors.

"I am not bringing them back. These are my grandkids. It is not safe," said Sandra Edwards, who was visiting the zoo with her grandchildren when she heard the shots and saw youths fighting.

In addition to the shootings, a seventh victim suffered a seizure and a pregnant woman was taken to the hospital after going into apparent labor, authorities said.

Witnesses said the shooting occurred near the entrance along Connecticut Avenue, one of the city's main thoroughfares.

Assistant Chief Terrance Gainer said police suspected a 9 mm handgun was used and roped off two shooting scenes - one just outside the zoo entrance and the other about 300 feet inside the zoo.

Nakisha Johnson, 17, said she saw one young man open fire after a feud between youths became violent. She said the children who were wounded were caught in the middle of the two groups.

"He was just shooting at the people he was fighting" but struck the children bystanders, Johnson said.

The zoo planned to remain closed Tuesday. "It is just a terrible, terrible tragedy. Our hearts go out to the families," zoo spokesman Robert Hoage said.

Witnesses said the shooting occurred when a bottle was thrown from one group of youths at some other youths in a crowd near the zoo gate. A piece of glass struck a young woman in the face, and then shots rang out, the witnesses said.

Mayor Anthony Williams visited Children's Hospital to console victims' families. Three of the wounded were taken there and all were in critical condition, said Dr. Marty Eichelberger, the chief trauma surgeon.

About an hour after the shooting, Vice President Al Gore announced the shootings at a Democratic fund-raiser in New York City, bringing gasps from the audience that included actress Lauren Bacall. "We really have to have mandatory child safety trigger locks," Gore told the crowd, sounding a frequent administration theme.

The zoo was established by Congress in 1889 as part of the Smithsonian Institution. It covers 163 wooded acres along Rock Creek in the heart of the capital.

Though located on one of the capital's main boulevards, it has seldom experienced violence.

In 1995, a Little Rock, Ark., woman was found mauled to death in the lion exhibit. Police and the medical examiner ruled the death a suicide.

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Protect your Right to Keep and Bear Arms!

[This message has been edited by Gorthaur (edited April 24, 2000).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 45er:
Can someone please tell me how in the h*ll trigger locks and photo IDs for buying new handguns would have stopped this group of young (read under 21) people who could not legally buy these guns in the first place, in Washington DC, where they have some of the strictest gun control laws in the country who more than likely obtained these weapons through illegal means (straw man purchase, theft, purchased from thieves). Anyone with half a brain should be able to see this shouldn't they?

45er

[This message has been edited by 45er (edited April 24, 2000).]
[/quote]

As the late Mike Royko pointed out, suppliers for gang members deal out of car trunks and abandoned buildings. Reminds me of an incident in CA where somebody was selling new semiauto pistols to gang members for $25 and new SMG's for about $50. When one considers that black market dealers are in the business for big profits that should raise som eyebrows. How much more of that (i.e. discount selling)is going on?

Regards,

Bill



[This message has been edited by cadmanws (edited April 25, 2000).]
 
did anyone else catch the description of the shooters? I heard this on Fox and CNN.

"Most of the victims were caught in the cross fire of shots fired by RIVAL YOUTH GROUPS."

I take it that this is the new politically correct way to say STREET GANGS!

What is the matter with these people, call a thug a thug, don't play it down. I suppose in a few days it will be the fault of the victims for getting in the way of the "Youth Group's" activities....jeeez.

JP
 
Next thing you know, if two crack dealers have a shoot out - al gore and HCI are going to say ... ah ha! If we only had national registration and trigger locks this thing would not happen.
 
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