|
Post by frankcor on Apr 3, 2009 12:01:04 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by chris on Apr 3, 2009 13:16:30 GMT -5
This is tragic. I just heard the breaking announcement on TV. Why are we hearing more and more stories such as this one. The world is mad.
|
|
|
Post by Swimmy on Apr 3, 2009 13:54:40 GMT -5
The incident began around 10:30 when the Binghamton Police began closing down Front St. and Main St. The story was that at least 12-13 were dead with 20 or so wounded. Binghamton High School, DSS, Seaton High School, and many other businesses, residences, and other buildings were evacuated. There were snipers on the rooftops from across the street.
I was in the court house on Hawley St., a few blocks south east from the American Civic Association. So I was safe. But there was talk about closing down the courthouse. For a long time, I could not send any text messages or make any phone calls. We've been asked to keep it to a minimum.
Mayor Ryan has not issued more facts. But we've known about the 12-13 dead since about 11:30 through court security. Around 1:40ish, 29 hostages were released and two people were taken into custody with plastic restraints. No one knows for certain whether the shooter is still on the loose. There are several unconfirmed rumors: 1. the shooter escaped and is lurking around the east side, near my office; 2. the shooter killed himself; and 3. the shooter was one of the two taken into custody. According to court security if those two were the shooter, they would be in steel handcuffs. The Broome County Courthouse has just closed at 3 pm.
|
|
|
Post by Swimmy on Apr 3, 2009 13:55:33 GMT -5
There were helicopters flying around earlier and calls for Broome County SWAT. But we are being kept in the dark. I'm staying put. We have our doors locked. Besides, who can shoot legal aid.
|
|
|
Post by Clipper on Apr 3, 2009 14:52:18 GMT -5
Thank goodness you are okay Swimmy. I was in the grocery store here in Tennessee when I first saw it on the cable news network. Our Food Country store has an area in the front, where you can buy high end coffee and stuff, and sit in a really luxurious pit group area on overstuffed furniture. There is a 52" flat screen TV there. I parked my buggy and watched for about 20 minutes, but they simply kept running the same short video loop of emt's rolling a stretcher down the sidewalk, and an ambulance leaving the scene. They are not confirming the numbers here as of yet.
I am just glad you are okay my friend. I didn't know how far from there you work, or if you would have any business in that building.
|
|
|
Post by frankcor on Apr 3, 2009 15:26:31 GMT -5
I'm glad you're safe Swimmy.
|
|
|
Post by Swimmy on Apr 3, 2009 15:28:07 GMT -5
It was annoying because I kept getting a text message here and there, but could not send any replies or make any phone calls. Fortunately, I was safe and did not have to worry too much. But it did anger my friends from across country trying to make sure I was alright.
It's interesting. I have a psycho next door who has been making my life a living hell for the past few months and really stepped up her efforts this past weekend/week. It's been so grinding on me that it has effected my personality and demeanor. Everyone has been worried that I'm alright. But today, with everyone calling me or messaging me here, it is refreshing to know that some people care about me and would miss me. My friend Ian said, "I can't imagine a world without Ryan." That really struck home today.
Anywhooo, I hope the victims' families are alright. There was an urgent e-mail from the New York State Bar Association asking volunteers for anyone fluent in a foreign language. If you are near the area and wish to offer your services, e-mail bleber@nysba.org. Be sure to include your contact information and the language you speak.
|
|
|
Post by dgriffin on Apr 3, 2009 18:32:24 GMT -5
Glad you're OK, Swimmy. Keep your head down, of course. Don't take any chances, including toward the wacko next door.
|
|
|
Post by bobbbiez on Apr 3, 2009 19:02:21 GMT -5
Chris, you are so right, "the world is mad." Too much of this happening on a daily basis and unless you are personally involved it just makes the headlines for a few days and then all is forgotten until the next tragedy. It really saddens me and makes me wonder what is really happening to all of us. I sat here today watching channel 10 as the whole thing was unfolded and I did shed quite a few tears thinking about all those people and their families who were so filled with hopes for a better life here in the US and now they are gone and for what? All the problems I felt I had went right out the window. My priority was no longer how high my taxes were or what some damn politician was doing or anything else I could find fault with to bitch about. I just want to know what I can do to help these people and others who are facing such unbearable pain right now. Nothing else matters. Maybe that is what we all have to get back to. Really helping and caring for each other.
|
|
|
Post by concerned on Apr 3, 2009 20:25:21 GMT -5
"I have a psycho next door who has been making my life a living hell for the past few months and really stepped up her efforts this past weekend/week."
I can give ya some advice.
Yes the world is moving toward its own destruction. We deny human life is the womb. so why is it so special after birth. And what is even worse is that we are becoming immune to all this death around us. It's a culture of death we live in. For a second it almost got me for a second when WKTV interrupted Judge Judy with that special report. I guess on tomorrows news we will see massive starvation and poverty and death in Africa. Oh well I think I will have a piece of cake.
|
|
|
Post by Swimmy on Apr 3, 2009 20:32:39 GMT -5
"I have a psycho next door who has been making my life a living hell for the past few months and really stepped up her efforts this past weekend/week." I can give ya some advice. I don't use that term lightly. She has taken my garbage can that is in a common area and thrown it down the stairs, emptied the garbage and strewn it all over my screen door, and even hidden it on me. She has banged on the walls at 6 am on a saturday. She has accused me of spitting on her boyfriend's car, tampering with her mailbox, and stalking her. Saturday, she called the police. Turns out the officer is her boyfriend's best friend. That cop is in for a rude awakening with his police chief. She's going to be slapped with a nice slander suit. And the landlord is going to be slapped with a nice negligence lawsuit. I'm looking to move out and then terminate my lease on constructive eviction grounds. They don't even know what's coming.
|
|
|
Post by concerned on Apr 3, 2009 21:01:43 GMT -5
"I have a psycho next door who has been making my life a living hell for the past few months and really stepped up her efforts this past weekend/week." I can give ya some advice. I don't use that term lightly. She has taken my garbage can that is in a common area and thrown it down the stairs, emptied the garbage and strewn it all over my screen door, and even hidden it on me. She has banged on the walls at 6 am on a saturday. She has accused me of spitting on her boyfriend's car, tampering with her mailbox, and stalking her. Saturday, she called the police. Turns out the officer is her boyfriend's best friend. That cop is in for a rude awakening with his police chief. She's going to be slapped with a nice slander suit. And the landlord is going to be slapped with a nice negligence lawsuit. I'm looking to move out and then terminate my lease on constructive eviction grounds. They don't even know what's coming. My God I just thought you meant the run of the mill psycho--this one is certified. Be careful and of course document everything---can't you get some kind of restraining order or order of protection aginst her( not sure if both of those are the same thing) THOSE OF US HERE ON CLIPPERS CORNER COULD SHOW UP AT HER DOOR.....just a thought!
|
|
|
Post by bobbbiez on Apr 3, 2009 21:53:23 GMT -5
Concerned, don't want to put myself on a higher pedestal but I will never become immune to any death around me. I value and hold life very precious. I may not be able to physically help those in a tragedy but I can and do pray for all. I will do, whatever, I can possibly do to assist anyone in need. Throughout my life and having to deal with some tragedy in my own family I have learned not to bitch about or waste time on the little things that just annoy us. If something is important I do work to try to correct the problem but I will not just sit around and pitch a bitch about something I'm not willing to help correct. I suggest you lighten up on live and take the time to smell the roses that are in front of you. They might be few but you are still here to take in the scent that comes your way. Not so for many, including 14 people in this tragedy today. It proves what I've learned in my many years, and that is there is always someone carrying a bigger cross that you have to bear.
|
|
|
Post by Ralph on Apr 4, 2009 1:30:36 GMT -5
Swimmy, I am comforted to know that you are well and stayed out of harms way. Events such as this are becoming too commonplace in our daily lives, so much so that without vigilance we will become complacent and not recognize that ills of the world because of it.
Men flow into life, and ebb into death.
Some are filled with life; Some are empty with death; Some hold fast to life, and thereby perish, For life is an abstraction.
Those who are filled with life Need not fear tigers and rhinos in the wilds, Nor wear armour and shields in battle; The rhinoceros finds no place in them for its horn, The tiger no place for its claw, The soldier no place for a weapon, For death finds no place in them.
|
|
|
Post by lucy on Apr 4, 2009 7:48:01 GMT -5
Swimmy glad to hear that you are ok. As far as having a pyscho living near you, i had a friend who had a pyscho after them. The person stalking would use a throw away cell phone and text my friend all these nasty messages (because of sexual orientation). Then this person sent my friend email after email talking about they know where my friend lives, they are going to kill my friend and my friend's family. It was crazy because I was hanging out with my friend one night when it was going on and my friend showed me everything. My heart dropped you feel like you are in a lifetime movie event. I hope everything works out for you. The Sherriffs didn't do anything they did some investigating but that was all. Everything has stopped but still. I know that I have mentioned this before on here so sorry for repeating. I hope everything turns out for you. Many thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims in Binghamton.
|
|