BREAKING: Major mall shooting at Westroads Mall in Omaha, Nebraska

[originalpckelly]

From MSNBC:

OMAHA, Neb. - At least five people were shot Wednesday at a busy Omaha mall, local media reported, and police locked down the shopping center.

At least two people were carried out in stretchers, NBC affiliate WOWT-TV reported. Officials told the station that one person had a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It was unclear if it was the shooter.

At least five people were transported to a local hospital. Police told WOWT-TV that all the injured had been removed from the store.

***SNIP***

A description of the shooter, broadcast over scanners, was that it was a man wearing an Army-green vest and holding a rifle.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22116784/

UPDATE Possibly ten people shot in the mall. Suspect is apparently in custody.

UPDATE 2 There have been other violent incidents at this mall in the past week, including the finding of an explosive device! Per CNN Headline News.

http://www.westroadsmall.com/html/storedirectory.asp

Above is a store directory from the mall; a map. The shooting is reported to have occurred at the Von Maur store.

[bobthedrummer]

1. The Decider was in Omaha today...

[originalpckelly]

4. It doesn't sound like it is at all related...

but it interesting that he'd be there. Harbinger of bad luck?

[Wcross]

57. Sort of like the "Mothman"?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothman

[Liberal In Texas]

66. The local stations are doing wall-to-wall on the shootings, * is going to be ignored,

guess he picked the wrong day for a photo-op.

[okoboji]

2. wow

I've actually been to that mall.....

[originalpckelly]

3. Oh my.

That's got to be weird. Hell, I live in Colorado and I've never been there before and I feel weird!

[TwilightGardener]

5. I go there sometimes--scary stuff.

[originalpckelly]

6. It feels like it's a mall Columbine.

[Liberal In Texas]

68. I've been to that mall a lot.

Almost every time I go to Omaha.

[proud2BlibKansan]

121. So have I

This is really awful.

[Blue_In_AK]

7. Tis the season...

We had a guy here a couple of days ago who killed his father with a machete, sliced up his father's girlfriend, then drove into town, killed a stranger who was getting into his car, realized he couldn't get the guy out from behind the wheel to steal the car, so he just left him there slumped over the wheel where his neighbors found him. He then went to another part of town, shot a woman in the back who was walking on a trail minding her own business, and then shot another man who had just gotten out of his vehicle after turning it on to warm it up (apparently having figured out that if he was going to steal the car, he didn't want anyone in it). By this time, the police were on to him, chased him in the stolen vehicle across town and finally had to slam into him to get him to stop. So two dead people, three seriously injured.

Apparently the motivation was that he didn't think his family liked him. Gee, I wonder why.

[Wiregrass Willie]

63. Maybe a sales clerk accidentally said "Merry Christmas!"

You know how that will set some people off.

[malaise]

8. Has anyone spotted Dick

Cheney? I know he's really pissed about that NIE report. Nah he's too much of a coward to kill himself.

[Gruenemann]

11. Spotted Dick?

Isn't that an English dessert dish?

[goodgd_yall]

14. lol!

[originalpckelly]

24. Either that or a detective with acne!

[aikoaiko]

9. This is an example of why I got my permit to carry a concealed weapon and carry.

You never know when someone with malice will come your way.

[slackmaster]

15. I will bet you a pint of Guinness Stout the mall has a "no weapons" policy posted

:beer:

[aikoaiko]

21. Ok. You're on. This was in Omaha, NEi think its an even money bet.

But I only drink Miller Lite because I'm a lowclass mofo. :(


eta: I can't find anything at their site: http://www.westroadsmall.com/html/mallinfo.asp

But it is all too often that stores prevent the good people from carry a weapon to protect themselves from the bad guys who are not known for following the rules.

[michreject]

26. In Michigan

Malls can't put up a no gun sign. The state regulate where you can carry a gun.:)

[Hoof Hearted]

37. There is DEFINITELY a no firearms policy & as a local resident I feel qualified to say keep your

cowboy ass at home please. I don't want every dead-eye dick with a wild west fantasy walking around in my community packing heat. I say this as a person whose mother may have been in that mall as we speak. She was shopping with a senior group and I can't raise her by phone.

I STILL don't want you or anyone else who fancies themselves to be the cowboy in the white hat packing heat everywhere I go.

[hogwyld]

41. My prayers are with you and your Mom.

I hope she's safe and sound.

[Hoof Hearted]

44. Thanks. I'm typing so I can distract myself from the crying and the jitters

She probably just forgot to turn her phone on again. But I know they were shopping. But I don't know exactly what hours they were shopping. I just wish she would answer the DAMN PHONE. Please God.

[malaise]

99. Hope she's OK

:grouphug:

[aikoaiko]

47. I hope your mother (and her group) are well.

But otherwise, I'll still continue to carry weapon to defend myself and others should it ever come down to that. You can thank me later.

;)

[karlrschneider]

55. Way better to only let the nutcases carry them.

I see what you mean.

[hogwyld]

59. No, it's way better to outlaw and confiscate them all!!! n/t

[ProdigalJunkMail]

165. we can't even keep them out of the hands of criminals

so how the hell do you propose getting ALL of them?

sP

[Hoof Hearted]

60. Way better to glorify the culture of guns - it's WORKING OUT SO WELL.

as I can see with my own eyes.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

69. Oh no...

Please let us know when you hear from her, ok? I keep you, your mom, and all those who are in the area in my thoughts.

[rucky]

71. Please keep us posted.

prayers to your mom.

[renate]

85. does she live in a residential facility? maybe you could call reception

She's probably blissfully unaware 1) that her cell phone is off and 2) that you're worrying yourself sick.

(If something like this happened where you live and she couldn't get hold of you on your cell phone, you know she'd scold you. Moms don't realize that their kids worry about them, too.)

[hogwyld]

49. People are dead and your making bets and cracking jokes? n/t

[aikoaiko]

62. Yes I did, and I shouldn't have, but I noticed you didn't make the same comment above

I guess you liked their jokes.

[michreject]

127. I didn't read a joke in his reply

just a statement of fact.

This incident is why I carry a gun every place I go. So does my wife.

[MadHound]

33. Oh that would be a bright move

You and the perp getting into a firefight in a crowded mall. So much for innocent bystanders, eh:eyes:

[uppityperson]

34. Naw, good guys can always outshoot bad guys.

Watch any movie, you'll see.

[hogwyld]

38. If the Gungeon nutters had their way

Everone in that mall would be armed. The crossfire of a thousand people would be horrific. Take them all now!

[aikoaiko]

40. ummm. did you miss the part where innocent bystanders were already being slaughtered

I carry a gun for one simple reason -- I just want the chance to defend myself or others should someone need to be stopped from gravely hurting or killing others. I hope I never find myself in that situation.

[Hoof Hearted]

42. Typical cowboy in the white hat fantasy. Doesn't work out that way though.

I'm glad concealed weapons are BANNED in my community. IT'S INSANE.

[beevul]

144. Do you read what you write?

"Typical cowboy in the white hat fantasy. Doesn't work out that way though."


That might be the most ignorant tripe I have ever read.


Do you assert that everyone that carries a spare tire in thier car has a "flat tire fantasy",

or that everyone with fire extinguishers has a "fire fantasy"

or that everyone that wears seatbelts has an "accident fantasy"?


Fucking ignorant tripe at its best.

[hogwyld]

43. So instead of having 5 dead

we'd have close to a hundred with everyone firing off rounds at each other. That's real smart.

[aikoaiko]

don't be such a fear mongerer.

[hogwyld]

77. I don't live in fear, therefore, I don't need a gun

You on the other hand...

[uppityperson]

96. No. Remember, good guys never miss.

:sarcasm: for those who wonder.

[MadHound]

So putting more lead into the air is going to somehow lessen that number?

Puhleeze! Have you ever been in a situation even remotely similar to such an occurrence? How good is your aim, your judgement, your aim? Hell, even professionals in the field, law enforcement officers with years of experience, have and do shoot innocent bystanders in such a situation because of all the unpredictable variables that are occurring at the same time. Yet you think that you can draw down and kill the perp with one well placed shot. Give me a fucking break, this isn't a movie and you aren't Bruce Willis.

Why the fuck do you think that in situations such as this the police's first priority is to get the bystanders out of the way? Crossfire pal, crossfire. You fire a shot at this guy, and most likely miss, possibly striking someone else, he opens up at you, you return, more lead in the air, more innocents killed.

Please give up your cartoonish notions of what happens in such circumstances, you don't have a fucking clue.

[hogwyld]

52. Amen Madhound!

These gun nutters live in an utter fantasy world where they portray themselves as some Bruce Willis/Rambo/Schwarzenegger cartoon hero that saves the day.

[aikoaiko]

53. I guess its just better to let the shooters shoot until they run out of ammo.

:shrug:

[karlrschneider]

58. There's a somewhat unofficial "rule" on DU that says defending yourself or others is verboten.

You're just supposed to watch people get slaughtered until the cops come.

[MadHound]

97. No, we just prefer to deal in reality rather than fantasy

The reality of the matter is that if you open up on a perp in the middle of a crowded mall, the odds are very high that you yourself are going to be killing innocent bystanders. You aren't fucking Rambo, killing with one shot.

Deal in reality rather than fantasy.

[karlrschneider]

117. Those odds don't apply to me. They might to you.

I would appreciate you refraining from speculating on what me myself might do.

[MadHound]

128. LOL, yeah, right, whatever

What experience have you had? What's your marksmanship like? Have you had any law enforcement or armed forces training? If you haven't had any of those, then frankly your just another trigger happy Rambo with a gun who thinks that Die Hard is reality, not fiction. Even if you have had such training, the odds of you doing a one and one are low, very low, and any cop in the field will state that flat out to your face. Why the fuck do you think that cops are so dead set against conceal carry? Collateral damamge is such a high probability, that's why.

[karlrschneider]

134. Law enforcement: check, worked my way through college as a policeman.

Military? Check. Numerous marksman medals. The rest of your observations are silly pap.
(You can verify my claims pretty easily...I use my real name here)

[MadHound]

153. Somehow I doubt your claims

Unless you were working in a read backwoods, backwards police dept. Being a police officer isn't just a job that you can walk in off the street and apply for like you do for a burger flipping joint. You have to undergo years of intensive training, even back in the day, before you are allowed on the force. Now it is almost a universal requirement that you get a CJ degree before you get on the force. Somehow I doubt that you attended such intensive training while going to college, all for a part time job:shrug: Besides, if you had been in the military, you have your college fully or partially paid for through the GI bill, so there would be no need for you to be a cop:shrug:

Oh, and what marksman medals did you get? Are you a CMP member? What's your mark at a 1000 yds? Pistol or rifle?

Call me a sceptic, but your story is ringing hollow.

[karlrschneider]

159. Tulsa, Oklahoma Police Department. I went through the Academy

and still have the graduation certificate. I was in the ANG and going to college BEFORE I went into active Air Force (1963 to 1969) - and I have no idea what a CMP is, nor do I care. But you know what, I don't really give a rusty fuck what you "believe" or not.

[uppityperson]

98. Invalid choices. Are the only choices guns for all or let yourself be slaughtered?

Seriously? Are these the only 2 choices?

[hogwyld]

81. No, it's much better if we confiscate them all

and ban the sale or manufacture of ammunition and it's components. Sure there will be some hard core crazies to make their own, but the majority of the population will not.

[aikoaiko]

87. Question: police and miliary too? or just civilians?

Good luck with this agenda and you make me grateful for the Constitution and BoR.

[hogwyld]

88. Of course the police and military keep theirs

But once we get a good liberal Dem in the white house to load up the SC, we can then revisit this whole individual "right" vs. a WELL REGULATED MILITIA. Sure, you can keep your old flintlock musket, but everything else needs to be turned in.

[aikoaiko]

91. I think a good Liberal Dem and scholarly judges would only support the 2nd

Being liberal is about the liberty.

You're only real hope is to repeal the 2nd amendment and even then banning and confiscating all weapons is practically a pipe dream of extremists.


eta: I'm bowing out of these subthreads with you because I think we will only argue. Yes, I took the time and effort to get licensed in my state to carry a concealed weapon just in case something bad (like the incident in the mall) happens my way. I have no secret delusions of being a hero or cowboy or supermarksmen. I just want the chance to defend myself from people with malice or no control over themselves.

[MadHound]

106. I support the Second Amendment myself, and yes I own guns

However I'm not in favor of CCW for the same reason the police aren't in favor of CCW. While defending yourself, you could very well kill innocent bystanders who wouldn't otherwise get shot. Your right to defend yourself stops when you start killing others who aren't involved. Have you had professional law enforcement training? Have you been in any sort of firefight? If not, then pulling out your gun and blazing away is going to cause more problems than it will solve.

[aikoaiko]

133. I'm sympathetic to your concern, but we just don't see that happening even though CCW is the norm

When I say CCW is the norm, I mean it is permitted in almost all states, but relatively few people avail themselves of the opportunity.

I look at CCW much like licensing people to drive cars. Sure, we all could start driving recklessly and kill each other, but we don't. Yes, there are some individuals who do and there are deaths and injuries as a result, but the answer is good initial training and law enforcement -- the answer is not not allowing people to drive in public. The analogy breaks down, of course, but you get my point Im sure.

[I work for workers]

135. You honestly don't beleive the Second in an individual right?

What do you believe it is?

[michreject]

136. One good sniper with a flintlock

equals two guns. Two good snipers equals four guns. Four good snipers equals eight guns. And so on. Russia learned this lessen in Afghanistan.

[Ghost in the Machine]

140. Look up the definition of "militia" before you spout off any more..

you're only embarrassing yourself by showing off your total lack of knowledge and posting in a reactionary manner.

You people who want to ban everything that you don't agree with make me sick, and I wish you'd go form your own party somewhere and get the fuck out of *my* Democratic Party. I hear the fascists are looking for members... you might fit in better with them and their ideals of banning what they don't like and having their authoritarian rule and control.

[hogwyld]

169. Struck a nerve did I?

Funny how you have a quote from the great DK, who would like to strengthen gun regulations.

[Ghost in the Machine]

170. Ignorance *always* strikes a nerve....

and you're still showing yours off by not even knowing what "the great DK" is calling for. He's called for a ban of handguns, not ALL guns.

Have you looked up that definition of "militia" yet??

[hogwyld]

171. And resorting to personal attacks

is a sure fire way to admit defeat...

[Ghost in the Machine]

172. How is trying to educate you about the errors in your thinking a personal attack?

:shrug:

The only thing being defeated here is your lack of knowledge of what you're talking about...

Now... about that definition...

[MadHound]

93. Again, while the perp is changing the clip, you think that you can shoot and kill?

You're thinking in fictional terms, you think that you're some sort of movie hero who can shoot and kill without missing and with impunity.

Let me let you in on one such variable that separates reality from fiction. Human beings are hard wired, no matter the situation, no matter the threat, not to kill a human being. This has been proven time and again by studies and tests, including the real life world of the battlefield. In fact this problem was so bad that the US Army did a study about this after WWI. What they found is that it took at least ten shots before an enemy was hit. Didn't matter how well the person was hidden or not, soldiers simply pulled their shot, going wide, or high, or short or not shooting at all. This was found to be the case as far back as the civil war. This is why the Army, and later all of the armed services, instituted a process to break down the human psyche, eliminate that inborn reluctance to kill, and turn a civilian into a killing machine. Thus was born basic training as we know it.

How long does it take to change a clip, five, fifteen seconds? Assume that the perp will be taking cover while changing, so your shot is still going to be a difficult one.

Sorry, but you're still out in fantasy land.

[hogwyld]

104. Yeah, but doesn't the "good guy"

become in instant sharpshooter if he yells yippeekaiay while pulling the trigger?

[aikoaiko]

141. You keep arguing as if someone said it would be easy.... no one did

You talk about "hard-wired" and "inborn" actions, but you seem to dismiss the desire to preserve oneself and loved ones.

I understand its difficult to act in self-defense, but people do act and they succeed. Firearms help those people succeed in defending themselves from bad guys.

I believe it is you who live the fantasy world of people not being able or willing to defend themselves. Maybe this is true of yourself. Maybe you would not be able to shoot someone who is shooting at you or others. But you have to believe me that there are people, maybe just a few, who would fight back. These are the people who submit an application to carry a weapon in public, submit their finger prints to their state leo, undergo background checks, wait a couple of months to get their permit, receive training in classrooms and at ranges, and/or complete qualifying shoots. Some people take personal defense seriously.

[MadHound]

148. No fantasy here friend

Just letting you know what the facts are, facts derived from numerous psychological and real world studies, conducted by the government and academic institutions. If you don't want to believe them, fine, but that still doesn't lessen their validity. After all, if they weren't valid, why would the government change its entire training program?

I don't doubt that people are willing to defend themselves, or that they would even take steps in that direction, even including firing a weapon. What the crux of the matter is how effective will that effort be and how many other innocent bystanders they would take down in their attempt. Is it worth killing another twelve,six, or even one person who wouldn't have died just to get the perp? I say no, it isn't.

Classrooms, ranges and such like controlled situations don't prepare you for the chaos and insanity of a real fire fight. And frankly, if you've never experienced that, you are going to be a danger to yourself and others when you get into one. That is why law enforcement officials are against CCW, the cost in innocent lives isn't worth it.

[aikoaiko]

149. ok, I'm willing to learn -- cite me some studies that show what you claim.

that civilians are ineffective at defending themselves.

[MadHound]

154. Cool, go to your local government records depository

Probably your local college library will have one of these, and look for the US Army study done on excessive ammunition usage during WWI. Read that and get back to me.

[aikoaiko]

156. I'll look, but why can't you cite one of these studies?

eta: I understand you referred me to a library, but googling the phrase brought up nothing.

[MadHound]

160. I just did.

I gave you enough information to go look it up, what more do you want? Sorry, but there are some things that simply aren't on the web. I pointed you in the direction, go do your research.

[aikoaiko]

161. Ok, I see asking you to cite something means something different to you than me.

I was asking for a citation. Since you said there were numerous studies on the matter, I thought you might recall or being able to provide the citation for one.

I didn't expect to find the report online, but I would expect a reference to it.

[MadHound]

163. My bad, I don't remember the exact name

However I've given you the information that you need to find it, where you can find it. If that doesn't satisfy you, well:shrug:

Sorry, but I'm not a walking bibliography machine.

[Tesha]

164. It's a shame we can't run controlled experiments regarding this.

I'm certain you're correct, but we'll never convince
the action-movie fans until it's finally tried somewhere,
full-scale, and ends up in a slaughter.

Well, maybe some mall in Texas will oblige us one of
these days.

But even afterewards, the nutters will still come up
with dozens of obscure technical reasons why the
dozens or hundreds of dead wouldn't have died "if
only...". "If only Sam's gun hadn't jammed..." "If
only they'd had proper ammo..." "If only those dark-
skinned kids hadn't been wearing hoodies just like
the original shooter..." "If only Officer Johnson
hadn't gotten into my line of fire..." "If only
the mall hadn't had that masonry stairwell for the
shooter to have crouched down into..."

Tesha

[opiate69]

131. Yeah.. that whole "defend myself" thing worked out great for Dan McKown.

http://www.komotv.com/news/archive/4169986.html

[aikoaiko]

138. fighting back is risky, but for some people its a better choice than running or hiding

[RB TexLa]

147. If she's not shooting at me, my gun stays put

[izzie]

10. This love of guns will kill us all in time I guess.

Does any one feel safe with all these guns? Just asking.

[goodgd_yall]

12. No

There aren't enough laws to limit gun ownership and to track those who have them.

[hogwyld]

35. This is exactly why we need to confiscate them ALL!

most of the guns the bad guys get are from the "law abiding" ones. Confiscate them all, and the bad guys supply drops to nothing. This is why I'm voting for Dennis.

[karlrschneider]

61. You won't get mine. (gun or vote)

...

[hogwyld]

90. Does that mean if an anti gun Dem is nominated

you'll vote rethuglican?

[karlrschneider]

107. No it means I won't vote.

...

[uppityperson]

111. So you will let this single issue decide for you?

Sorry Karl, you lost me there.

[karlrschneider]

113. Doesn't everyone have a deal-breaker? That happens to be mine.

...

[uppityperson]

118. No, everyone doesn't come down to a single issue

I'd vote for a anti-choice candidate about a pro-choice one, dependent upon their stands on all the other issues, and that's saying a lot. I won't never vote because that is just wrong. Too many issues going on.

[karlrschneider]

123. Well, we all have our priorities I guess.

:P

[michreject]

142. Mine too.....nt

[uppityperson]

152. yup, give it all away because of 1 issue.

I guess some of us get what we deserve.

[michreject]

162. Unlike some here

I have no intention of dying on my knees begging and crying.

[uppityperson]

168. Unlike some here, I have no intention of dying on my knees choking

for clean air, or having my granddaughter die from an illegal abortion, or my son get drafted. Lots of important issues.

[hogwyld]

126. Same thing as voting rethug in a way. n/t

[Ghost in the Machine]

143. Once again you show that you don't know what you're talking about..

Dennis Kucinich favors a HANDgun ban, *not* ALL guns. In todays event at the mall, his ban would not have hampered the guy since he used a RIFLE.

Please educate yourself a little a more so you don't sound so ignorant when you post...

thanks...

[uppityperson]

151. Which is worse, I wonder...

to sound ignorant or nasty?

[Ghost in the Machine]

155. how about "uppity"? Is *that* an option?

Do you think it's nasty to call someone on their deliberate spreading of falsehoods?

See, I was even nice and didn't call them "lies"....

:hi:

[slackmaster]

16. I feel quite safe in my home that has more than 50 of them

And in my low-crime neighborhood where most households have firearms, and homeowners who are prepared to use them defensively.

[izzie]

166. Low crime? Lots of guns in every home? I wonder if it goes together?

My guess it is just a low crime place. If the crooks knew you had all the guns they would steal them. I am also willing to bet that half the gun owners would not wish to shoot any one or have a gun at hand when needed. You can see I am not a gun person at all. Most guns I hear are from next door where the Church group of about 5 families are getting ready for something like world war 3 from the guns that you hear almost on a daily thing. Where do they get the money to waste? All that stuff must cost a lot. 300 million pop and I bet 600 million guns to feed this love. I am sure we will be killing each other as a general thing for more years than I will live. I see no way to stop it.

[Kingshakabobo]

18. If only the mall Santa was packin' heat.........

[Missy Vixen]

157. I'm sure the mall Santa is happy with his penis size

Therefore, he doesn't feel the need to pack heat.

Just sayin'.
Julie

[goodgd_yall]

19. My mom, a right wing Republican thinks gun ownership is out of control

She's originally from New York--Queens. She and my father, from L.I., NY never owned a gun and never "got" the gun culture.

[Lil Missy]

13. I've been watching it for a couple hours. I drive by there all the time. Very tragic.

[BeHereNow]

17. Any bets that the shooter may be an Iraq vet with untreated PTSD?

It's a legitimate possibility given the numerous reports
about the neglect of the troops.

BHN

[originalpckelly]

20. He sounds like one of those faux-militia types...

Reportedly, the shooter was wearing fatigues and carried some type of rifle, possibly semi-automatic, though that was not reported. However, the shot count around 35-45 seems too high for a traditional rifle.

[NickB79]

22. A former soldier was shot and killed this past summer in Minnesota

He was involved in a high-speed pursuit with police, pulled out a shotgun when they stopped him, and was shot and killed by the police.

http://www.startribune.com/local/11587521.html

[nonconformist]

75. Sounds like a suicide by cop situation

Very tragic, but sadly preferable to taking out a bunch of innocents and THEN committing suicide.

[Bozita]

132. Bush had better be praying for you to be wrong.

[Hoof Hearted]

23. My mom is in Omaha right now with a senior group and I know that shopping was on the agenda

but I don't know what time they were going. I can't get a hold of her on her cell.

I need your thoughts and prayers.

[originalpckelly]

25. Oh my goodness, let's hope you get word from her!

:hug:

[Hoof Hearted]

28. I keep calling but no answer. Omaha World Herald is reporting at least five dead now.

God please, let this be one of the many times she just forgot to turn the damn phone on.

[originalpckelly]

29. The one death that's been widely reported was a man.

I don't know if that helps, but there it is.

[Rainbowreflect]

32. Two deaths confirmed. One in critical condition & other minor injuries.

[michreject]

27. Keep us posted...nt

[originalpckelly]

30. Definitely will do. Police press conference is due up soon...

We'll see what they say.

[Hoof Hearted]

31. MSM is a little behind local media. 5 dead and at least 12 wounded

This is just devestating. MOM - ANSWER THE PHONE.

:cry:

[Rainbowreflect]

39. I am praying for your mom, as well as every one in the mall.

I am in Lincoln, use to live in Omaha.

[Hoof Hearted]

46. This is completely surreal. n/t.

[Rainbowreflect]

56. Keep positive thoughts & please let us know as soon as you

talk to her. I am sure she is just fine.

[Rainbowreflect]

79. How close are you to Omaha?

They are stating that people wanting to check on family to go to the Hamilton Inn for information.

[Hoof Hearted]

105. I was able to raise her coordinator, Mom's fine. They left the mall before lunch.

I still feel like throwing up though. That's TOO damn close. This is insane.

[hogwyld]

110. I'm so happy for you and your Mom

I'm glad that she's safe.

[Rainbowreflect]

116. I am so happy for you.

I cannot imagine what you have been going through.

[Crabby Appleton]

129. glad to hear your mom's OK. nt

[eleny]

146. I'm glad to learn that she was spared the trauma of being there later

[renate]

45. While you wait, imagine talking to her on her phone this evening

It's a much better mental picture than what's going through your mind right now.

When the Minneapolis bridge collapsed I couldn't get hold of my sister for about 45 minutes, and even though the odds of her being on the bridge at that moment were minuscule--just like the odds of anything happening to your mom, of all the people in that huge mall (and she might not have even been there at the time, remember)--it's horrible to keep dialing and dialing without an answer. Terrible things go through your head. But imagine the relief you'll feel when you do get hold of her, which is astronomically more likely to come true than any of your worries.

:hug:

[rucky]

74. Call the police station.

Ask to speak to the public information officer or watch commander - ASAP.

[Wcross]

76. Good vibes for your Moms safety, I can't imagine the feeling.

I can't imagine the feelings you are having now. Please keep us updated!

[Buns_of_Fire]

36. You have them.....

When I spent a winter in Omaha, Westroads was where I'd take people who were were in a mood for some serious shopping. (Living just down the street (just south of Aksarben), it was an easy-enough place to visit.)

Best wishes to your mom, and, with any luck, Westroads wasn't on today's itinerary.

[eleny]

86. I forget to turn mine on so often

:grouphug:

[hogwyld]

89. Strong prayers coming your way

But I sometimes forget to turn mine on, or if I'm in certain buildings, get no signal unless I'm by a window.

[malaise]

48. Nine people killed

according to cop at Press conference on MSNBC.
WTF -NRA what do you say?

[AlCzervik]

50. i just heard that, 9? OMG.

[Rainbowreflect]

51. Police state nine dead including the shooter.

[BeHereNow]

64. I am interested to know WHO the shooter was- if an Iraq vet...well maybe

America will wake up to the way our vets are treated.

If simply a mentally ill individual, perhaps Americans
will consider the cost to a society that refuses to
provide affordable health care for all.

BHN

[malaise]

67. Just heard that Bush was in Nebraska today

Someone was really pissed. This is madness

[BeHereNow]

73. Then you agree with me about the possibility of the shooter being a vet, or perhaps a relative?

I'm sure they will cover it up if so.

BHN

[malaise]

103. Possibly because

I heard he's only 19.

[BeHereNow]

125. Aw, Fuck!

Vet or young person on psych meds
with out sufficient monitoring.
Both factors will be covered up if either apply.

Pharma cartel are probably arranging the
silencing settlement now.

BHN

[malaise]

84. Nine plus the shooter

and we also know that there's one person critical in hospital

[Sultana]

54. So sad

:(

[aquart]

65. Is this someone else who couldn't get mental health care?

[Lil Missy]

70. LOCAL NEWS UPDATE: NINE CONFIRMED DEAD, INCLUDING GUNMAN

[book_worm]

72. Why don't these people just kill themselves and leave others alone?

[BeHereNow]

78. Because they are mentally ill? Clearly?

I'm willing to bet the shooter was either a vet with untreated PTSD
or an individual who needed help and had no medical insurance.
Either way, I blame our corporate owned government.

They could give a crap about the people in this country or
the victims of people like this shooter.

BHN

[Wcross]

80. That would be the ideal solution.

I don't understand the need to harm others while you kill yourself.

[Ilsa]

82. Witness says he was shooting randomly, shot a teddy bear.

She couldn't describe him, said he was white, and he was acting "crazy".

[eleny]

83. 19 yr old white male according to MSNBC

[The Stranger]

109. So I guess he can't be a terrorist.

[Hoof Hearted]

92. My mom is OK. They left the mall before lunch.

I still haven't talked to her, but I did get ahold of the coordinator.

Thanks for everybody's kind words and prayers, it means a lot.

[TwilightGardener]

94. Good news!

[globalvillage]

95. Thank goodness.

So glad to hear it. Still checking on my friends. So far, all OK.

[originalpckelly]

100. So she was there today?

Oooooh that's scary. I can safely say we're all glad she wasn't there!

[malaise]

101. Great news n/t

[uppityperson]

102. Good, am very glad for you and her. Best wishes in a scary time. nt

[renate]

108. what a relief!

:hug:

It's awful to think of the other families who are going to get the phone call you were fearing.... :cry: My heartfelt prayers are going out to all of them.

Your posts have really brought home how tragic and heartbreaking and real something like this is.

[Hoof Hearted]

115. Too damn real. Too damn close. I want to dance, I want to cry, I want to throw up.

I'm so happy - and so sad.

Damn, I am going to have some bad, bad, dreams tonight.

[hogwyld]

112. Fantastic!! I'll be sure to pass my prayers onto the others

[Wcross]

122. That's good news Hoof, you must be so relieved! n/t

[Liberal In Texas]

124. My elderly mom lives in Omaha too. I didn't think she'd be shopping since the weather

hasn't been great. Called her, and that was the case. She's going to call some of my friends a make sure they hadn't gone to the W'Roads today...

[benEzra]

130. Thank goodness. (n/t)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

158. I'm very glad to hear that...

I'm sure you must feel very relieved!

[frogmarch]

114. My granddaughter works at the Omaha Westroads Mall

parttime, in between college classes, and was there when the shootings happened but wasn't a victim.

I feel so sorry for the victims and their friends and families.

[Rainbowreflect]

119. Your poor granddaughter. I am glad she is okay.

[Hoof Hearted]

120. I'm sorry your granddaughter had to go through that, I think anyone there had to be

traumatized and I hope she has somebody to talk through all this with.

Our biggest hugs. :hug:

[AlinPA]

137. He was probably thinking that he was defending himself. It's the American way.

[Liberal In Texas]

139. WOWT (ch6) reporting that the gunman was 19 yrs. old, HS dropout, and had just lost his job.

Apparently had some trouble at home and was living with friends.

Sounds like someone who needed mental health care.
8 other people are now dead.

[AmanAplan]

145. ebay adverts for Omaha stuff at the end of this thread? WTF?

Does ebay take headlines and make dynamic ads on the fly? That is pretty sick.

[Liberal In Texas]

150. I have the ads turned off (you can as a donor) so don't see them. But from

what I understand they are generated by a computer that takes key words like "Omaha" and generates related material.

[Ganja Ninja]

167. If only he had been wearing an anti-war t-shirt mall security ...

could have caught him and prevented this.