Beyond Rehabilitation

This crime was all over national news at the time it happened, and whenever the shooter was in court. What got little “airtime” was his father’s role in the crime.

Parades are the cornerstone of American celebrations and one of the biggest is for Independence Day, July 4^th.

Families were parked along the parade route enjoying a festive event with balloons, ice cream and everything that defines American tradition. Participants made their way down the parade route. Perched high atop a building a young man dressed like a woman prepared to do the unthinkable. He’d planned the attack for weeks and on that day, he waited for the right moment to fire over 80 shots from a high-powered rifle.

Thanks to an excellent investigation and the swift dissemination of a person of interest’s information and vehicle, a civilian reported seeing the driver and vehicle close to where the tragic event occurred.

Gun laws vary from state-to-state, a topic of much controversy. In the state where this shooting occurred, two years before the deadly assault, the gunman was a minor and the only legal way for him to be issued a firearm owner’s identification card (required to purchase a gun) was if a parent sponsored him—which his father did. At the time of the shooting, the shooter was 21. He no longer needed a sponsor.

Did his father’s sponsorship when his son was 19 play a role in his desire to shoot innocent parade attendees at 21? We’ll never know. The authorities arrested the father. He later pleaded guilty to seven counts of reckless conduct—one for each person his son had killed. The judge sentenced him to 60 days in jail and 100 hours of community service.

The shooter rejected a couple of plea agreements and then, after they had selected a jury, he pleaded guilty to 21 counts of first-degree murder (three for each victim) and dozens of attempted murder charges (for all who were injured). The judge sentenced him to seven consecutive life sentences and 50 years for each person injured.

At the sentencing, the judge said,

“[The defendant] showed a complete disregard for human life and is beyond rehabilitation.”

Source: ABC News, USA Today, New York Post

All data and information provided is for information and research purposes only and not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. Criminal cases may have been appealed or verdicts overturned since I researched the case. All information is provided on an as-is basis.