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We just had a disturbing incident here in South Texas last night. A twenty-three year old, should I say boy? walked into his local Burger King with a shotgun and a bottle of fluid with wires coming out. He chased all the customers out and held four employees hostage. First let me say it ended peacefully with no one physically hurt.
But what disturbed me was his demands. He wanted cigarettes, a laptop computer, $10,000 compensation to be given to each of the four hostages for being held at gunpoint, money for his grandmother who is on social security, money for his mother who is ill, and his last demand, respect. He traded the first hostage for cigarettes. He released the second because her mother was waiting for her outside. He released the third man when the man showed hima picture of his one month old daughter. His last hostage was a friend of his and they laughed and told jokes to each other. Then, one by one, he started emptying the shotgun of rounds and handing them to his buddy. Once the gun was empty, his buddy said it was time to leave, and they walked out together. Happy ending.
But I spent all day today wondering how this young man got into the state of mind that would cause him to do this. It bothered me so much that I almost got mad at my co-workers when they made jokes about it. I couldn't help wondering what would have happened if there had been someone for this boy to talk to say a month ago, or even a week ago.
I also wonder about his father, a former sheriff of the town where this took place. I did not hear any other thing said about his father than that, so obviously he was not around in the area when this took place. I wonder if he was around at all.
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest, it has been bugging me all day.
Hugs, Charlie
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