March 24, 2008
Good Morning
Just got a university alert call about an "active shooter" in the area...but can't find any other information yet.
The alert described a white male in his 40s and gave a license plate number, so it doesn't sound like it was actually on campus.
I'm annoyed the U's homepage doesn't have any information at all yet.
UPDATE 8:30--Still nothing on the U's homepage. Just send a message to the entire student body about a shooter and then give no more information...nice.
Nothing on the local news, either. One channel just reported about the alert, but had no additional info. WTF?
UPDATE 8:35--just got the emailed alert, but still no more info. On campus? Off campus? Go to class? Stay inside for now? Needless to say, I'm not venturing out for an "active" shooter, but does a 19 y.o. kid with an exam at 8:30 or 9:30 feel as comfortable making that decision?
UPDATE 8:40--another alert call, saying there is no specific threat to any U bldg or persons.
And the 8:45 email: There is no specific threat to any University Building or employee. Do not call police departments unless you have specfic information. Updates will follow.
UPDATE 8:48--the local news finally got some info...the guy shot multiple people in a home off-campus, then fled. Also, the U finally updated its homepage, saying there is no reason to believe the guy will target the U: Classes and University activities are proceeding as scheduled.
Apparently the public schools are on lockdown while they look for the shooter.
UPDATE 9:28--I couldn't figure out why the alleged shooter's name sounded familiar. Turns out he's been in the news lately:
On Feb. 12, according to a Register report, Steven Francis Sueppel was indicted on charges of embezzling and laundering almost $560,000 from Hills Bank & Trust, where he was vice president and controller, over a seven-year period.
UPDATE 10:05--Looks like he (allegedly) killed his wife and four kids and possibly himself. Wife and kids at home, self by crashing his vehicle.
I want to believe there is a Hell at times like these.
Posted by Jenelle at March 24, 2008 08:14 AM | TrackBackInteresting. This genius traded in a few years at some white-collar prison, for life (death sentance maybe? assuming multiple homicide) at a pound-me-in-the-ass federal joint.
Posted by: shank at March 24, 2008 08:51 AMActually, it looks like he may have killed himself. A minivan crashed into a bridge on the interstate and burst into flames nearby about 8:30 am.
Had a wife and 4 kids, and he couldn't just kill his own damned self.
Allegedly.
Posted by: Jenelle at March 24, 2008 08:59 AMYes, I thought about you that day. But when I heard about it, it was on Fox, and nothing had ended up happening at the U. I was so happy to hear that part of it.
I wish people who were going to do this kind of crap would skip to the end and off themselves first.
Posted by: sarahk at April 2, 2008 12:19 PM