Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

The Straight Story

(48,121 posts) Mon Dec 24, 2012, 03:54 PM Dec 2012

NY gunman who ambushed firefighters had served time for manslaughter in his grandmother's death [View all]

WEBSTER, N.Y. (AP) — Police in New York state say a man who ambushed firefighters had served 17 years for manslaughter in the death of his grandmother.

Webster Police Chief Gerald Pickering says 62-year-old William Spengler was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.

Police say he set fire to a car and house to lure firefighters to his house on the shore of Lake Ontario early Monday.

When firefighters arrived, he opened fire, probably with a rifle. Two firefighters died at the scene and two others were hospitalized. A fifth first responder was injured.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/firefighter-shot-scene-blaze-western-ny

28 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

NY gunman who ambushed firefighters had served time for manslaughter in his grandmother's death [View all] The Straight Story Dec 2012 OP

So how did he get that riffle? nadinbrzezinski Dec 2012 #1

By breaking the law (nt) Recursion Dec 2012 #4

What's a riffle? n/t zappaman Dec 2012 #15

It's a place in a stream where skillful use of MineralMan Dec 2012 #19

Riffles can be had for about $6.50 a foot Brother Buzz Dec 2012 #16

That seems like a cheap riffle! zappaman Dec 2012 #26

No waiting, but the selection has narrowed; no cutthroat trout Brother Buzz Dec 2012 #28

A "law abiding" Gun CULTurist ultimately supplied his weapon jpak Dec 2012 #2

Or he stole it, like the last two shooters (nt) Recursion Dec 2012 #6

So, how'd he get that rifle? Drunken Irishman Dec 2012 #3

Illegally (nt) Recursion Dec 2012 #5

wow, that's way too easy to do. can we track down who he got it from and punish them? bettyellen Dec 2012 #7

Possibly, depending on its provenance Recursion Dec 2012 #8

How could a felon purchase a firearm janx Dec 2012 #9

The ORIGINAL retail sale was certainly not the transaction that put the weapon in the hands... slackmaster Dec 2012 #10

Ah, I misread. Thanks for the correction. n/t janx Dec 2012 #11

I know a felon with a huge collection of guns. Whovian Dec 2012 #14

If you know this is true then this man is breaking the law...... Logical Dec 2012 #18

I don't believe so in AL Whovian Dec 2012 #27

Well, either he wasn't a felon yet when he bought it 17+ years ago Recursion Dec 2012 #12

With so many guns on the street TheCowsCameHome Dec 2012 #24

A local media report says that three lived in the home... Earth_First Dec 2012 #13

WTH.. Cha Dec 2012 #17

So any degree of murder should be life in prison with no parole? 2nd? 3rd? Involuntary manslaughter? Logical Dec 2012 #20

This guy beat grandma to death with a hammer. LisaL Dec 2012 #21

Thank you for stating the obvious. Cha Dec 2012 #22

OK, so what was he convicted of? Details please. Logical Dec 2012 #23

If it was a hammer why did the NRA fight so hard to protect him? realgreen Dec 2012 #25