Iraq War veteran opens fire on Indy police

[sabra]

Source: AP

Associated Press

LYNN, Ind. — An ex-Marine who served in Iraq has been charged with three counts of attempted murder of a police officer after firing on police.

Authorities say 26-year-old Andrew Ward of rural Lynn fired four shotgun blasts at three officers Friday night at a rural farm house. No officers were hurt.

After that weapon and another malfunctioned, officers used a stun gun to subdue Ward. He was being held without bond Sunday. He also faces preliminary charges of criminal recklessness, battery and intimidation.

Relatives say Ward was discharged from the Marines last month and is seeking disability veterans benefits for anxiety and post-traumatic-stress disorder. An older brother who also served in Iraq killed himself in 2003.

Read more: http://www.policeone.com/news/1953756-Iraq-War-veteran-opens-fire-on-Indy-police/

[Jokerman]

1. "Lynn is about 65 miles east of Indianapolis"

Yes, that is the headline but what were Indy police doing that far from their jurisdiction?

Article from Indy Star only mentions Randolph County officers involved:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20091012/NEWS02/910120352/-1/NEWS/Iraq+vet+held+after+shooting+at+police

[Arctic Dave]

2. I am absolutely shocked they did not kill him.

[shadowknows69]

8. Yeah, kudos to these officers who were able to apprehend this guy.

In a world where we have cops tasering people in wheelchairs these heroes managed to bring a guy in where it would have been a perfectly "righteous kill" if they had simply perforated him.

[Selatius]

27. The guy was trying to pull a "suicide by cop." Other war veterans have died this way.

This was probably the most well-known case of a war veteran purposely trying to gun down police officers:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/01/11/marine.shooting/index.html

He died in the firefight in the end after killing an officer and wounding another.

[Wizard777]

3. He went to Iraq to defend our Constitution and the rights the police continuously erode.

Who defends our right rights from Cops that want to do away with Miranda because it's too hard to remember. Never mind that every 4 year old playing cop in the backyard has it down pat. :eyes:

[shadowknows69]

9. What the Hell does that have to do with this story?

These officers are heroes. I think this poor Marine was probably looking for suicide by cop and these guys took a non-lethal route. Now maybe someone will grant him the disability he needs so he can get the help he needs.

[Wizard777]

31. Just an observation. The police do more to undermine our rights than Al Qaida ever could.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

4. This is going to be an epidemic with vets from the Iraq & Afghanistan wars I'm afraid.

This is a similar local story from earlier this year. A local vet with PTSD shot and killed three people, killing two of them.
http://www.wjactv.com/news/19115175/detail.html

This is website set up to help the soldier who killed the two victims.
http://www.helphorner.com/

I'm not a mental health expert, but with what we've heard from people who are, these wars are going to send home a lot of soldiers who will need a lot of help to recover.

I doubt that they will all receive help in time.

Cheney & the other criminals should end up at the Hague for all of the human lives lost and the suffering that they've caused.

[WyldRogue]

5. And the nutjobs...

...on the right will blame it on Obama with the argument that 'he brought them home'

Just wait and see....

[shadowknows69]

10. It was W keeping them there for 15 months, bringing them home for 5

And shipping them back to combat for another year and a half that fucked our troops up. I believe at least Obama has ended most of the 15 month deployments hasn't he?

[KansDem]

16. I'm worried about those recruits with criminal records who are enlisting...

...since the Army lowered its standards.

July 30, 2007
Military Lowers Standards To Fill Ranks

(CBS) The longer the war continues, the harder it's proving to fill the U.S. Army's ranks. A strong economy also means there are easier jobs around.

So the Army is accepting a growing number of new recruits with everything from health and weight issues to lower academic test scores to criminal records.

The number of incoming soldiers with prior felony arrests or convictions has more than tripled in the past five years. This year alone, the Army accepted an estimated 8,000 recruits with rap sheets, reports CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier.

Most are guilty of misdemeanors, but around 100 in the past year had felony convictions.

--more--
CBS News

What's going to happen when these fellows, who have had specialized training with military arms, return home?

[IndianaGreen]

20. And there is no end in sight to the stupid war in Afghanistan

This shit won't end until we say ENOUGH! to the decision makers that plunge our nation into idiotic colonial wars.

[saigon68]

21. Total nonsense and stupidity to keep the cluster fuck going

Expect the Present Occupant to escalate the CLUSTER-FUCK

and help Halliburton gain enormous profits.

[IndianaGreen]

22. Obama is following the same war path as Lyndon Baines Johnson

and we know what happened to LBJ's liberal agenda in Congress, it died on account of Vietnam.

[saigon68]

30. Looks like it to me

He is selling out

Its "Bush Lite"

[Ozymanithrax]

6. Casualties from War do not stop when the soldiers leaves the field.

Those of us who go to war always bring some of it home with us.

Clearly, the police in Lynn recognized the man with the shotgun was in pain and not simply a criminal. They acted with commendable restraint. Apparently, not all policemen are part of an insidious Illuminati to take away our rights.

[TomCanyon]

7. Post Traumatic Stress

A lot of this kids come back from seeing the horrors of war. It is no wonder their psyche suffers in this manner. This person needs medical attention.

[shadowknows69]

11. Welcome to DU Tom!

[alfredo]

23. Yeah, PTSD is forever. Welcome to DU

[Mari333]

12. damaged kids. and I expect a lot more.

bring them all home. dont escalate. and for gods sake, quit creating fucking 'wars'. assholes.

[NOLALady]

13. Attempted suicide by cop.

[zeemike]

14. I wonder if it is a case of suicide by cop.

It is pretty hard to miss with a shotgun.

[BOG PERSON]

15. Unnatural deeds breed unnatural troubles...

[Robb]

17. UPDATE: sorta... more info anyhow.

http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20091011/NEWS01/910110343

(snip)

Ward has been seeking disability benefits from the Veterans Administration for anxiety disorder, post-traumatic-stress disorder and carpal tunnel syndrome, plus he has been experiencing marital difficulties and financial problems. He also has had alcohol issues.

His older brother, Robert "Bruiser" Ward Jr., also a Marine veteran of the Iraq War, killed himself in 2003. Ward's Ford pickup truck was rear-ended and totaled several days ago. And in the hours before Friday night's incident, Ward was troubled over baby-sitting arrangements.

"The story here is that ex-veterans from the Iraq War need help," said Ward's brother, Danny.

At 9:36 p.m. on Friday, the Randolph County Emergency 911 Center received a telephone call from Sarah Rogers, Ward's sister, who stated that Ward had invaded her home at 7651 S. Boundary Pike and threatened the baby sitter, whose hair Ward had pulled. The 18-year-old baby sitter had called Rogers, who called 911.

[Javaman]

18. The poor guy...

sounds like he wanted to cash it in. suicide by police.

What as sad legacy moron* has left us.

damaged minds, damaged bodies and damaged souls.

[IndianaGreen]

19. This tragedy will repeat itself across the country

As a society, we owe our returning veterans something more than patriotic speeches and parades. They need a helping hand!

[EFerrari]

29. Enough to break your heart.

All props to the police officers who responded to this dangerous and sad call.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

24. After reading some of the posts after mine, I feel compelled to add two items.

A lot of great posts came after the one I had earlier and pardon my language but, How the fuck did this country ever allow this to happen to so many innocent people from all of the coutries involved?

And secondly, why the *&$@ is it still going on?

All this carnage brought about while so much of America either stood idly by or actually cheered it due to complete ignorance or misplaced national hubris.

The people responsible will probably never even come close to being held accountable since it was the USA! USA! USA! USA!

OK, that's all the ranting for now.

[lebkuchen]

25. Fort Hood alone has 15 Military & Family Life Consultants

to address PTSD et al, due to dire need.

How many bases in Indiana can measure up?

[AwakeAtLast]

26. This is the 2nd incident in the Indy area in less than a month

My own husband has had his "breakdown" recently (read my journal). How I was able to keep it all together I will never know.

There has to be a way to help these guys before it gets to this point.

Thanks for posting.

[gimama]

28. ck out military families speak out ..

www.mfso.org ..I think there's an online support grp for Mil. spouses,maybe on FB?
PLEASE, KNOW YOU ARE NOT ALONE.. there are 1,000's of Family members traumatised.. NONE of us will ever be the same.. sometimes, just SURVIVING takes every thing You've got..but I PROMISE YOU, *THIS* is temporary..LIFE will get better, HEALING WILL COME. Be brave enough to share YOUR pain, to ask for help, to SEARCH for support & reSources.. OTHERS DO CARE, most just don't KNOW..once YOU open up, & ask for help/a shoulder/a Friend, YOU will find help AND You'll help others. Trust YourSelf. Take CARE of YourSELF, be gentle & compassionate with YOURSELF.
Please let me know if You need me. (((hug)))