Two Missionaries Shot in Virginia

[NNN0LHI]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BRF_MISSIONARIES_SHOT?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (AP) -- A Mormon missionary going door-to-door was fatally shot Monday night and a fellow missionary was wounded by an assailant who fled, police said.

The attacks happened just after 6 p.m. when a man approached the 21- and 19-year-olds, shot them and ran away, police said.

Both victims were taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where the older victim died and the other was listed in serious condition Monday night.

[bryant69]

1. I heard a bit about this on NPR - wasn't sure they were Mormon

That's not good.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[TallahasseeGrannie]

2. That is very, very sad

the Mormons are annoying, but usually just gentle young men doing what they think they are supposed to do.

[noonwitch]

11. They've always been such nice young men when they've come to my door

It's not my faith, but I respect their right to practice theirs. Plus, they really are nice people. I can't imagine someone wanting to shoot them.

The mormons have a big church in Detroit, an old Greek Orthodox church just south of Palmer Park. They ride around on bicycles for their mission work, and I respect the willingness to not depend on cars and gasoline to get the job done.

[recoveringrepublican]

16. I agree, I have a hard time telling them to leave, they are so nice

Mine drive a car though. Though they do park it on the side and walk our very large neighborhood.

[Straight Shooter]

3. Damn.

That's just not right. I hope they capture and prosecute the killer to the fullest extent of the law.

[kestrel91316]

4. I'm not particularly fond of Mormons and their missionaries myself,

but this is just plain WRONG.

Go ahead and slam the door in their faces, but don't shoot them. Sheesh.

[rfranklin]

5. Perhaps the shooter felt threatened...

New laws permit shooting people who you don't like.

[Warpy]

14. My guess is that this was a mugging

I can't imagine anyone being incensed enough to shoot those guys. Slam the door, they go away. Slam it effectively enough, they stay away. I haven't been annoyed by missionaries for over 7 years now, and I'm in Mormon country where they're as thick as flies.

[Squatch]

6. I live in Chesapeake and this happened about 3 miles from my house...

It's usually a pretty quiet town.

The area where this occured borders on the rundown areas of Portsmouth and South Norfolk. It's not a place I frequent, but I know that the area is very financially depressed.

[liberalitch]

12. I live in norfolk..... the area you speak of is VERY poor....

They were probably attacked by people who think that (unlike the jahova's witnesses) they collect donations.

[TriMetFan]

7. This is just plain old sick!

But if Americans see that people like Bush and thugs can get away with killing and stealing then it is o.k. for Americans to do.

[Walt Starr]

8. Just to remind everybody, Mormon Missionaries are generally 18 years old

Mormons go on their mission generally immediately after graduating high school.

[librechik]

9. the kids are forced to do this in fundie evangelical churches

(go door to door) whether they want to or not.

very sad.

[Benhurst]

10. Most of the Mormon missionaries are just kids, pressured into

their mission by their communities and peers.

How sad!

[TallahasseeGrannie]

19. I have always admired the Mormons for their

social programs, say what you will about their theology. And I can't think of a better preparation for anything in life than to spend a year knocking on people's doors trying to sell them stuff they have absolutely no interest in. How painful. But useful.

Good people. Odd people. Very American.

[oasis]

13. Question: Will Utah voters examine Orin Hatch's record on gun control?

Answer: no

[HereSince1628]

15. Guns & bullets don't kill. Tissue damage and organ trauma kill.

Somehow that doesn't make me feel better.

[Critters2]

17. This is sad

It may have just been a mugging, but I'll be interested in hearing for sure. Around here (north central Illinois) Evangelicals HATE the Mormons!! the local Mormon bishop is a kind, soft-spoken man. I don't agree with his theology (I find it laughable, in fact), but he has the right to his faith. The fundies, though, keep trying to come up with ways to keep him out of the local ministerial association. The problem is that everytime they come up with a rule, it would apply to one of their ilk. Like they wanted to make a rule that you had to be a paid professional, but one of the small Baptist churches has a volunteer lay pastor. Then they said you had to be clearly Trinitarian, but one of the Pentecostal guys that they all like belongs to a "Jesus Only" Pentecostal Church, thus not Trinitarian. So they just do rude things like not sending the Mormon reminders of meetings, etc. He shows up any way. And then they behave rudely toward him--in that nice, Christian way. They're not all that nice to me--but this poor Mormon soul they absolutely hate!!

[mark11727]

18. WWJS

Who Would Jesus Snub...?