Gunman Kills Democratic Party Chairman In Arkansas
From The New York Times…
Bill Gwatney, the chairman of the Arkansas Democratic Party, was shot in his office in Little Rock Wednesday morning and died a few hours later, police officials said.
From The Associated Press…
Witnesses said the gunman entered the party offices shortly before noon and said he wanted to see Gwatney about volunteering. Party officials said the man forced his way into Gwatney’s office and fired three shots, then fled in a blue truck.
“He said he was interested in volunteering, but that was obviously a lie,” said 17-year-old party volunteer Sam Higginbotham. He said the man then pushed past employees to reach the chairman’s office, where he fired three times.
Gwatney, a former state senator and a Hillary Rodham Clinton superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention this month in Denver, had served 10 years as a state senator.
Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, issued a statement calling the 49-year-old Gwatney “not only a strong chairman of Arkansas’ Democratic Party, but he is also a cherished friend and confidante.”
After the midday shooting, the suspect was chased into Grant County, south of the capital, and apprehended after being shot. Police fired at the man but it wasn’t known whether he also suffered self-inflicted injuries.
Statement by Barack Obama on the passing of Bill Gwatney…
“Michelle and I are heartbroken to hear about the tragic loss of Chairman Bill Gwatney. We’re praying for his family and friends and all who worked with him and loved him.”
