Comments on: Shots Fired in Robbery in Town

By: Foot Patrol Update | LeesburgTalk

Foot Patrol Update | LeesburgTalk — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:42:34 +0000

[...] this system with a message saying “stay inside, gunman on the loose”. I managed to get a blog post on the air from my iPhone while running down Edwards Ferry Rd. 60 secs after the guy fired a shot [...]

By: astralv

astralv — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 04:27:47 +0000

Hi Chuck,
Just checking the situation before going to bed. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/10/AR2009071003227.html
has the most “complete” report that I’ve been able to find.
I have to agree completely about the use (lack of) of the alert call and the email system. The girls and I in the office were getting more information from people at home with scanners than we were getting from the authorities. I happen to have my 5 year old at work with me Friday and she was scared by all the activity. We had no idea which way this guy was heading, how many suspects were involved, etc. And the first call didn’t dome until hours after the initial incident. The email came at 2:14 PM. The only timely email sent was at 10:18 PM – about 30 minutes after Mr. Belote was released and Mr. Spencer in custody.
The last bit of information, I wouldn’t mind receiving 3 hours after the fact. But when we have a crazy person running thru the street with a gun, don’t call me 2.5 hours later to tell me to be on the look out!
Thank goodness for LeesburgTalk.com or we would have been completely in the dark except for the scanners. But most of the info on the scanners was apparently false!!! We beleived there were 6 suspects, a hostage at the county building, a cop shot and med-evac’d to the hospital.
Ok so, I’m ranting because I’m exhausted. Final thoughts… alert system sux, LeesburgTalk.com ROCKS! Oh and BTW have they nailed down who is using the BB&T as their personal piggy bank???
sorry if i miss spelled. I can’t even go back to read it. My eyes are crossing. Good night

By: erod0924

erod0924 — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:54:48 +0000

Does anyone Know of a website or channel where i can get live up to date information on what is happening? i hear the choppers and police all over but can find nothing on TV or online.

By: Chuck Shotton

Chuck Shotton — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:41:32 +0000

Well, no one is right or wrong. I just wanted to point out that one of the gentlemen in the story above was, in fact, armed and was escorting the crook down his neighbor’s driveway (weapon holstered) when the guy turned and ran, then turning to fire as he headed south. In all absolute honesty, had I been in his position, I think it would have been very difficult to demonstrate the same restraint.

By: Bill St. Clair

Bill St. Clair — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:26:06 +0000

OK. I stand (er, sit) corrected. Good luck to you, sir.

By: Chuck Shotton

Chuck Shotton — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:13:10 +0000

Well, armed citizens were within arm’s reach of the guy today on multiple occasions. With other pedestrians around, near houses with kids playing inside and out, and street traffic around, I have to give a LOT of credit to the guys I was near for their restraint in not firing at the crook. It really wouldn’t have helped resolve the problem. So far, no one has been hurt. One instance of poor judgement this morning could have resulted in multiple injuries or deaths. That it didn’t happen was due solely to the discretion and discipline of the citizens nearby and had nothing to do with the fact that they were (or weren’t) armed.

I lived in the concealed carry center of the universe in Texas for 11 years and it’s just not always the answer. In this case, armed citizens could have prevented something horrible if it had gone that way. However, I think their restraint actually prevented a tragedy at the expense of a slightly longer police action.

By: Bill St. Clair

Bill St. Clair — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:01:24 +0000

You’re acting as if more police presence is the only possibly response. It isn’t. It’s not even the best response. Crazy people like this guy don’t care how many police are around. They will care, however, when a citizen shoots back.

Open carry is legal in Virginia ( it’s a “gold star” open carry state: http://opencarry.com/va.html ), as is concealed carry with a permit. Get thee to a gun store, training, and regular trips to the range to practice. Carry always and everywhere. Protect yourself.

By: Pete Garvey

Pete Garvey — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:25:56 +0000

Chuck,

Just went back to Safeway. There is a police/sherrif spokesperson who is giving interviews to the press.

I did speak with some people who were evacuated out of their homes on Davis. One family explained that the Police knocked on their door and got them out safely. However, their neighbors are being held hostage by the gunman. They think there might be as many as 3 hostages. An elderly couple (perhaps in there 80s) and a teen age grandson.

Also, people told me that they got automated telephone calls from the police telling them to lock their doors etc. I never got one. Did anyone else?

By: Chuck Shotton

Chuck Shotton — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:07:54 +0000

Those of us who saw this guy up close this morning (holy crap! he pulled his gun on Ralph and he *shot* at Prescott) could tell he was a desperate sort and he clearly had no reluctance to use his gun. It wasn’t clear whether or not the guy was on drugs — he fell down on the street a couple of times while fleeing. I really hope he realizes his only option is to give up peacefully.

By: sue

sue — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:04:10 +0000

An officer was on a phone interview on Ch. 4 news and said the gunman is still in the house in the 700 block of Davis Avenue and they are in negotiations….he does have hostages but they believe them to be unharmed.