Gunman shoots, kills Arkansas Democratic party chairman
Update at bottom: Suspect gunned down by police identified
A gunman entered the Arkansas Democratic Party headquarters Wednesday and shot the party chairman, who was hospitalized in critical condition but later died, according to reports.
The gunman asked to speak to the party chairman, Bill Gwatney, and fired three shots at the office near the state Capitol.
"He came in and went into this office and started shooting," police Lt. Terry Hastings told reporters near the party headquarters.
Gwatney, a former legislator, at first survived the shooting, Hastings said. Party officials confirmed the victim was Gwatney.
CNN and AFP have reported that Gwatney has died. A statement released by Bill and Hillary Clinton expressed their regrets at Gwatney's passing.
The unnamed suspect was chased into Grant County, south of Little Rock, and apprehended after being shot, the police spokesman said.
Sarah Lee, a sales clerk at a flower shop across street from the party headquarters, said that around noon Gwatney's secretary ran into the shop and asked someone to call 911.
Lee said the secretary told her the man had come into the party's office and asked to speak with Gwatney. When the secretary said she wouldn't allow him to meet with Gwatney, the man went into his office and shot him, Lee said.
She said the secretary described the man as in his 40s and white and drove off in a blue truck.
FBI spokesman Steve Frazier said his agency was assisting in the investigation but could not offer any details. "We're aware of it. We're helping the state police right now," Frazier said.
Party director Bruce Sinclair and House Majority Leader Steve Harelson, a Democrat, identified Gwatney as the victim.
Gov. Mike Beebe, a Democrat who served with Gwatney in the Legislature, had been on a flight to Springdale in northwestern Arkansas but returned to the Capitol after hearing about the shooting, Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample said.
Karen Ray, executive director of the Republican Party of Arkansas, sent her workers home early "out of an abundance of caution."
"Our hearts go out to everyone at the Democratic headquarters. What a tragedy," Ray said. "This is just a very upsetting, troubling and scary thing for our staff as well."
Gwatney, who owned and operated three car dealerships in Pulaski County, served 10 years in the state Senate. Gwatney was Beebe's finance chairman during Beebe's run for governor in 2006.
Police say suspect dies after chase
Police say a man suspected of bursting into the Arkansas Democratic Party headquarters and shooting the party chairman has died.
Police say the suspect burst into the office of Party Chairman Bill Gwatney and fired three shots. Gwatney is hospitalized in critical condition.
Police Lt. Terry Hastings says authorities chased the suspect into Grant County, south of Little Rock, and that he was fatally wounded during a 30-mile chase.
Top Dems react
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, presidential nominee Barack Obama, and Bill and Hillary Clinton all expressed shock at Wednesday's shooting and offered their support to Gwatney.
The Clinton's released this statement:
“We are stunned and shaken by today’s shooting at the Arkansas Democratic Party where our good friend and fellow Democrat Bill Gwatney was critically wounded. Bill is not only a strong chairman of Arkansas’ Democratic Party, but he is also a cherished friend and confidante. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill and his family today and we wish him a quick recovery."
Dean's statement read:
"This senseless tragedy comes as a shock to all of us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Chairman Gwatney and his family and we pray for his full and speedy recovery. While the investigation of this shooting continues, and our primary concern remains with Bill and his family, we commend the courageous and speedy action of law enforcement officials in apprehending the suspect."
Obama released the following:
“I was shocked and saddened to hear about the tragedy in Arkansas. We’re all grateful for the quick action of law enforcement and quick thinking by Chairman Gwatney’s staff, and Michelle and I are keeping him and his family in our prayers.”
UPDATE 2100 EDT: The Associated Press has reported the shooting suspect as 50-year-old Timothy Dale Johnson of Searcy, Arkansas. No motive is known, but it is reported that moments after he fired shots at Gwatney, he told the building manager at the nearby Arkansas Baptist headquarters, "I lost my job."
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