Bill Gwatney, Arkansas Democratic Party Chairman Killed; Should We Live in Fear?

Arkansas Democratic National Chairman Bill Gwatney was killed after a noon-time shooting at the Democratic Party headquarters in Little Rock on Wednesday, according to a statement from Sen. Hillary Clinton's press office.

Bill Gwatney may have been shot three times, a nearby business owner told Fox News. CNN reported later that the unnamed suspect of the Arkansas Democratic Headquarters' shooting was later killed following a car chase that reportedly lasted about 25 miles.

The white male walked into the unsecured office specifically asking to see Bill Gwatney and was denied.

The suspect either open fired or aimed his shots purposefully toward Gwatney when the Democratic chairman appeared.

What can be learned from the Bill Gwatney shooting?

When a shooting occurs, public sympathy usually envelopes the victims and their families, as it should. Undoubtedly, Arkansas residents will offer their support for Bill Gwatney.

Unfortunately, for the victims, speculation replaces sympathy too quickly when a violent crime occurs in a political arena. Some of this speculation is healthy and involves practical concerns, such as the issue of security.

Given that the location where Bill Gwatney was shot was unsecured, it is not selfish for political workers, namely volunteers, to re-evaluate their working environment. There is little stopping a person with a true intent to kill and, yet, paralyzing fear is unproductive. However, increased awareness and security planning can save lives, whether one works in a political office, a bank or a convenience store.

Another knee jerk response to the Arkansas Democratic campaign headquarters shooting is the location and its meaning. Without the shooter's statement, it is easy to fill in the blanks - often with misinformation. After all, this is Clinton country. Is Bill Gwatney's shooter a Clinton supporter or is he against the Democratic Party in general? Is the shooting even related to Obama? We can be grateful that the tragedy is not further compounded by an apparent racial motive, but also remain cognizant that the motive is not what matters most -- it can't be justified.

As an Arkansas resident close to the Bill Gwatney shooting and Democratic campaign offices, and admittedly unsettled about the crime, I think regardless of political affiliation, citizens want to know if more violence like this will occur and how we should respond. Tragedies demand answers that are not always answerable but sensible evaluations may prove helpful. Otherwise, I gain comfort in that this is America and, though we have our loons and aggressors, typically we don't try to solve our political arguments with violence.

Prayers go out to Bill Gwatney and his family.

Source:
http://www2.arkansasonline.com/news/2008/aug/13/police-chasing-after-shooting-democratic-party-hea/
Fox News