Update on Suspect, Attorney General statement, and More on Murder of Dr. George Tiller
In the nearly 24-hours that have transpired since the tragic murder of Dr. George Tiller, the choice community - and NARAL Pro-Choice America in particular - have seen an incredible outpouring of support and words of sympathy from our members, activists, and concerned citizens. If you'd like to share your thoughts, feel free to leave them in the comments below, on our previous post, or our Facebook page.
Here are a few updates from today's news:
From The Wichita Eagle, "Suspect in shooting death of abortion provider George Tiller may be charged today":
With one bullet, a gunman ended the life and the controversial career of abortion doctor George Tiller, killing him as he stood in the foyer of his church Sunday.
Today, a 51-year-old Johnson County man could be charged with murder and aggravated assault in the shooting of Tiller, who had been shot before by an anti-abortion foe.
The crime has drawn condemnation and outrage from the president and stirred strong emotions across the nation.
Tiller, 67, was shot once just after 10 a.m. Sunday as he stood in the lobby of Reformation Lutheran Church, 7601 E. 13th St., where he was serving as an usher. The gunman threatened to shoot two men who tried to apprehend him.
Wichita police said that the suspect was arrested without incident on I-35 in Johnson County about three hours after the shooting, following a statewide broadcast describing the suspect and his car.
Although Wichita police would not name the suspect, the Johnson County Sheriff's Office identified him as Scott P. Roeder, according to the Associated Press.
Wichita police said it appeared that the suspect had acted alone but that they are investigating whether he had any connection to anti-abortion groups.
Police on Sunday said they expected the man to be charged with murder and two counts of aggravated assault.
In a news conference at Wichita City Hall, Deputy Police Chief Tom Stolz said police will "investigate this suspect to the Nth degree, his history, his family, his associates, and we're just in the beginning stages of that."
The entire article, including a timeline, more community reactions and video is available at Kansas.com.
The Washington Post is reporting:
Acting on orders from Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., who said the Obama administration will take "appropriate steps to help prevent any related acts of violence from occurring," the U.S. Marshals Service announced that it will begin protecting certain abortion clinics and doctors.
We're collecting information on vigils occurring across the country and will update you as soon as we get all of the details.
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The lunatic fringe of the rightwing ANTI-Choice groups are a disgrace, and they encourage people to kill PRO-Choice physicians, after which they claim "non-violence." Shame, shame on them!!!!!!!!! Ethan E. Bickelhaupt, MD, DFAPA
America is suppose to be a christian country.We have people who say they are christians who are against abortions but they will kill people them selves. These fanatics are hidding behide christianity.I hope they(the law) find all who are involved and prosecuted them to the full extend of the law. This should be televised every night on major news network. People like Dr.Tiller should be given protection.
HOW SAD IT WAS TO SEE THE HEADLINES IN THE JUNE 1 EDITION OF THE NEW YORK TIMES "ABORTION DOCTOR KILLED". A MORE APPRROPRIATE TITLE WAS FOUND ON PAGE 2 "DOCTOR WHO PERFORMED ABORTIONS KILLED". I AM QUITE SURE THAT ABORTIONS WERE NOT HIS ENTIRE MEDICAL PRACTICE. NOW ALL HIS OB/GYN PATIENTS HAVE LOST A GREAT DOCTOR.
HOW SAD THAT PRO-LIFERS KILL THOSE WHO DON'T LIVE BY THEIR STANDARDS/RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. SOMEONE IN THIS GROUP KNEW WHO THE RADICAL BELIEVER WAS AND SHOULD HAVE OUTED HIM TO POLICE.
MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY.
DONNA
HOW SAD IT WAS TO SEE THE HEADLINES IN THE JUNE 1 EDITION OF THE NEW YORK TIMES "ABORTION DOCTOR KILLED". A MORE APPRROPRIATE TITLE WAS FOUND ON PAGE 2 "DOCTOR WHO PERFORMED ABORTIONS KILLED". I AM QUITE SURE THAT ABORTIONS WERE NOT HIS ENTIRE MEDICAL PRACTICE. NOW ALL HIS OB/GYN PATIENTS HAVE LOST A GREAT DOCTOR.
HOW SAD THAT PRO-LIFERS KILL THOSE WHO DON'T LIVE BY THEIR STANDARDS/RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. SOMEONE IN THIS GROUP KNEW WHO THE RADICAL BELIEVER WAS AND SHOULD HAVE OUTED HIM TO POLICE.
MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY.
DONNA
I did not hear about this until I checked my emails. It makes me ill to think someone felt it was the proper thing to kill a doctor who offers a choice to women. Without this choice where would we be? Back in the dark ages-God forbid!!
It is ludicrous that groups that claim to hold all life as sacred are willing to kill to prove it...and they have proven that they are evil. If Jesus came back today, these are the people who would crucify him again.
My heart and prayers go out to Dr. Tiller's family and friends. He was a great man; as Mother Theresa said, we can all do small things with great love. I had an illegal abortion when I was 16; I don't know the doctor's name, but he saved my life that night, and I bless him in my prayers every day. I believe that the soul is immortal and you cannot kill it. If a soul is meant to be born, then it will be, somewhere, somewhen.
Here's what I sent to my Senators and Congresswoman
The murder (assassination) of Dr. George Tiller, is an act of domestic terrorism.
"The calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious..."
Congress must act to clearly define acts of domestic terrorism to include assaults and murders (assassinations) such as that of Dr. George Tiller. The anti-choice fanatics who commit these acts must be subject to federal
full-life sentences in federal maximum security prisons, with the international terrorists with whom they have everything in common.
Bill O'Reilly clearly promoted and cheered on this act of violence. He belongs in jail with the guy who pulled the trigger. They are both terrorists.
I too abhor this hideous murder. It is a calculated act of domestic terrorism. I hope that all people of conscience, including organized religious organization condemn this terrorist and his supporters for the fanatics they are.
I agree with the comments above. Now is the time for responsible people to state that terrorism, in the name of any religion is wrong. Christianity is not free of this stigma any less so than Islam. both faiths have to deal with radicals elements in their midst. It is too convenient in the USA to gloss over the fact that there are christian terrorists. There are christian fascists. The term should not be linked solely to one faith.
How does an individual who claims to want to protect the life of a fetus because, it is a "human life", turn around a kill a living human being? This seems so contrary to what they are preaching and accusing the Pro-Choice individuals of doing. This kind of thinking does not make any sense at all. I blame the FOX network and right- wing radical organizations for promoting these irrational ideas.
I have always said I was more afraid of conservative Christians that prostitute their religion and do anything they want...in the name of the Lord. There was a clinic burned here a few years ago. Most Americans are not immune to these acts. We have all known someone that had an abortion or needed one and couldn't obtain it. I had an aunt that performed her own abortion back in the 1950's with a coat hanger and almost died. I see progress from those days. I believe that we need to stay on the positive to fight these evils. No good comes from anger or retribution. Stay on the high road. Keep your message clear. My heart is sad but I will never give up the message. I have a choice.