[Via CNN-TV]

Police got tipped off by one of the victims who was shot and was able to call 911. She pretended to be dead and waited for the gunman to leave the area before hiding under desk and made the call.

The shooter (and the police have very good reason to believe it was a lonely shooter), entered the building, shot the receptionist and proceeded to kill 12 other people before allegedly turning the gun on himself. 37 people survived, 5 wounded (among them 4 in critical condition).

The people who survived did so because they barricaded themselves --they were instructed to do so by the SWAT team via cell phones.

It took 3 hours to diffuse the whole situation.

The Chief of Police will not confirm the identity of the shooter nor whether there was only one shooter involved.

[Via CNN-TV]

Police got tipped off by one of the victims who was shot and was able to call 911. She pretended to be dead and waited for the gunman to leave the area before hiding under desk and made the call.

The shooter (and the police have very good reason to believe it was a lonely shooter), entered the building, shot the receptionist and proceeded to kill 12 other people before allegedly turning the gun on himself. 37 people survived, 5 wounded (among them 4 in critical condition).

The people who survived did so because they barricaded themselves --they were instructed to do so by the SWAT team via cell phones.

It took 3 hours to diffuse the whole situation.

The Chief of Police will not confirm the identity of the shooter nor whether there was only one shooter involved.

Just got this:

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2009
Statement from President Obama on the Tragic Shooting

“Michelle and I were shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the act of senseless violence in Binghamton, NY today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and the people of Binghamton. We don’t yet know all the facts, but my administration is actively monitoring the situation and the Vice President is in touch with Governor Paterson and local officials to track developments.”

###

A lot of discussion has taken place on liberal blogs following the brutal death of Djimytai Damour at a New York store on Black Friday.

At MyDD, folks asked what the event meant about our culture, or pondered what Wal-Mart might have done to prevent the man's death, while over at Daily Kos there was a spirited debate over whether Wal-Mart was even responsible.

I do some work with Wake-Up Wal-Mart-- what they did was raise money to relieve Damour's family. We've been following this story pretty closely. Now it's taken another turn.

Now Leana Lockley, the pregnant woman whom Jdimytai Damour died saving, is telling her tale:

"There were so many people on top of me it just went silent," Lockley said. "I started hearing my teeth grinding in my mouth and my body being crushed. I really thought I lost my baby."  read more »