Currently, the motive for the murder of Arkansas Democratic party chair Bill Gwatney is unknown. (NYT) Gwatney, a supporter of Hillary Clinton and a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, was shot in his office at Democratic party headquarters in Little Rock. (NYT) He was rushed to the hospital, but died several hours later.(NYT)
The police said that the gunman was Timothy D. Johnson, 50, of Searcy, Arkansas. (NYT) After going to Democratic headquarters he asked to meet Gwatney. (NYT) After they’d introduced themselves, Johnson shot Gwatney several times. (NYT)
After leaving Democratic headquarters, the suspect was eventually killed in a gun battle with the police:
[T]he suspect next entered the Arkansas Baptist State Convention building several blocks away, where he pointed a gun at an employee but did not shoot. Dan Jordan, the convention’s business manager, told KTVH-TV that the suspect said he had just lost his job.The suspect then fled in a blue Dodge truck, beginning a chase that involved several law enforcement agencies and reached into the next county.
When officers immobilized the truck, the suspect got out and began shooting. The police returned fire, wounding him. The suspect was flown to Baptist Health Medical Center, where he later died. Lieutenant Hastings said several weapons were recovered. (NYT)
More details at The New York Times.
The Clintons released a 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,” they said.
“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,” they said. (CNN)
Howard Dean wrote:
“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.”(CNN)
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