Binghamton in Our Prayers (school, university, live)

[ScranBarre]

I'm watching in horror right now as victims of the massive killing spree and hostage standoff at the American Civic Association center in Binghamton are being taken out on stretchers as FBI hostage negotiators are being brought in. Your friends and neighbors just south of you in Scranton are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Given how small of a city Binghamton (Bingo) is, I'm sure some of our members may have known somebody involved. Currently the death toll is at four with 20-40 taken hostage. This center helps immigrants in the Binghamton area to acclimate to their new environment, to learn English, to find work, etc.

[debey]

I have been following this, on CBS. I came to NY forums seeking more info........
My thoughts and prayers are offered, for those who are in anyway affected by this.

[ScranBarre]

At least a dozen are now confirmed dead. This is terrible! It's been a bloody year in many areas. We just had our seventh homicide in my own county, and this is already over HALF of our typical ANNUAL homicide total!

[ScranBarre]

Good! It looks like the gunman turned the gun on himself! At least no more lives will have to be lost!

[Puru]

Oh wow, that's crazy! I think I'mma go turn on the news. :O Best wishes the friends and family members of the victims.

[ohioaninsc]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Good! It looks like the gunman turned the gun on himself! At least no more lives will have to be lost!

I just can't understand this...I am watching the reports too, but if they man wanted to off himself, then he should have just offed himself, why kill so many innocent people, people who were practising to take the citizenship test, to become full blown U.S. Citizens? Why not just off yourself and be done w/ it.

Thoughts and prayers are w/ the victims and their families.

[TexasBlonde]

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families, and all of those involved. This is so sad

[ckhthankgod]

Man, this is very unusual for the Binghamton area too. God help them down there. They need all of the prayers they can get.

[looking4home]

I wasn't aware that Binghampton was such a center of immigration. But I suppose that because it has a university, and a large employer like IBM, it is bound to attract its share of foreign-born people. As we have seen recently, these types of tragedies are happening everywhere all around the world, even in countries with strict gun laws. And the reasons the perpetrators do it varies as well - from feeling bullied or inadequate at school, to having a failed relationship, or being laid off at work, the only common connection is people who have snapped, or perhaps have been mentally ill all along, and their friends/family, co-workers, etc. just ignored any warning signs, or just didn't want to get too involved. I think that's the underlying story here - we have become such a hands-off society in regards to people's emotions and lifestyle, that it has become not PC to pass judgment on others, or to openly wonder about, or criticize abberant behavior.

[highfallslover]

Watching the news conference now. Just so sad, things are going crazy. There was a bomb scare in our Walmart yesterday. A small town and someone called in a bomb threat. No bomb thankfully. This in Binghampton is just so sad and scary. You just have to wonder why anyone would do something as terrible as that.