Did Sheriff Hanlin Know of Christopher Harper Mercer before His Massacre?

[kpete]

Published October 3, 2015 | By emptywheel

I read this passage — from the Sheriff in charge of the investigation into the mass killing by Christopher Harper Mercer the other day — several times.

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin told reporters it wouldn’t be strange for someone in the state to have so many weapons.

“In Oregon, this is a hunting state and firearms are possible in most households,” he said.
Investigators said it was too soon to identify a motive, although Hanlin earlier told NBC’s TODAY he wasn’t aware of any “specific red flags” for the shooter.

“He is a local resident and I know personally I haven’t heard of any warning signs coming from this person,” Hanlin said.

Because Hanlin said, “I personally,” I initially believed he meant he personally knew of Harper Mercer. But after re-reading it, I believe, though am not certain, that Hanlin meant only that in the time Harper Mercer has been living in town (about four years, according to reports) he has never come up on the sheriff department’s radar (or more specifically, Hanlin’s personal radar). In a town of 20,000 people, there’d be no reason for Hanlin to know everyone.

Still, I wonder, given Hanlin’s refusal to utter Harper Mercer’s name. Given that both are big gun enthusiasts (though as Hanlin noted, that’s fairly common in the area), it’s possible they’ve met. There’d be no fault in that, nor would Hanlin be at fault for not noticing the guy, because nothing we know of in his history should have tipped anyone but the people who were egging him on on 4Chan. But I bet a guy like Hanlin has a certain idea of who engages in senseless killing and it’s not a guy like Harper Mercer, no matter how much of a loner.

In any case, this passage, from a local editorial, got me wondering about that statement from Hanlin again.

The investigation, led by Hanlin’s office, has only just begun. In press conferences, Hanlin has been urging anyone who might have tips relating to the shootings to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. But as a practical matter, how are people who may have valuable information about Harper-Mercer supposed to call if they never know that he was the shooter?

They’re right: Hanlin’s dictate no one should name Harper Mercer makes it somewhat less likely locals would call in tips of any warning signs.

Add in Hanlin’s fierce belief that guns are under threat — extending even to Newtown trutherism — and I wonder whether he wants to suppress how much like Harper Mercer looks like any other gun enthusiast.


https://www.emptywheel.net/2015/10/03/did-sheriff-hanlin-know-of-christopher-harper-mercer-before-his-massacre/

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. Sounds to me he meant no police calls re: the shooter, in the past.

Among the first things any intelligent Sheriff would do is to check for any records of the shooter involving police calls/arrest/charges.
The last thing he needs is to have a trail of police involvement where no action was taken.

[countingbluecars]

2. I would not be surprised if the sheriff

and the shooter had crossed paths in the some way or other.

[jberryhill]

3. The statement is way too ambiguous to read it that way

I know personally that I haven't gotten any late night booty calls from Christy Brinkley.

As noted above, it seems more directly read that neither he nor his department have had any interaction with him, and that he is personally competent to state that as a fact.

Oh, and I meant to add... Hang on... The phone is ringing...