Witnesses: Fatal Shooting Followed Toy Store Brawl

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

Witnesses: Fatal shooting followed toy store brawl

Buzz UpSendSharePrint
By GILLIAN FLACCUS, Associated Press Writer – 19 mins ago

PALM DESERT, Calif. – The shooting occurred in a crowded toy store on the traditional start of the holiday shopping season, but authorities say it wasn't related to the bargain-hunting frenzy. Instead, two men pulled guns and killed each other after the women with them erupted into a bloody brawl, witnesses said. Authorities released few details about the mayhem that broke out at the Toys "R" Us store around 11:30 a.m. Friday, sending scared shoppers fleeing. Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Dennis Gutierrez said the fight was not over a toy and that handguns were found by the men's bodies. He refused to say whether the shooting was gang-related.

The victims were identified as Alejandro Moreno, 39, of Desert Hot Springs, and Juan Meza, 28, of Cathedral City. No one else was hurt. Witnesses Scott and Joan Barrick said they were checking out of the store when the brawl began between two women, each with a man. The women were near the checkout area, but the Barricks did not think the women had purchases.

One woman suddenly started punching the other woman, who fought back as blood flowed from her nose, said Scott Barrick, 41. The man who was with the woman being punched pulled a gun halfway out of his pocket, then shoved it back in, he said.

"He pulled his gun right next to me. I turned to look for my wife, and she was already hiding," Scott Barrick said. "I was scared," said Joan Barrick, 40. "I didn't want to die today. I really didn't want to die today, and I think that's what we were all thinking." The other man pulled a gun and pointed it at the first man but forgot to cock it, Scott Barrick said. The first man tried to run but was blocked by the line of people, then ran back toward the store's electronics section as the other man fired his gun, he said. The first man reached a dead-end in electronics, turned around and ran toward an exit, pulling his gun and firing back, Scott Barrick said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081129/ap_on_re_us/toy_store_shooting

[hobbit709]

1. At least the two idiots only hit each other.

[dynasaw]

2. Do we understand this sort of behavior?

This incident and the one where the Wal Mart worker was trampled to death? What's going on with people?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

8. Two more victims in The War On Christmas.

They will never be forgotten. Bill O'Rielly will give "The Bill O'Rielly Medal Of Valor" to their widows.

[Doctor_J]

3. This is a tragedy

I mean the fact that they didn't kill their wives before killing each other. If Darwin were really dialed in, all four would now be out of the gene pool

[Zuiderelle]

4. Guns are so cool.

:(

[BlueManDude]

5. If everyone had a gun, no one would ever get shot.

[Zuiderelle]

7. Yes, right. That makes sense.

Mmm hmm

[Sydnie]

9. They both had guns and they both got shot - dead.

Blows a hole in that theory, doesn't it?

[geckosfeet]

13. Just more evidence that arming everyone will lead to chaos.

[Pavulon]

15. Bet my left

pinky not a single weapon here was legal. bangers killing bangers, net net.

[merwin]

20. Not like a normal kitchen knife would kill you either or anything...

They might have well stabbed each other with knives. Where is the difference?

[BlueManDude]

14. Someone's sarcasm meter is off today.

;)

[Sydnie]

16. Yeah, you got me on that one.

:)

[BlueManDude]

17. there are people (including some here) - who believe that. nm

[Vinnie From Indy]

6. "Clean up in aisle three"

I refuse to feel sorry for these two assholes and their idiot "lady" friends after they endangered the lives of so many others. In a toy store? No, I am not shedding a tear for two guys that start blasting away in a Toys R Us.

Any bets that the women fighting/families of the men shooting file lawsuits against Toy R Us for not having proper security measures?

[ksimons]

10. 'reached a dead-end in electronics' - just like the rest of America

irony

[FirstLight]

11. Whole world's gone crazy...

The story link has a photo of a mom and her son sitting and looking at the scene...I wonder how that mom can explain the events to her child?
Will that child have nightmares from the scariness of the event..?

How many of our kids are subjected to violence on a daily basis just because they live in a "bad nieghborhood" and how many are just random witnesses to more and more humans going nuts about stupid shit....

These events just keep reminding me that
a) no town, city, nieghborhood, etc is relly "safe" from random acts of violence
b) people seem to value life less and less, as we become more like overcrowded rats in a cage

scary times, what can any one person do to ensure their own well being?

[geckosfeet]

12. Damn. If only they would always just kill eachother.

[undeterred]

18. Its scary to think that Christmas shopers are armed

especially in a toy store. :shrug:

[gabby garcia]

19. a shining example

of instant karma.