2 Injured in U.S. 92 Shooting Rampage

[depakid]

An unemployed postal worker went on a five-mile shooting rampage early Saturday morning, hitting two people, one of whom was a 17-year-old who had just graduated high school earlier in the evening, according to Polk County Sheriff's officials. Robin Parks, 51, of 915 Keith Lane in Auburndale, is charged with five counts of attempted first-degree murder and battery using a deadly weapon, sheriff's officials said.

He is in the Polk County Jail. His first appearance hearing is set for today at 9 a.m.

Parks' wife, Judith Sumner, who is out of town on a business trip, told Polk County Sheriff's deputies her husband was laid off from the U.S. Postal Service in December, but detectives have not confirmed that information.

The incident occurred about 12:30 a.m. as Parks was driving east on U.S. 92, according to an arrest report.

Zachary Tucker, 17, of Lakeland, was riding home with his parents after enjoying a dinner at IHOP celebrating his graduation from Auburndale High School. According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, at Gary Road and U.S. 92, Parks fired two rounds from his Smith & Wesson .357-caliber revolver into the 2004 Dodge minivan driven by Tucker's father, Doyle Tucker. His mother, Cristal, also was in the vehicle.

"I heard a pop and I thought my tire had gone flat," Doyle Tucker said Saturday afternoon. "I slowed up to check it and heard another pop. My son said my bottom, my bottom."

One of the bullets fired by Parks entered the driver's side passenger door and struck Zachary in the buttocks, according to the arrest report. Zachary told his dad he was hurt. Doyle Tucker told deputies he saw Parks pointing a firearm at them from the vehicle next to them. Tucker said he thought Parks was intending to shoot him.

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After shooting at Hines, Parks then shot at a 2006 Chevy Mailbu driven by Robert Handy, 20, of Winter Haven, the sheriff's office said. The bullet missed Handy, but Parks then rear-ended the Malibu and shouted a racial slur at Handy. Handy was not injured.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said during a press conference Saturday that Parks didn't fit the profile of someone who would go on a shooting rampage, judging by the quiet community where he lives. Parks "lives in a house with a manicured lawn," Judd said.

More: http://www.theledger.com/article/20100605/NEWS/6065018/1410?Title=2-Injured-in-U-S-92-Shooting-Rampage

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[geckosfeet]

2. The man with manicured lawn said -

"I'm a God-fearing person," Parks said. "I'm terribly ashamed of myself. I really thought these fellows were after me and I wanted to protect myself."

Well, you're a god fearing person Robin? It's all right then. Just say the obligatory four hail Mary's and an our father and you can have your gun back. Hell - go out and buy a few more. It will help to ease the shame.

I know what he means about those family types that frequent IHOP though. VERY threatening people.

[cowman]

3. Meanwhile

back at the ranch where Molly was doing Danny,
don't you have some problems in your own country to fix?

[UpInArms]

4. of course there is gun violence in other countries, also - but what does your

post offer to this thread?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/02/2916693.htm

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Travis Coates]

6. I'll offer this

1. Gun free zones, aren't

2. When only the bad guy has a gun it's not over till he says it's over.

[proteus_lives]

7. An unemployed postal worker? That's so '90s.