Post by CCADP on Aug 25, 2005 10:00:33 GMT -5
Wal - Mart Suspect Said Mentally Disturbed
In Glendale, a man accused of gunning down two Wal-Mart employees in a
store parking lot -- reloading and continuing to fire into the men after
they fell -- didn't appear to know either victim and had no known vendetta
against the company, authorities said.
Court papers released Wednesday indicated the suspect, Ed Liu, 53, was
mentally disturbed but gave no further details.
The 2 employees had been collecting shopping carts in the crowded parking
lot of their suburban Phoenix store Tuesday afternoon when a man drove up
and started shooting, according to authorities.
Anthony Spangler, 18, and Patrick Graham, 36, were wearing their blue
Wal-Mart vests when they were hit. Both died from their wounds.
"This man, in cold blood, gunned down this young man. I mean, it's
terrible," said Spangler's grandmother, Norma Blaylock.
Graham's wife, Anita, said police told her the shooting appeared to be
random. "I want there to be a reason. I don't know why, but to me it seems
like there has to be," she said Wednesday.
Court documents released after Liu's initial court appearance Wednesday
alleged that after shooting the 2, Liu reloaded his .40-caliber handgun
and then shot them several more times as they lay on the ground about 75
yards from the store entrance.
2 witnesses gave police the license number of the shooter's car, and Liu
was arrested a few hours later in a nearby retirement community where he
lived.
He was booked late Tuesday on two counts of 1st-degree murder.
Liu did not immediately respond Wednesday to a request through jail
officials for an interview. A search of criminal record databases turned
up no criminal history for him in Arizona.
Neighbors said they rarely saw Liu, who had lived in the neighborhood for
about 7 years.
"He was just a quiet guy and one of those people you would least suspect,"
said neighbor Judy Devlin.
A Glendale police spokesman, Officer Mike Pena, declined to comment on why
investigators believe Liu is mentally disturbed, saying he didn't want to
jeopardize the case. He said authorities don't believe Liu knew the
victims or held a grudge against Wal-Mart.
Outside the store Wednesday, employees built a memorial of flowers and
candles to honor the victims.
"You'll be missed and forever in our hearts," read an inscription on one
poster.
Graham and Spangler had worked at the store only since the first week of
August, said Delia Garcia, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman. "Everyone's been deeply
affected by the loss," she said.
Graham and his wife had two sons and would have celebrated their 11th
anniversary next month. Anita Graham said her husband worked two jobs to
support the family.
"He'd always go out of his way to help anybody," she said.
Spangler graduated from high school in June and had gotten the Wal-Mart
job to save for college, said Blaylock, who had raised him. He wanted to
become an archaeologist.
"He was very, very kindhearted," she said. "I just wish he was here. I
want to see that smile."
The store, about 20 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix, closed after the
shooting but reopened Wednesday morning.
(source: Associated Press)
In Glendale, a man accused of gunning down two Wal-Mart employees in a
store parking lot -- reloading and continuing to fire into the men after
they fell -- didn't appear to know either victim and had no known vendetta
against the company, authorities said.
Court papers released Wednesday indicated the suspect, Ed Liu, 53, was
mentally disturbed but gave no further details.
The 2 employees had been collecting shopping carts in the crowded parking
lot of their suburban Phoenix store Tuesday afternoon when a man drove up
and started shooting, according to authorities.
Anthony Spangler, 18, and Patrick Graham, 36, were wearing their blue
Wal-Mart vests when they were hit. Both died from their wounds.
"This man, in cold blood, gunned down this young man. I mean, it's
terrible," said Spangler's grandmother, Norma Blaylock.
Graham's wife, Anita, said police told her the shooting appeared to be
random. "I want there to be a reason. I don't know why, but to me it seems
like there has to be," she said Wednesday.
Court documents released after Liu's initial court appearance Wednesday
alleged that after shooting the 2, Liu reloaded his .40-caliber handgun
and then shot them several more times as they lay on the ground about 75
yards from the store entrance.
2 witnesses gave police the license number of the shooter's car, and Liu
was arrested a few hours later in a nearby retirement community where he
lived.
He was booked late Tuesday on two counts of 1st-degree murder.
Liu did not immediately respond Wednesday to a request through jail
officials for an interview. A search of criminal record databases turned
up no criminal history for him in Arizona.
Neighbors said they rarely saw Liu, who had lived in the neighborhood for
about 7 years.
"He was just a quiet guy and one of those people you would least suspect,"
said neighbor Judy Devlin.
A Glendale police spokesman, Officer Mike Pena, declined to comment on why
investigators believe Liu is mentally disturbed, saying he didn't want to
jeopardize the case. He said authorities don't believe Liu knew the
victims or held a grudge against Wal-Mart.
Outside the store Wednesday, employees built a memorial of flowers and
candles to honor the victims.
"You'll be missed and forever in our hearts," read an inscription on one
poster.
Graham and Spangler had worked at the store only since the first week of
August, said Delia Garcia, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman. "Everyone's been deeply
affected by the loss," she said.
Graham and his wife had two sons and would have celebrated their 11th
anniversary next month. Anita Graham said her husband worked two jobs to
support the family.
"He'd always go out of his way to help anybody," she said.
Spangler graduated from high school in June and had gotten the Wal-Mart
job to save for college, said Blaylock, who had raised him. He wanted to
become an archaeologist.
"He was very, very kindhearted," she said. "I just wish he was here. I
want to see that smile."
The store, about 20 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix, closed after the
shooting but reopened Wednesday morning.
(source: Associated Press)