The man suspected of shooting and killing doctor George Tiller Sunday morning has been identified as Scott Roeder of Merriam, Kansas.
Roeder has not been charged yet with the killing, but the 51-year-old was turned over to Wichita police Sunday evening. Roeder's relatives identified him for KMBC Channel 9. Here's a clip:
Roeder's uncle, Clarence Roeder, issued a statement Sunday evening."Thisis a tragedy for the Tiller family and we feel so badly about that,
that Scott would murder the doctor in the Lutheran church. We are also
Lutherans, and that adds a double touch of sadness and irony."
Familymembers told KMBC's Jim Flink that Scott Roeder had been in and out of
trouble in the 1990s, and they had not seen him since 2000, when his
father died.
Saw this on KMBC:
The White House released a statement from President Barack Obama late Sunday afternoon."Iam shocked and outraged by the murder of Dr. George Tiller as he
attended church services this morning. However profound our differences
as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be
resolved by heinous acts of violence."
A suspect has been arrested in the killing of Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller, the Wichita Eagle reports.
From the Eagle:
Authorities have yet to release more information about the arrest.
Wichita police have scheduled a 4 p.m. news conference to discuss the
case.
From KSHB Channel 41:
Police in Gardner stopped a car that matched the suspect's vehicle description.
Update (2:51 p.m.): Sara Humm took this Twitic of what she says is suspect's car in the Tiller killing.
Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller was shot and killed as he walked into church this morning, the Wichita Eagle reports.
From the Eagle:
Tiller was shot just after 10 a.m. at Reformation Lutheran Church at
7601 E. 13th, where he was a member of the congregation. Witnesses and
a police source confirmed Tiller was the victim.
No information has been released about whether a suspect is in custody.
Operation Rescue president Troy Newman released this statement:
We are shocked at this morning's disturbing news that Mr. Tiller was gunned down. Operation Rescue has worked for years through peaceful, legal means, and through the proper channels to see him brought to justice. We denounce vigilantism and the cowardly act that took place this morning. We pray for Mr. Tiller's family that they will find comfort and healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
From the Eagle's Twitter:
# mostly just police and media at Reformation Luthern Church now.5 minutes ago from web
# Video of police statement coming soon on Kansas.com15 minutes ago from web
# Body still hasn't not been removed from chuch.17 minutes ago from web
# Police say a handgun was used in the crime.21 minutes ago from web
# 225-BAB is the tag on the vehicle police are looking for. Kansas tags.22 minutes ago from web
# Several witnesses have been taken downtown for questioning.22 minutes ago from web
The suspect fled the scene
and authorities are still investigating. His car is described as a
powder blue or light blue Taurus with a K-State vanity plate, license
number 225 BAB. He is described as a white male in his 50's or 60's,
6'1," 220 lbs, wearing a white shirt and dark pants.
For those with a morbid curiosity, the Eagle has a Twitpic of Tiller's body being removed from the church.
Police say the suspect's car is registered in Merriam, Kansas.
Update (2:17 p.m.): Former Kansas Attorney General and Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline released the following statement:
I am stunned by this lawless and violent act which must
be condemned and should be met with the full force of law. We join in lifting prayer that God's grace
and presence rest with Dr. Tiller's family and friends.
Update (2:26 p.m.): Mary Kay Culp of Kansans For Life issued this statement:
Kansans for Life deplores the murder of Dr. George Tiller, and we wishto express our deep and sincere sympathy to his family and friends.
Our organization has a board of directors, and a 35 year history of
bringing citizens together to achieve thoughtful education and
legislation on the life issues here in Kansas.
We value life, completely deplore violence, and are shocked and very upset by what happened in Wichita today.
Mayor Mark Funkhouser released this statement Saturday night on the results of the recall effort:
Every day since I have been elected has been a challenge. Every issue I have tackled has had opponents. As I said in my State of the City Address, change is hard. My critics, the organizers of this effort, clearly do not like the status quo being challenged. But that is the reason I was elected to begin with. I plan to continue carrying out the agenda I laid out in the State of the City.To those of you who signed the recall petitions I pledge to work harder to gain your trust. I hope you understand that I am doing my best to fulfill my election promises and do what I believe is right for the city of Kansas City.
KMBC Channel 9's Micheal Mahoney reports that the effort to recall Kansas City's oversized novelty Mayor Mark Funkhouser has come up short.
Mahoney's super-secret sources tell him that the recall "fell a couple hundred signatures short." The recall group needed 16,950 signatures from Kansas City voters.
The results will be announced later Saturday afternoon.
The recall group had predicted victory earlier this week.
In his "State of the City" speech, Funkhouser said: "I know that there are some people who wish it were my last, but let there be no misunderstanding, I will be giving my third 'State of the City' address this time next year."
Not sure what type of legal challenge the recall group could mount, but I'd bet they'll seek a recount if Mahoney is right.
Hey, if you see someone slashing tires on cop cars, call 911 ... unless you're the one slashing tires.
A man accidentally shot his girlfriend Thursday afternoon while cleaning out a .45-caliber gun, witnesses told police.
Court records 23-year-old Takiya Love told 24-year-old Pervis D. Smith Jr. to stop playing with a gun prior to
the shooting. Smith was ejecting rounds from the chamber of the gun
when the it fired and hit Love in the chest.
One witness told police that Smith may have thought he'd ejected all
the rounds from the gun because he pointed it at Love and pulled the
trigger and the gun fired.
Smith and one of Love's sister drove her to Truman Medical Center after she was shot. She died at the hospital.
Smith was arrest at the hospital. He told police that he was trying to
clean out the .45-caliber gun when it fired off and struck Love.
Detectives described Smith as "distraught" while giving his statement.
Kansas City police classified Love's death as a homicide.
Friday, Jackson County prosecutors charged Smith with involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in Love's death.
From the Twitter of Jackson County Legislator Theresa Garza Ruiz:
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