Possible CHL holder shot and killed trying to save woman

[Charles L. Cotton]

There was a shooting at the Smith County Courthouse in Tyler, TX around 1:30 pm today. A husband or ex-husband shot and killed his wife/ex-wife with an AK-47. Witnesses said a man, possibly a CHL holder, fired three rounds hitting the murderer twice, but the the perp. apparently was wearing body armor. The perp. turned and shot the "CHL holder" in the head. Three other people were injured, and I think all three were LEO's. The murderer was shot and killed after a short pursuit.

Who says citizens have no need for AP rounds? I'm not sure where the information about the man being a CHL holder came from, but that is what is being reported on some web sites. It is quite possible he was a LEO, we just don't know yet.

Here is a link to a Tyler TV station with multiple videos on the left side of the page.

Stay safe folks,
Chas.

http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2994393

[dolanp]

The police mentioned he had a CHL during the press conference. God rest his soul. He did a brave thing trying to stop this madman but he couldn't know the guy had body armor. :(

[Charles L. Cotton]

Apparently, the murderer left the scene immediately after being hit by the CHL's rounds, and of course killing him. He may well have saved some lives.

As someone on 1911forum said, "No greater love . . . " May the Lord be with his family.

Chas.

[MoJo]

Sadly, Mark Wilson was killed trying to stop this attack.

His murder should be a lesson to all of us:
1. Seek cover as soon as a gunfight breaks out.
2. Shoot until the threat is neutralized.
3. A hand gun is a poor weapon in a gunfight.

May God rest his soul and comfort his family.

[Charles L. Cotton]

I am furious! I just saw the 10:00 pm KHOU Ch. 11 and KPRC Ch. 2 news spots on the Tyler Courthouse shooting. Both spots were quick to refer to an "assault weapon" and Ch. 2 said the murderer fired 50 rounds.

What really has me steaming is the way they reported on Mark Wilson's death. They didn't give his name and merely mentioned him in passing, referring to him as a bystander also killed.

I called Ch. 11 newsroom and asked why they didn't report his involvement accurately; i.e. a CHL who died trying to save lives. An arrogant woman simply said, "well, obviously we didn't know it or we would have." What a load of crap! The media has had this information since late this afternoon, or early evening. I switched over to Ch. 2 and they had the same report.

What an insult to a brave man; pitching the assault weapon slant, while ignoring his sacrifice. I hope the local stations hear from some folks.

Chas.

[fiftycal]

Perhaps everyone reading this should contact their local news outlets and repeat what happened.

From reports;

> I live about 25 miles from Tyler and am listening to the press conference
> now. I posted this because one of the dead was a TX CHL holder. His name was Mark
> Allen Wilson age 52. A guy shot and killed his wife and shot his son over a
> child support issue. Mr. Wilson came to the aid of the son and shot the shooter
> several times but he was wearing a flack jacket and a bullet proof vest and
> shot Mark Allen Wilson to death. They say he was using an AK-47. The sheriff is
> making the claim that if not for Mark Allen Wilson the son would be dead. He
> is actually singing praises to the CHL holder. I say that like he shouldn't,
> sorry it just surprised me.

Hopefully you will join me in calling Rep. Leo Berman (512-463-0584 Austin, (903)
939-2400 Tyler), Senators Eltife ((512) 463-0101 Austin, (903) 596-9122 Tyler) and
Staples ((512) 463-0103 Austin, (936) 699-4988 Lufkin) and Govenor Perry ((800)
252-9600 or (512) 463-2000) and ask for a Resolution of the Legislature commending Mark
Allen Wilson for his actions.

The Tyler Police Chief says in his press conference
(http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2994393) that Wilson's actions probably saved
the life of the shooter's son.

Hopefully NRA/TSRA will also have some recognition for this brave man.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Hopefully NRA/TSRA will also have some recognition for this brave man.

I have a meeting at NRA HQ in Fairfax next week. I'll see what I can do.

Chas.

[Greybeard]

The Wife had TV on basketball game and I did not get swithced in time to catch the Dallas TV coverage at 10:00, :( , but I did find this:

Mark Allen Wilson, 52

No one who knew Mark Allen Wilson is surprised by his sacrifice.

John O'Sullivan, who owned the downtown building where Mark Wilson lived, said Wilson was a good friend.

"He didn't shy away from danger," O'Sullivan said. "He always jumped into things."

He said Wilson's response to the rampage was "typical Mark Wilson."

Wilson opened an indoor gun range in Tyler, On-Target, in 1997. It was a facility focused on self-defense, say people who knew him.

Tyler cardiologist Dr. Scott Lieberman, Wilson's friend and former business associate, said Wilson was a "fundamental believer in self-defense and protection."

"He was demonstrating that today," Lieberman said. "He had a strong sense of honor and protection."

That sense of protection extended to the entire downtown area, Wilson's friends say.

"He was a downtown fixture, having been there for so long," said one neighbor, Billy Boone. "He looked out for everyone else's place. If something looked wrong or out of place, he'd check on it."

Wilson's apartment looked directly onto the courthouse, Boone added.

"He had a bird's-eye view of what was happening," Boone said. "I imagine he saw it and immediately reacted. That's the kind of guy he was."

Mark Anderson, a friend, agreed. "It was a very heroic thing for him to do. But he lost his life in the process."

----------

This and related stories at http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd= ... _ID=226369

Note body in photo near fire hydrant ... attempted to use for cover?

RIP, Mr. Wilson. Prayers for friends and family.

[dolanp]

I'm guessing the reason many outlets are not mentioning the CHL aspect is because it happened to be inconsequential to the shooting given that Mr. Wilson lived across the street from the courthouse and came out of his home. He would have been justified in doing that with or without a CHL as I understand it.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Hi dolanp:
You're right, the CHL was irrelevant. If Mr. Wilson's actions were being reported in the Houston area and they merely left out the fact that he was a CHL holder, I would have no complaint. However, in the Houston media market, it's not being reported that Mark Wilson was killed while saving the 22 year old man's life. His name isn't being mentioned and he's referred to merely as a bystander. People who do not hear other reports, such as those coming out of Tyler, are left with the opinion that Mr. Wilson was simply hit with a stray bullet.

This morning on KTRH AM 740 radio in Houston, the report was pretty much the same. Mr. Wilson was not named and was identified as a bystander. Then, an audio tape of a Tyler PD spokesman was played with him lauding the bravery of the deputy sheriffs and Tyler police officers who fought with the murderer. I don't doubt a word of his statement! However, I think it's appalling that KTRH would publicize the bravery of LEO's, but never mention Mr. Wilson's sacrifice. He had no legal duty to act whatsoever; he voluntarily chose to risk and ultimately loose his life to save a perfect stranger. He and his family deserve our respect, they don't deserve to be ignored by the media to further a political goal.

The Smith County Sheriff's Dept. spokesman (perhaps the Sheriff himself) was quoted in Tyler as crediting Mr. Wilson for saving the 22 year old's life, and possibly others, yet the Houston area media choose to ignore his selfless act.

Please do not take my comments as being directed toward you or your post. It appears your area may well be getting more accurate coverage of this incident than our media outlets in the Houston feel we need.

Let me step down from my soapbox now,

Regards,
Chas.

[mushoot]

The San Antonio Express-News has a story today. The story is not too bad. It continues on page 7A and states that "...Wilson as a gun enthusiast dedicated to the idea of self-defense." Above the continuation is the headline "Angry Tyler rifleman reportedly was dedicated to the idea of 'self-defense' " John

[Charles L. Cotton]

I've read several other accounts, both posts on various forums and some newspaper articles. It appears the coverage is pretty good, outside the Houston area. The Houston Chronicle's article is as bad as the TV/radio reports. Even CNN.com has an article that gives proper credit to Mark Wilson. That should tell the Houston media something!

Chas.

[Paladin]

Mark Wilson is a true hero. May he rest in peace.

[HighVelocity]

I am both angry and sick over this. I haven't been able to think about anything else since I first heard the news. No matter how prepared we think we are, we're not.

God Bless Mr. Wilson and his family.

[MoJo]

I posted this at Stoppingpower.net there was a question if Mr. Wilson had children. It was suggested if so, maybe a college fund could be started. Does anyone know about family etc.?