Man takes hostages at shooting range, kills self

[seamusTX]

Lake Panasoffkee, Florida (Tampa area), April 12: Man out on bail after violent incident tries to steal guns at a range. Caught. Takes hostages. Asks for drugs. Gets them. Asks about the best way to kill himself. Takes advice.

I could not make this kind of thing up. If it was a movie, I would say it was unbelievable.

One version here
Another version here

- Jim

[ScubaSigGuy]

[TX Rancher]

From the first article:

“Just before 5 p.m., Bechard's cell phone rang. A friend who had been planning to meet them was on the line. "They've got cops surrounding the front door," his friend said.�

So something’s going on either out the front door or internal to the store that requires multiple LEO’s…I guess I would assume something was up. So what do these two guys do?

“The two men put down their weapons. They stepped through the doors that separate the range from the showroom, ready to turn in their ear and eye protection.�

And I suspect their weapons were unloaded too…not that it would mater since it sounds like the weapons were left behind. Doesn’t sound like these two are very tactical minded. They’re lucky Dudney didn’t shoot them as they exited the range. After all, two guys walking off of a range, it would be normal for the BG to assume they have weapons…

[ScubaSigGuy]

I saw that too Tx I think that my eyes almost poopped out of my head while reading it. Lucklily it turned out OK for them in the end. What a contrast to the gentleman in the grocery store in OK, huh?

[Tote 9]

Had he been in his right mind it could have been much worse.
who knows. Glad it turned out ok. he should have never gotten
out on bail the first time.

[Big Calhoun]

This situation makes me so glad the two ranges I frequent have loads of staff that carry. Although, there doesn't seem to be any positive indication whether the staff at this business were carrying. I would find it odd if they weren't.

[ForbidInjustice]

Ah, like I said before in response to this incident: I'm glad I shoot out at the range on Fort Hood! Looking down the line and seeing 50 soldiers with M16s in hand makes you very conscious not to do anything stupid!