Arkansas Democratic Party Chairman shot

[LarryH]

Commercials advertising anti-depressants regularly list such side effects as suicidal thoughts, which, of course, are a subset of irrational thoughts.

While consumption of anti-depressants does not necessarily equate to insanity (matter of degree), that consumption can apparently lead to a psychotic break for some people.

It's possible, but not necessarily likely, that the man's whole objective was "suicide by cop" and Mr Gwatney was just a means to an end. When he started shooting at the police, he should have known the likely outcome would be either his incarceration or his death.

[Jim was making the point (better) while I was typing.]

[pedalman]

I did not say that use of antidepressants caused this man to go berserk. Millions of people have used them with good effects or at least no harm. However, there is some evidence that they can cause some people to become unstable, either while taking them or discontinuing their use.

"Some evidence" is not proof.

When you look at the facts that we have from news sources, the man had no history of criminal activity or mental illness. He had a reasonably good record at his job. Something caused him to snap. Maybe it was a brain tumor or injury. We may never know.

- Jim

Perhaps another Charles Whitman?

[seamusTX]

Could be. Eventually the autopsy results should be published, and maybe whoever prescribed the antidepressants will have some relevant information.

Whitman had told his psychiatrist that he had murderous impulses.

- Jim

[DoubleJ]

When you look at the facts that we have from news sources, the man had no history of criminal activity or mental illness. He had a reasonably good record at his job. Something caused him to snap. Maybe it was a brain tumor or injury. We may never know.

- Jim

It's not a tumah!

[seamusTX]

Police closed their investigation into the deaths of Mr. Gwatney and his killer without drawing a conclusion on the killer's motives. All they know is that he was on antidepressants.

http://www.nbc-2.com/Articles/readartic ... 23300&z=69" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I had been speculating silently that he might have left writings, or his physician might know something.

Once again, we will never be able to understand the cause of this incident, other than saying it was evil or insanity.

- Jim

[jimlongley]

I am sure that Obama will use this to push more anti-gun crap during his campain.

AT least he's likely to use it as the excuse for his epiphany that he has been wrong about (not) taking away people's guns.