Suspect in Mt. Rainier shooting found dead in snow

[dbt]

Source: CBS / AP

An armed Iraq War veteran suspected of killing a Mount Rainier National Park ranger managed to evade snowshoe-wearing SWAT teams and dogs on his trail for nearly a day. He couldn't, however, escape chest-deep snow.

A plane searching the remote wilderness for Benjamin Colton Barnes, 24, on Monday discovered his body lying face down on the mountain hours from where authorities could get to him.

Barnes is believed to have fled to the remote park on Sunday to hide after an earlier shooting at a New Year's house party near Seattle that wounded four, two critically. Authorities suspect he shot ranger Margaret Anderson later Sunday. <snip>

The shooting renewed debate about a federal law that made it legal for people to take loaded weapons into national parks. The 2010 law made possession of firearms subject to state gun laws.


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57351021/suspect-in-mt-rainier-shooting-found-dead-in-snow/?tag=stack

[Mz Pip]

1. I seriously doubt that this guy

would give a shit about any gun laws. However, if he had family or friends that knew he was suicidal, suffering from PTSD and had those weapons it might have been a good idea to alert the authorities. Then again, maybe they did and there wasn't enough time to act on it.

We need to get more support systems in place for our returning war veterans. Sadly, lack of support will just let more guys like this slip though the cracks.

Sad all the way around.

[No Elephants]

2. The whole thing is just so sad.