Man killed in bar over what was on TV (Iraq War) when he refused to change channel

[RamboLiberal]

Around 6:45 p.m. Monday police were called for reports of an active shooter.

When they arrived, 65-year-old Donald Holler was dead due to a single gunshot wound to the back. Two bar patrons had the gunman pinned to the ground.

-----

He’d only been in the bar for about 10 minutes when he became angry over what was on the television.

Patrons thought the situation had resolved itself until minutes later, when Fromholz went to his truck and returned with a semi-automatic rifle.

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/07/12/new-details-emerge-about-suspect-in-fatal-ligonier-bar-shooting/


Channel 4 Action News' Jennifer Miele reported that police said Fromholz is an Army veteran who asked patrons at the pub to change the channel when a story about the Iraq war came on the news.

Police said Holler, who was holding the remote, refused. Police say that's when Fromholz went outside to his car, retrieved the gun, and staggered back through the dining room before opening fire.

Patrons said the pub is a family-friendly place where everyone knows your name.

"Every once in a while, as you all know, we have these unfortunate incidents," Ligonier Police Chief John Berger said.

Read more: http://www.wtae.com/news/28515345/detail.html#ixzz1Rw4rowt3

Chief Berger recovered a Smith & Wesson M&P-15, a rifle, in the restaurant.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11193/1159897-100.stm#ixzz1Rw7tOyZw

BTW, this criminal had come to kill - he was looking for his step-daughter to kill her for allegedly stealing from his bank account. And kudos to the patrons who took him on.

[slackmaster]

1. It was either Fox News, which he hates, or something other than Fox News

...and he wanted to watch Fox News.

[RamboLiberal]

2. Just updated the story - it was something on Iraq war

[provis99]

3. Forget it, Jake. It's Texas.

[baldguy]

4. No, it's Pittsburgh. They just want to think it's Texas.

[RamboLiberal]

5. Actually it's a small town about 30 + miles from Pittsburgh

Most famous for golf legend Arnold Palmer & Steeler's training camp.

[librechik]

6. a drunken guy with a gun in a bar. Good luck with that, Ohio

this story is your future.

[RamboLiberal]

8. Note the guy went out to his truck to get the rifle

All the no gun signs in the world wouldn't have prevented this unless they were used to barricade the doors!

You really think a silly law would've prevented this?

[struggle4progress]

19. I guess this is why people need to be able to bring their rifles onto other people's property

:shrug:

[RamboLiberal]

21. and if there was a law or posted sign

You really believe a guy like this would obey?

[librechik]

23. the law I'm referring to is the Ohio law that allows guns in the bars

"Guns not allowed" signs have worked in towns as far back as the 19th century. I don't know about this particular incident hypothetical, but I'm sure such laws are a general deterrent, even though imperfect.

[RamboLiberal]

25. This guy didn't come in with the gun originally

When he got pissed off he went out & got it. He would not have obeyed a sign!

[TheWraith]

20. You're aware that 43 states already have laws like Ohio's, right?

And that the incidences of drunken bar shootings are extremely low? And that it's already illegal to be drinking while carrying? And that under the previous law, there's still no way to stop someone from illegally carrying a firearm into a bar?

Just clarifying, because you're spreading a lot of FUD there.

[bluerum]

7. Tv's in bars. Really bad idea. Fauxnewz in bars. Pure stupid asking for trouble.

Guns in bars. Ouch.

[RamboLiberal]

9. And tell us short of an outright gun ban and confiscation

a law or a no gun sign would've prevented this. Note he went back to truck to get rifle.

[jpak]

10. Trophy Gun?

:shrug:

[ileus]

16. Naw just a mid level AR, nice but not a colt by any standards.

[Ragnarok]

11. Person on drugs (the legal liquid kind) and free of inhibitions...

...acts destructively around people he doesn't know for irrational reasons. Frankly, I'm shocked!

[buddysmellgood]

12. If only every drunk in the bar had been carrying a gun.

[gejohnston]

14. then they would be felons, look up the drinking while armed laws.

[Hoyt]

13. Notice the patrons took down the killer without resorting to a gun.

[struggle4progress]

18. That was really thoughtless of them: it undermines the script

[AtheistCrusader]

22. Which means what exactly?

Did he fire one shot, and lower the weapon and stand there, or did he try to kill everyone in the room, only to find himself surrounded by ninjas?

I mean, since you were there and all.

[ileus]

15. I've been wanting an M&P 15 since my BIL acquired one for his patrol rifle.

I have a couple of stags but I really like the M&P since it'd match my M&P 9c.

[ileus]

17. Responsible adults don't go to bars anyway...

[RamboLiberal]

24. More details - he complained TV too loud

At Fat Daddy's, a late-afternoon storm had knocked out the cable to two of the bar's four televisions, Donato said. Holler was watching a news story about Iraq when Fromholz walked in and complained that the sound was too loud.

"He wants it turned down," Donato said. "Don says, 'I'm watching that.' (Fromholz) walked over to Holler. Holler said, 'I don't want any trouble.' He went out and got his gun, came back in and did his work."

Three employees, including Donato, and 12 other patrons were in the bar at 6:48 p.m. when the shots were fired. When Berger pulled into the parking lot 30 seconds later, people were running from the building.

The rifle went off a second time as two patrons wrestled Fromholz to the floor and held him until Berger arrested him. The second shot did not strike anyone.

Read more: Victim in Ligonier bar: 'I don't want ... trouble' - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_746488.html#ixzz1S0ULoss9

Oh and in 95 he had been arrested on a gun w/o a license charge on a drunk driving stop. The gun charge was dropped.