Loughner’s parents publicly apologize

[Rhiannon12866]

TUCSON, Ariz. - In his own way, Jared Loughner did try to fit in.

Before everything fell apart, the 22-year-old went through the motions as many young men do nowadays: Living at home with his parents, working low-wage jobs at big brand stores and volunteering time doing things he liked.

None of it worked.

His relationship with his parents was strained. He clashed with co-workers and police. And he couldn’t follow the rules at an animal shelter where he spent some time.

Now, he could be facing death. He is accused of trying to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, killing six people and injuring 13 others in a weekend shooting rampage in Tucson.

And for all of it, his parents, silent and holed up in their home, apologized Tuesday.

http://poststar.com/news/local/article_c54005a0-1deb-11e0-94fa-001cc4c03286.html

[Horse with no Name]

1. There are always victims that don't have sympathy

But the truth is, they lost their son on Saturday too.
My thoughts go out to these people.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. Excellent point.

It's impossible to imagine how they feel, has to be devastating and overwhelming, and they're probably still in shock. Their lives certainly won't ever be the same, either. :(

[hlthe2b]

13. Off topic, but your pup's sweet face makes me smile...

(and I haven't done much of that lately)....;)

[Rhiannon12866]

14. Thanks so much!

Actually, that's not my dog... LOL. Though the resemblance was intentional. I have had my pup(s) as my sig pic for most of the time I've been on DU. But I found that pic on line, just for the holiday. My dog wouldn't take well to wearing a hat, holiday or not... ;)

Here's my Jack. He makes me smile, too... :D :loveya: :hi:

[hlthe2b]

15. cuties!

;)

[Fleshdancer]

8. They have my sympathy

I wouldn't wish their situation on my worst enemy.

[Horse with no Name]

10. Mine too.n/t

[calimary]

2. I feel really bad for them. What a thing to have to face every day - knowing your own

child did something like this. That's got to be simply horrible. They're facing some horrendous inner torment for the rest of their lives.

[Hannah Bell]

4. there was a report that when his father was told he sat down on the curb & cried.

this is the "weirdo" father people are speculating caused the kid's problems.

just sad all the way around.

[Horse with no Name]

5. It's hard for many folks to realize

that even when adult children live at home--most of the time, they live their own lives.

My 22-year old daughter lives with me--we pass each other coming and going. Our schedules are opposite. We do try to schedule a dinner once a week, but that doesn't always work out.

Honestly, if she was planning something of this magnitude--I doubt I would know it.
I respect her privacy and don't rifle through her things or go into her room.

It could easily happen to anyone. People just don't realize how easy it would be.

[EFerrari]

6. It's a terrible thing to lose the child you raised to an illness like that.

I guess those of us whose kids became addicts experience something similar, your child is gone. To add this terrible violence on top of it, that would be too much. I hope these people have some family somewhere.

[calimary]

17. Yeah, no kidding.

[gatorboy]

9. Weirdo? In what way?

In the article there's nothing about him that comes off as "weird". The friend says his parents hassled him before he went out, but what parents don't give their kids a talk sometimes before they leave (And what teenager doesn't think it's hassling)?

Have you read another article on this family?

[EFerrari]

11. In other stories, the next door neighbor remembers the dad

yelling at him about uncollected garbage. Others report him as unresponsive when they said hi the way neighbors do. No stories about how he smiled or was nice or neighborly. And apparently he raised the boy while the mom worked. The dad is in his 70s.

[NuclearDem]

7. I can't imagine what these folks are going through

It's all been said already...I'm keeping them in my thoughts along with everyone else who was a victim of Tuscon.

Also, isn't it disgusting we have VICTIMS apologizing for the tragedy, but the perpetrators and enablers aren't?

[Rhiannon12866]

16. You said it best

The others are just full of excuses or claim that they were "misunderstood.." :eyes:

My heart goes out to these poor parents, whose lives will never be the same. As for the kind neighbors who brought the little girl, I cannot imagine their lives ever getting back to "normal," either. ;(

[Tripod]

12. I can not even imagine this.

My own daughter is the same age. How hard it would be to have to deal with such a thing as a parent. thanks for the OP Rhiannon