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Tucson Shooting Suspect's Family "Hurting Real Bad"
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 11, 2011
Modified Jan 11, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 11, 2011
Modified Jan 11, 2011
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Yesterday, when the man suspected of shooting Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, as well as over a dozen others (leaving six dead), in an apparent assassination attempt appeared in court, not a single relative of Jared Lee Loughner was spotted in the courtroom. Now details are emerging about the 22-year-old's family, who initially blocked the FBI from entering their home. And a neighbor told the NY Post that Loughner's dad is "pretty much the neighborhood prick."
The neighbor, who also said, "They're like the Addams Family" (the Loughners don't participate in Halloween festivities or decorate their house at Christmas), also says Randy Loughner is a "very angry person" who gets in disputes. On the other hand, Randy's wife (and Jared's mother) Amy is "just nice as can be." But fellow News Corp.-owned publication, the Wall Street Journal, spoke to a different neighbor, Wayne Smith, who says the family is simply private, "They're hurting real bad. They are devastated." The friend also said that Randy Loughner had written a release, but was undecided about when he would release it.
Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said the Loughners were a "somewhat dysfunctional family." Jared Lee Loughner is an only child, but it seems his family did not realize he may have struggled with mental illness, which has been suggested by those who interacted with Loughner. His community college had asked that he be cleared by a mental health professional before returning. Glock bought a Glock 19 on November 30, and tried to buy ammunition at one Wal-Mart but the store refused because of his strange behavior. He managed to buy ammo at another Wal-Mart.
Smith also said he was the one to tell the Loughners that their son was suspected in the shooting. The couple had come back from grocery shopping to find the authorities at their house, with crime scene tape around it. Smith revealed that Amy Loughner "almost passed out right there. [Randy Loughner] sat in the road with the tape up and cried."
Tagged
arizona
gabrielle giffords
gun violence
jared lee loughner
pima county
shooting
tucson
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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