Shooter Kills Three. Two were not Jewish.
By Dwight Widaman |
As a performance of “To Kill a Mockingbird” was to begin this afternoon at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City in Overland Park, Kan., a shooter opened fire killing two males at the entrance of the White Theatre. Also killed was a female at Village Shalom Retirement Center. Killed were William Lewis Corporon and his grandson, Reat Griffin Underwood. Ironically, neither were Jewish and attended United Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan.
Witnesses report that the shooter shouted “Heil Hitler” as he was taken into custody. Police continue to have the area cordoned off as the investigation continues.
The suspected shooter is taken into custody at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City.
“Our hearts go out to the families who have suffered loss on this tragic day,” read the statement in part. “Our heartfelt gratitude as well to all those in Kansas City and around the world who have expressed sympathy, concern and support.”
According to KMBC-TV the police took Frazier Glenn into custody near an elementary school several blocks from Village Shalom.
Glenn is well-known to the FBI, having been a leader in the KKK who publicly voiced hatred of Jews and the Jewish State of Israel. A registered Democrat, Glenn has run for office several times including for the Missouri Democrat nomination for Governor in 2006. In 2010 Glenn ran in the Democrat Senate primary race.
Rabbi Arthur Nemitoff, senior rabbi at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, located about a mile from the Jewish Community Center told ABC News that police arrived after the shooting around 1:45 p.m. and have stationed a police car there as a precautionary measure.
Kansas Rep. Kevin Yoder said he was “heartbroken” over the shootings.
“Brooke and I send our prayers and thoughts to the families and victims of this tragedy and our office stands ready to provide any needed assistance,” Yoder said in a statement.
The shooting comes as news stories focus on increased anti-semitism across Europe and the United States where universities are moving to defund investments that include Jewish and Israeli companies. Some believe that the anti-Israel moves may be stoking hatred towards Jews around the world.
As a matter of protocol the Los Angeles Police Department has stepped up patrols around Jewish-oriented locations. The New York Police Department said it was already in a heightened state of alert due to Passover holiday.
The Jewish holiday of Passover is scheduled to start Monday.
