Breaking News: Bill Gwatney Killed, Shooting Suspect Dead

The Arkansas Times reports Gwatney has died:

Arkansas State Democratic Party Chair Bill Gwatney was fatally wounded at State Democratic Party Headquarters on Capitol Avenue about 11:50 a.m. today, witnesses at the scene said.

The suspected shooter was also fatally wounded in a shootout with police after a 30-mile chase into adjoining Grant County, a Little Rock police spokesman said...

Gwatney was taken from the scene in an ambulance and a witness said the wound was serious. Police spokesman Terry Hastings (shown at crime scene briefing shortly after the shooting) said later that he'd been shot three times in the upper body and was in critical condition...

His death was officially announced at a 4 p.m. police news conference.

Arkansas Business reports that contrary to rumors, police say the shooter was NOT a former employee of Gwatney's. They've declined to identify him , but confirmed the alleged shooter was from Arkansas. They've also declined to comment on possible motives.

Gwatney was considered a rising star in the Democratic Party. More on his life in politics and business here.

The AFP reports on reactions from prominent Democratic Party leaders.

Update: More reactions at Memeorandum. One of the links is to a post by prominent wingnuttia crazymaker Michelle Malkin, whining about an e-mail blaming her blog rantings for the shooting. Once again, in the middle of a tragedy, she manages to make it all about herself. Real classy.

Memo to Malkin et al: many prominent bloggers get all sorts of wacky comments/e-mails; you're not special in this regard. This isn't about you.

Photo: Reuters

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