Guest William E Report post Posted July 24, 2003 NEW YORK (July 23) - A city councilman known as a crusader against urban violence was shot to death inside City Hall on Wednesday by a political rival who bypassed security by walking into the building along with his victim. A plainclothes police officer shot and killed the assailant, who was a political opponent of the councilman and had accompanied him into the building, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. The gunman's ties to the councilman apparently allowed him to bypass security. ``Obviously, there was a breakdown someplace,'' said Bloomberg, who was in his office at the time of the attack and unharmed. Bloomberg said that all officials, including himself, will now be required to go through the machines. Brooklyn Councilman James Davis, a former police officer and outspoken presence on the council, died from two gunshots to the chest as 14 bullets rattled across the landmark lower Manhattan building, authorities said. The gunman, Othniel Askew, 31, died a short time later at a hospital, according to a police source. The two mortally wounded men were found lying side by side in the balcony overlooking the chambers. City Hall erupted in chaos after the shots were fired, when it was unclear whether the gunman had escaped. As shots echoed across the second floor of City Hall, people dove for cover beneath their desks and the rotunda filled with screams. ``It was so loud you couldn't hear the direction,'' said City Council photographer Dan Luhmann. ``At first, it was absolute stillness. And then people rushed out and ducked under their desks and it was chaotic.'' Police officers, including some in riot gear, swarmed nearby streets and sealed entrances and exits to the building as they searched for the gunman. The Brooklyn Bridge was shut down, and subway service was suspended at the City Hall station and nearby stations for about an hour. Askew had filed papers to oppose Davis in a three-way council race in this fall's Democratic primary, Bloomberg said. Councilman Charles Barron said he encountered Davis and Askew outside City Hall on their way into the meeting. Davis introduced Askew, telling Barron, ``This is the guy who was once against me, but now he's with me.'' Askew offered a firm handshake and an intense stare, Barron said. A short time later, Barron stood staring into the balcony as the gunman shot down at Davis' prone body. ``He wasn't shooting randomly,'' Barron said. Davis, who was 41 and black, joined the police department in 1993, 10 years after he was beaten by two white officers, according to his Web site. In 1991, Davis founded ``Love Yourself Stop the Violence,'' a not-for-profit organization dedicated to stopping violence in urban America. He was elected in 2001, and was a minister. The shooter was one of about 100 people on the balcony inside the second-floor council chambers and was sitting near Davis when the gunfire erupted after 2 p.m, according to witnesses. The security officer, who was on the floor of the chamber, shot up at the gunman, striking him five times, said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. Security had been stepped up at City Hall since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Besides the installation of metal detectors, a uniformed police officer is posted at the gate. Employees and police officers were not required to pass through metal detectors. Sen. Hillary Clinton called the death of Davis, a man who devoted himself to law enforcement and stopping violence, ``a tragic, terrible irony.'' Davis' brother, Geoffrey, emerged from the hospital around 4:45 p.m. ``The system killed my brother,'' Davis said. ``They knew that he would fight. We're going to keep fighting and do the right thing.'' What has the world come to when city council shoot each other down over stupid disagreements. Know one got anything out of this because they are both dead. I was in Manhattan not to far from the city hall. I didn't know why cops and police helicoptors were swarmin the place until now. You would have thought ther was a terrorist attack. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lightning Flik Report post Posted July 24, 2003 And my faith in humanity drops even more... That's seriously fucked. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest NoCalMike Report post Posted July 24, 2003 This makes no sense at all. What point was trying to be made, and did the idiot actually think he could get away with it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2003 I blame City Hall's security policies for this. Why only screen 90% of the people who come in? Sure screening Bloomberg everytime would not reveal anything, but screening everybody would have prevented this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest SideFXs Report post Posted July 24, 2003 It has been reported that Davis allowed the shooter, Askew, and himself to by-pass security check-points. Here is an example of how we, the ordinary citizens are treated differently from elected government officials. The very rules designed to provide security for N.Y City Hall, were ignored by the liberal city officials. As the councilmen become skittish to the question of, "Have you allowed persons accompanying you to by-pass the security measures?," I am sure what is going through their minds, is the fear that their constituents are going to see that they, the government officials, are treated to a double standard. (Nothing new there!) Isn't it ironic that the very hubris that officials, in positions of power, develop as they become drunk with their own self importance, would cause Davis's death? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Retro Rob Report post Posted July 24, 2003 I just caught a few minutes of this on the news. From what I heard, the two men were rivals and the councilman was going to reveal that the shooter was gay, which then would have hindered the shooter's ability to get a political position. Prior to the attack, the shooter contacted the FBI and told them about the councilman's plans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites