Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
A Tale of Two Shootings
As Americans always do, scores of celebratory parades, concerts, and fireworks demonstrations occurred on Independence Day. Sadly, at least one of them ended tragically, with a 21-year-old shooter killing eight people in the pleasant and peaceful north Chicago suburb of Highland Park. Two Philadelphia police officers were also injured by gunshots at a July 4th celebration, but there are lots we don’t know about that incident, other than the mayor wants to quit his job he “can enjoy some stuff.”
You know about the first one, and probably the back story that has emerged. A disturbed and troubled young man caught up in gangsta rap culture who once threatened not only to kill himself but others. An apparently delinquent father who enabled his son’s fantasy’s for guns, while a “red flag” law in one of America’s strictest gun control states was ignored. At least seven people are now dead, and others were injured.
You may, however, not know much about the second one, this one in Richmond, Virginia. While the local newspaper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch gave the arrest considerable coverage, the Daily Caller wrote a better and more informative story. Emphasis added:
Two men who were allegedly plotting a mass shooting in Virginia are in the state illegally, with one of the men having been deported several times, according to authorities.
Richmond Chief of Police Gerald Smith said during a press conference Wednesday that “a hero citizen picked up the phone and overheard a conversation there was a mass shooting being planned here in the city of Richmond, Virginia,” according to NBC 12.
“There’s no telling how many lives this citizen hero saved from one phone call,” Smith said. “One phone call saved numerous lives on the Fourth of July.”
Authorities arrested 52-year-old Julio Alvarado-Dubon and 38-year-old Roman Balacarcel, who allegedly planned to shoot up Richmond’s Fourth of July celebration. Both men were charged with being non-citizens in possession of a gun. Smith said the men are roommates.
Alvarado-Dubon had two rifles, a handgun and 200 rounds of ammunition and was arrested July 1. Balacarcel was surveilled by authorities and arrested Tuesday with the same charges.
Smith said it was “frustrating” that one of the men had been deported several times and was able to re-enter the country.
Missing from the Times-Dispatch story was any mention of the immigration status of the alleged perpetrators. But the newspaper was sure to feature this tweet in its online version from a city councilman blaming illegal guns and the state’s lieutenant governor, Winsome Sears.
I’ll bet my bottom dollar that neither of these illegal immigrants has ever heard of Lt. Gov. Sears. Or the deluded city councilman, Michael Jones, either. But this is the kind of irresponsibility we get from attention-seeking, agenda-pushing politicians and their fellow travelers in the media.
Kudos to the Police Chief for at least highlighting the “hero citizen” who tipped off the police. And kudos to the Richmond Police for responding quickly and effectively. There are many heroes in this story.
The episodes highlight, again, that existing laws either aren’t being used (red flag laws in places like Illinois or New York) or are not being enforced (immigration laws). The Biden Administration’s open border policies — nearly 500,000 illegal immigrants have skirted apprehension by the Customs and Border Patrol this fiscal year — are undoubtedly contributing to our growing crime problems.
Don’t expect the White House press corps to ask about the Richmond incident. Nor should anyone expect a response, should it come up. But at least you know.
Published in General
This post was promoted to the Main Feed by a Ricochet Editor at the recommendation of Ricochet members.
Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community
of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.
There are 3 comments.
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
Sadly, the refuse that the runs the City of Richmond thinks locals are of such low account or have lives so worthless that they can’t be trusted to carry their own arms to defend against criminals. They’ve made sure to make it illegal for your average dad and mom or grandparent who wants their kids to see a nice parade to have a sidearm in the case the unthinkable happens on a day when we’re supposed to be able to celebrate our freedoms. I’m glad someone heard these guys planning their murder and reported them, because had they carried out their plans, Levar Stoney and Richmond City Council would’ve made sure average folks had no way to respond, just like the legislators in Illinois.
As time passes, it becomes increasingly difficult to explain away these failures.
“Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action.”
Thank you, Kelly. Informative and enlightening as ever. I wonder who these guys will vote for in November. And how many times. I wonder if they have already been bussed to Florida and released with new identities.