Tucson Shooting Survivor Arrested for Issuing Death Threat to Tea Partier at ABC Town Hall

By Noel Sheppard | January 15, 2011 | 19:37

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In the middle of a taping for a town hall meeting to be aired on ABC's "This Week" Sunday, a survivor of last week's Tucson shootings issued a death threat to a Tea Party member in attendance.

According to the website of ABC-TV affiliate KGUN, J. Eric Fuller was arrested and charged with threats, intimidation, and disorderly conduct:

The meeting room at St. Odilia's Catholic Church on the city's northwest side was packed with local dignitaries, witnesses to the mass shooting Jan. 8, some of the witnesses to the shootings and the first responders to the scene for a taping of an ABC-TV special, a town hall event, at 11 a.m. Saturday. Host of the program, This Week, is Christianne Amanpour. The show will air at 7 a.m. Sunday on KGUN9-TV. [...]

Toward the end of the town hall meeting Saturday morning, one of the shooting victims, J. Eric Fuller, took exception to comments by two of the speakers: Ariz. state Rep. Terri Proud, a Dist. 26 Republican, and Tucson Tea Party spokesman Trent Humphries.

According to sheriff's deputies at the scene, Fuller took a photo of Humphries and said, "You're Dead."

Deputies immediately escorted Fuller from the room.

Pima County Sheriff's spokesman Jason Ogan said later Saturday that Fuller has been charged with threats and intimidation and he also will be charged with disorderly conduct.

For the record, Humphries is the head of the Tucson Tea Party. Fox News elaborated on this breaking story moments ago (h/t Mediaite):

GREGG JARRETT, FOX NEWS: We are getting word now from Pima County Sheriff's office confirming to Fox News that one of the Tucson shooting victims a week ago today has allegedly today uttered a death threat during a taping of a town hall meeting for ABC’s "This Week" that will air tomorrow. Now, toward the end of the town hall meeting today, it was this morning, one of the shooting victims, his name is J. Eric Fuller, apparently took exception to comments by two of the speakers, Arizona state Representative Terri Proud, a Republican, and Tucson Tea Party spokesman Trent Humphries. And according to sheriff's deputies at the scene, Fuller took a photo of Humphries, again, the Tea Party spokesman, and said, “You are dead.” Fuller will and has apparently already been charged with a couple of things, threats and intimidation and disorderly conduct.

Again, one of the survivors of the shooting a week ago is being charged now with uttering death threats and apparently it was either caught on tape or certainly seen by a crowd that included dignitaries at this town hall meeting being conducted. This is -- all right, this is J. Eric Fuller who was one of the many people who were shot a week ago recovering from his injuries attending this town hall meeting with dignitaries there, as well as just citizens, witnesses to the shooting, as well as those who were affected by it, as well as first responders. A town hall meeting. Picks up a picture of Terry Humphries, a spokesperson for the local Tea Party group in Tucson, and says, "You're dead." Now, under the law, according to law enforcement there, that constitutes a crime, a crimes of threat and intimidation, disorderly conduct for which he has now been charged.

So, we'll continue to follow the events as they occurred today, and we'll update you as we get further information.

It will be very interesting to see whether this ends up being part of Sunday's program or gets omitted.

When ABC's Pierre Thomas interviewed a friend of shooter Jared Lee Loughner's during last Sunday's "This Week," her opinion about the assailant being a liberal was completely ignored.

Stay tuned.

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Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Click here to follow Noel Sheppard on Twitter.

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Comments

→ Just . . . WOW!

Submitted by Cool Arrow on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 7:42pm.

What can I say?

no kidding

Submitted by jon_torlin on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 7:44pm.

I was wondering when something like this might occur. I was wondering how many of the people that were there at the shooting might believe the crap that the LSM was putting out blaming the right. I hope this is the only one.

Can we blame the left for this? I would. Schultzie comes to mind, as well as Krugman and others. Or would that be too uncivil?

-Jon

Of course we can't blame

Submitted by Seashell on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:00pm.

Of course we can't blame the left. This was obviously a direct result of Sarah's speech. \sarc

Ditto Wow!

Submitted by MaximusBraveheart on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:09pm.

LSM at fault! Wonder if they will take the responsibilty? (NOT!) AND they absolutely were appauled and/or laughed at Sarah Palin when she said it is blood libel to wrongly pin this event on her and the TEA Party.

-- Maximusbraveheart -- Is TRUTH knowable? Moral Relativism is the abandonment of Truth. Truth is knowable. Truth conforms to Reality. Reality is observable by evidence & witness in this day & from history. Relativism is Sesame Street play land.

CA

Submitted by well99 on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 9:17pm.

Mediaite has a audio of him talking to Democracy Now.About 2:56 he brings up Beck,Palin and more.

Eric Fuller’s previous comments on Beck, Palin, and the Tea Party below

http://www.mediaite.com/online/az-shooting-victim-arrested-for-death-thr...

Youtube video too

Submitted by Denny Crane on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 11:04pm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6avTjz1hunM

This has been used by lefties lately too. Trying to use the victim card.

They post this and say, "comeon all you right wingers, lets see you attack the victim."

Be on the lookout for random acts of journalism from the MSM~h/t Rush

We Are The 53%

→ OK I'll try again

Submitted by Cool Arrow on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 7:43pm.

This man is a victim of the hateful rhetoric spewing from the LEFT. There can be no doubt as to why he has focused his hatred on the Tea Party.

My thought also CA

Submitted by Boudin on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:53pm.

The media got their desired result, now the dufuses on the Right need to point THAT out!

I wonder if this guy was at the "Memorial"? I bet the rhetoric was pretty hot there, amongst the "special people"

Seek Truth, Defend Liberty

Ooops....

Submitted by Blonde on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 7:44pm.

That play wasn't in the liberal play book.

Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)

→ False Start

Submitted by Cool Arrow on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 7:46pm.

We have offsetting penalties.

Unnecessary Rhetoric on the Offense, and being a Tea Partier on the Defense.

They say we are motivated by.............

Submitted by BEGRUNT on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 7:56pm.

heatred rhetoric........What's this clowns excuse?? Here is someone who REALLY WAS influenced by the hate speech from the left. Time for the LSM spin machine to go into overdrive.

"A nation can suffer it's fool's, but cannot survive the traitor"

Cicero

WOW.......I guess Zero's.............

Submitted by BEGRUNT on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 7:49pm.

I guess Zero's smooth oratory skills didn't rub off on this jerk, huh? But it is US that foment violence and death. I really wonder how the LSM is going to cover this one??? Who's "violent rhetoric" led this clown to do such a thing? LSM.....we are all waiting!!!

Edit: I wonder how Sheriff Dipstick is going to spin this one?

"A nation can suffer it's fool's, but cannot survive the traitor"

Cicero

Noel

Submitted by ricklail on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 7:49pm.

How much do you want to bet there is nothing said about this incident? It will wind up being edited out.

A well regulated militia being necessary to a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

Ya rick.....it will be...................

Submitted by BEGRUNT on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 7:54pm.

on page A-35 in the NYT, about 2 sentences......"man makes threat at event"....or some such BS.

"A nation can suffer it's fool's, but cannot survive the traitor"

Cicero

How about....

Submitted by jon_torlin on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 7:57pm.

"Man escorted from event for minor disturbance" and that's all they'll say about it?

I wonder how many more incidents like this will occur?

-Jon

Of course. Any conservative

Submitted by Newsbusterbrown on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:36pm.

Of course. Any conservative that brings it up will be told that he or she just wants to insert themselves into the story or that they are being defensive. Easy, huh?

“There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)

rick, Edited out Hell

Submitted by Dave. on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:43pm.

This Gomer will probably be in the federal Witness Protection Program by Monday morning, thus disappearing like Houdini, and every last trace of his prior existence will mysteriously vanish.

-Dave

Vote for the American in November

→ Hey Markos!

Submitted by Cool Arrow on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 7:56pm.

Congratulations Markos. Mission accomplished!

Let me get this right

Submitted by Alvin691 on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 7:58pm.

He's sedated, but writes down the entire Declaration of Independence. And and entire statement ranting on conservatives? The exact statement liberals made who didn't know who the killer was? He also stated that that Tayler was dead, which he could not know about since he was taken to the hospital. UNLESS he was watching the news and was not sedated as he claims.

Remember, Democracy NOW! Is similar the acorns. All the NOW! Groups started back during the Clinton years.

They're Coming Out Of The Woodwork Now

Submitted by stratman on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:01pm.

Ex-candidate charged with making threats in Ind.

AP took till the 13th paragraph before identifying the disturbed woman as Republican. There are 14 so-called paragraphs in the story.

Seems the authorites in Indiana were actually monitoring the woman for a while due to her behavior.

Remember he's a victim, PTSD

Submitted by Dan Diego on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:01pm.

Remember he's a victim, PTSD defense and he's a victim twice over.

PTSD?

Submitted by Huapakechi on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:08pm.

So we should overlook the rabid liberal component of his behavior and focus instead on his being a (perpetual liberal) victim?

Nobody handed me a crying towel in 1970 or 1971, and a few hundred thousand GIs along with me didn't threaten to kill someone for speaking, although we had enough provocation.

Well, as of 7:00pm EST....

Submitted by Forbus on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:05pm.

nothing on the ABC or CNN websites. CBS has a story listed underneath the unrest in Tunisia. The media has covered every detail of this story for a week...practically wallowed in it...but one of the shooting victims being arrested for threats doesn't seem to excite them.

Can you imagine if a Tea Party supporter had threatened anyone connected with this tragedy?

No doubt

Submitted by GregE on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:21pm.

"Can you imagine if a Tea Party supporter had threatened anyone connected with this tragedy?"

I dont' know what's more amazing (and sad)......1) that the media would absolutely be beside themselves with glee to be able to report such a thing, or 2) that it's so easily predictable that that would be the case.

ScreenCap this

Submitted by Cool Arrow on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:12pm.

Turns out this Eric Fuller has an axe to grind. As seen here.

Soon to be scrubbed?

Dipstick holds some

Submitted by Seashell on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:23pm.

Dipstick holds some responsibility IMO for running his mouth and starting the blame game with no facts to back it up.

Yeah, and I'll bet Atty. Gen. Roland Freisler over at the...

Submitted by Dave. on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:31pm.

Obamafuhrer's Ministry of "Justice," being ever the good lackey, is probably at this very minute frantically trying to find some way to not prosecute this goober.

You just watch.

-Dave

Vote for the American in November

This has to be

Submitted by NDanielson on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:31pm.

wrong, right? He's not making threats against a tea partier is he? He is a tea partier, right? Right?!

This action validates what liberals have been saying!

Submitted by Kingfish17 on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:31pm.

This incident validates everything the left has been saying about the Tea Party all along! The mere presence of a Tea Party member caused mild mannered Eric Fuller to go into an insane rage and threaten the lives of those around him!

The Tea Party is dangerous and should be outlawed.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas...on the taxpayer’s dime." Barack Obama

Not only will it not be ommitted...

Submitted by gopcongress on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:35pm.

...It will let the media show how the influence of the mean, despicable tea party has led to such heinous situations that one of the survivors felt he had to respond in the only way he knew... with Kos-like threats.

"The news and truth are not the same thing." -Walter Lippmann (1889-1974) FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER

Huffpost comments:

Submitted by Kevpot on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:37pm.

Well, over at the HuffingtonPost the commentors are all upset that the media 'ambushed' this poor guy who is suffering from Post Traumatic Syndrome and he should be given a pass. Also lots of hand wringing that when a conservative makes heated rhetoric (that led to this tragedy, so they claim) nothing happens but when a liberal does it they get arrested. Expect them to play the PTS card heavily.

How long before...

Submitted by Forbus on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:45pm.

Sheriff Dupnik blames Rush?

Um

Submitted by Denny Crane on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 11:09pm.

2 days ago

Be on the lookout for random acts of journalism from the MSM~h/t Rush

We Are The 53%

A video with Fuller

Submitted by well99 on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:51pm.

Audio of Eric Fuller’s previous comments on Beck, Palin, and the Tea Party below

http://www.mediaite.com/online/az-shooting-victim-arrested-for-death-thr...

How incredibly ironically

Submitted by ex buff e-dub on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:52pm.

How incredibly ironically ironical !

That was really an 'un-civil'

Submitted by killa37 on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 8:59pm.

That was really an 'un-civil' thing to say!!!!!

So what exactly were the Tea

Submitted by Slyrr on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 9:03pm.

So what exactly were the Tea Party' guy's comments - the ones this guy 'took issue' with to the point that he made a death threat? That'll be interesting to hear.....

If a Liberal/Democrat politician/media figure wants to put their arms around you, or pat you on the back, all they're doing is looking for a good place to stick a knife.

Nothing justifies his death

Submitted by robert108 on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 9:52pm.

Nothing justifies his death threat over speech.

I think

Submitted by Rukus on Sun, 01/16/2011 - 1:10pm.

it was something about waiting for all the funerals to be over before rushing to the gun control debate. I think.

_____________________________________________________________ I'm not too drunk to dance! It's just that people keep stepping on my hands!

Tonight's ABC News

Submitted by S2 on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 9:05pm.

ABC News whitewashed this incident. They reported an arrest but said nothing about the exchange being a death threat. I do not recall them saying anything about the man. There was no mention of a Tea Party representive even being present, let alone having his life threatened. I guess this one just doesn't fit the MSM narrative.