My name is Jonathan and today seems like a good day to die"
—Greenwood Mall Shooter
July 19, 2022
This kid's quote sparks more questions than we have room to print. To start off with, he posted photos of himself wearing an ammo vest and mask, holding a pistol to his head. Did no one see this? Do these kinds of actions not indicate an issue with guns and a penchant for violence? Were there no friends, or family members who were concerned about his obvious propensity toward guns and killing?
I doubt very much his family wasn't aware of his problems. I am sure friends of this guy wondered if he would really do what he acted like he was going to do, and now they are having "I told you so" conversations. But still, we wonder, are his photos and posts enough evidence to go to the police? I guess it depends on who you ask. Let's ask Pedro Pineda and his wife Rosa or Victor Gomez. Let's ask them. Oh, he killed them, so I guess we can't get their viewpoints.
First of all, he was posting on 4chan, a site that is popular among extremists and violent actors. It is a site where one can easily distribute graphic images, spew hate, and make violent threats. Apparently, for those who align with mass shooters, it's also the place to announce an attack. Whether it's Facebook or 4chan, people post pictures and messages for their friends to see. Undoubtedly there were others who had an idea of what he was planning.
People shake their heads, "how could this happen?" Well it's happening quite a lot for us not to know the reasons. I'm not a doctor, so I won't label the shooter insane in print, but I am a father and I would know if one of my boys had a streak of violence in him. And, I would react. I didn't know this kid, but either he had some very bad things happen to him that left him scarred, or he was tragically mentally unbalanced. Either way, he should have received help or have been confined. He certainly should not have had weapons and ammunition.
I know, and you know, that SOMEBODY knew, but they did nothing. I pray God will forgive them, because they have blood on their hands.
Jim
