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Originally posted by callibird:
Man loads AR-15 inside pawn shop

Dude looks like Steven Tyler's love child....

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) —
A man accused of opening fire at a Ladson pawn shop with an AR-15 rifle told a judge that his actions "were in poor choice."

Gregory Franklin Westfall, of Boise, Idaho, faces two counts of attempted murder, armed robbery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in connection to the Tuesday afternoon shooting at Big Buck's Pawn Shop on 113 College Park Road.

He was denied bond Wednesday night.

"My actions were poor in choice," Westfall said in court. "However, due to the circumstances of my life and the abuse that has been struck against me, I do rise in protest and I rise in violent protest."

An affidavit states that Westfall planned the shooting with "the intent of causing social change."

Authorities also released surveillance video of the incident that shows the shooting at the pawn shop where Westfall entered the store and asked to see an AR-15 rifle.

According to officials with the sheriff's office, while inspecting the rifle, the suspect took out a loaded magazine that he had on him and inserted it into the rifle.

"He then began to shoot into the store and at two of the employees inside of the store," deputies said.

The owner of the pawn shop said the suspect fired inside and outside the business, but thankfully, no one was injured.

A report said a store employee returned fire from his own firearm as Westfall ran out of the store.

Neighbors nearby said they heard at least 15 shots during the incident.

"I heard a bunch of gun shots," Kevin Gause who lives across the street said. "It seemed like it was World War II going on out here."

The video shows one of the employees looking out of the window and jumping to the floor after shots hit one of the store's windows.

Responding deputies said they eventually located Westfall in a wooded area behind the store.

"Then, all of the sudden, we see some guy come running through," Gause said. "I saw the police and they tackled him over by the trailer, put him in handcuffs and put him in the car."

According to deputies, Westfall was still carrying the AR-15 and was wearing ballistic armor when deputies found him.

Sheriff Lewis said citizens did a good job of relaying information to dispatch crews regarding Westfall's description and where he was running to, which he said helped deputies find him.

When detectives interviewed Westfall, he made several statements regarding 9/11 and that "the Russians" were sending him messages, according to a police report.

"He did make some statements to our detectives as he was being interviewed initially that the Russians had planted something inside of his head and he was trying to avenge that," Sheriff Lewis said.

Westfall left behind his Dodge Ram pickup truck and a book bag, investigators said.

The Charleston County Bomb Squad was called to assist with clearing the contents of the truck and book-bag.

"Due to the nature of the incident and the things that Westfall was saying during the interview, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives was called in for assistance, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigations," BCSO officials said.

The Sheriff's office officials said Westfall had recently just moved to the Charleston area.

Westfall remains in custody at the Hill Finklea Detention Center.

There were no injuries reported.

"We are thankful that nobody was injured during this incident," Sheriff Lewis said. "Thankfully, citizens provided 911 with good information as the suspect tried to escape the area on foot. The assistance of our local and federal partners is also appreciated. We called them for some of their technical expertise and resources."

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Originally posted by sigmonkey:
Certainly premeditated.

And a boatload of crazy.

https://www.facebook.com/searc...yword/stories-public

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According to officials with the sheriff's office, while inspecting the rifle, the suspect took out a loaded magazine that he had on him and inserted it into the rifle.

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It would be simple to remove firing pin put in envelope with serial number and store elsewhere. Give firing pin to buyer without instructions upon sale. If buyer can field strip he can shoot his new firearm.

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"My actions were poor in choice," Westfall said in court. "However, due to the circumstances of my life and the abuse that has been struck against me, I do rise in protest and I rise in violent protest."

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Originally posted by a1abdj:

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It would be simple to remove firing pin put in envelope with serial number and store elsewhere. Give firing pin to buyer without instructions upon sale. If buyer can field strip he can shoot his new firearm.

I have never been to a gun shop, pawn shop, gun show, or any other gun retailers who disable what they display.

What happened in that video is a thought I have had before. What if somebody comes in to look at a gun, loads it themselves, and then uses it to rob you?

There's not a whole lot you could do to prevent it really.

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Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
It would be simple to remove firing pin put in envelope with serial number and store elsewhere. Give firing pin to buyer without instructions upon sale. If buyer can field strip he can shoot his new firearm.

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Originally posted by a1abdj:
What happened in that video is a thought I have had before. What if somebody comes in to look at a gun, loads it themselves, and then uses it to rob you?

There's not a whole lot you could do to prevent it really.

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They pull out a loaded mag, and you pull your sidearm. If they insert the mag then you shoot to stop the threat.

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Originally posted by a1abdj:

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They pull out a loaded mag, and you pull your sidearm. If they insert the mag then you shoot to stop the threat.

That's almost what happened here, but we see the difference between thinking about it and actually doing it. The guy at the pawn shop had plenty of opportunity but waited too long.

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Originally posted by callibird:
"He did make some statements to our detectives as he was being interviewed initially that the Russians had planted something inside of his head and he was trying to avenge that," Sheriff Lewis said.

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Agreed that the pawn shop employee certainly had plenty of opportunity to draw.

30 seconds in between the time:
he pulls something out of the chamber and makes first reach for his mag
he inserts the mag

He should've been receiving instructions looking down the barrel of a gun w/ a chambered round during the above 30 seconds not getting finger waiving. The clerk was not outgunned at this point.

Another 1 min 10 seconds between:
he inserts the mag
he chambers the round

He should've been ventilated during this 1 min 10 seconds.