Rep. Russ Carnahan reports that his campaign office was firebombed and a suspect is in custody. Uncool.
Police have arrested a 50-year-old man in connection with what appears to be a firebombing that caused minor damage at the campaign headquarters of U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis.
Firefighters responded after witnesses called about hearing broken glass and later smelling smoke at the office in the 7000 block of Chippewa Street in south St. Louis.
Carnahan’s Republican contender condemned the attack. Excerpt from a press release:
“I was disheartened to hear reports tonight of a suspected arson attack at Congressman Carnahan’s campaign headquarters. While there is obviously a lot of angst and frustration among voters – violence is never the answer! We must all work together to establish a peaceful and prosperous political process. I’m glad to learn police already have a suspect in custody,” said congressional candidate Ed Martin.
The daily reports that a motive is not clear at this time. I’d like to hear what was. A sad story.
Sidenote: I take issue with this in Jake Wagman’s reporting:
Carnahan is weathering a tumultuous political environment. A year ago, several people were arrested at a Carnahan town hall forum after a fracas broke out between protesters and Carnahan supporters.
No. Protesters were harassed by people who identified themselves as Carnahan volunteers and people not even of the 3rd district, OFA bussed people in who were loud and disruptive at the meeting (I know, because they assumed me and the veteran who attended the townhall with me were with OFA and snuck us through the side door), and Carnahan supporters attacked a man they profiled as being a conservative. I and others have endless video and photographic footage of the evening. The “fracas” came from Carnahan supporters and there isn’t a police report or eyewitness that has stated otherwise. To report otherwise is disingenuous and the omission of the above implies that those targeted at the townhall contributed to the “fracas” and whether Wagman intended it or not, further implies that the “fracas” could be linked to the firebombing and that the perpetrator could be a tea partier. Also not cool.
thedanashow.wordpress.com 