Police say teen confessed to Indiana sniper attacks

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Quigley_Sharps, Jul 29, 2006.


  1. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    [​IMG]

    BROWNSTOWN, Ind. - A teenager who confessed to a series of highway shootings that killed a man in southern Indiana had been on a hunting trip with relatives but got into an argument and drove off in anger shortly before the attacks, a prosecutor said Wednesday.
    Zachariah Blanton, 17, appeared at a brief court hearing Wednesday morning where a judge set a Dec. 13 date for his trial on charges of murder, attempted murder and criminal recklessness.
    Blanton starred at the sidewalk as officers led him into the Jackson County Courthouse. He did not enter a plea.
    Police believe that after the hunting trip argument, Blanton drove to a nearby overpass outside Seymour early Sunday, aimed his rifle over the trunk of his vehicle and began shooting at trucks on Interstate 65 about 60 miles south of Indianapolis.
    One bullet killed a passenger in a pickup and another wounded a man. Two hours later, a tractor-trailer and unoccupied sport utility vehicle were hit by bullets about 100 miles to the north, close to the teenager's hometown of Gaston.
    "He said he in fact did do the shootings, however, only with the intention of relieving pressure," John Kelly, an Indiana State Police crime scene technician, testified Tuesday during a probable cause hearing.
    The teen apparently had been arguing with relatives over gutting a deer during a hunting trip about 20 miles south of Seymour, Jackson County Prosecutor Stephen Pierson said.
    When investigators questioned him Tuesday after receiving a tip that he might have been involved, his demeanor was "cooperative, it was remorseful," said Sheriff George Sheridan Jr. of Delaware County, where the second set of shootings occurred.
    Blanton came to the attention of investigators on Monday after an acquaintance told a Delaware County reserve deputy that the teen might be involved in the shootings, State Police Superintendent Paul Whitesell said.
    Pierson said police had recovered a rifle they believed was used in the shooting death of Jerry L. Ross, 40, of New Albany.
    Blanton had previous brushes with the law for what Sheridan would describe only as "crimes of sex and of theft."
    A message seeking comment from Blanton's grandparents, who police said were his legal guardians, was not returned. On the teen's Internet page on MySpace.com, he listed his interests as "Huntin, Fishin, Muddin and goin out with friends."
    Blanton's great-aunt Denise Blanton told The Star Press of Muncie that she was shocked by the allegations.
    "I can't imagine that he would be involved," she said.
    Kenneth Shipley, 59, a family friend who lives in Gaston, said he was also surprised. "This isn't the Zach I knew," he said. "I took this real hard. Zach just needed some attention, someone to talk to."
     
  2. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    he is going to spend the rest of his life getting ass sniped now:eek:
     
  3. sniper-66

    sniper-66 Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    "he just needed attention" and "he just needed to relieve some pressure" Like you said Quig, now he is going to have some prison daddy give him all the attention he ever wanted, however, he will probably feel a little more pressure than before!
     
  4. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    :lol: yup i think so.
     
  5. Infidel

    Infidel Guest

  6. TailorMadeHell

    TailorMadeHell Lurking Shadow Creature

    Let's see if I can put this into perspective using my own temperment and mindset.

    I live in an expensive town, ugh that one. I live in a small room, that's two. I can't stand idiots, that's a lot. I can't stand pot smoke and all of my neighbors seem to be pot heads, that's a lot more. I don't like fanatics, that's a very big number of people. I don't like people who endanger children or abuse them, that's a growing crowd. I don't like liars, thieves, biggots, most politicians, enemies of freedom, users, abusers of the elderly, disrepectful people. That's a massive amount of people that exist through this world. Now if I add up each bit of 'angry' that each of those people brings me, I'd be one helluva mad guy. Now if I decided to relieve that 'anger' or 'stress' and killed one person for each bit until I felt better that would seriously cut down on the population of the world. Now imagine that if everyone that felt as I do did the same thing. I don't think anyone would remain alive except the last angry guy.

    Then that guy would surely be so mad at himself that he would have to deal with himself and bingo, no more people. If he needed stress relief, I would have suggested a GYM for him. He looks like he could stand to lose quite a few pounds. Then again, where he is I'm sure that cushion is going to help him out some. After all, it's not fun hurting yourself on a pile of bones. Not to be crude though he should enjoy every moment of it. I'm sure for his little bang he's sure to get a lot of bang. What do they say? More bang for your buck. Hahahaha.

    Just think however. There are more of these kids out there. They don't need psychiatrists. They need a good behind-the-shed trip. Great stress relievers: Count to Ten, Get Over It, Workout, or even some alone time with your closest hand. I bet if you asked this smuck why he did it, first thing out of his mouth would be 'I don't know.'

    This is unacceptable in the biggest way. They'll most likely have him out in less than six years with good behavior and a promise that he seek 'treatment'. I could rant all day, though I'll stop here. :mad:
     
survivalmonkey SSL seal        survivalmonkey.com warrant canary
17282WuJHksJ9798f34razfKbPATqTq9E7