It’s not a hate crime. All crimes are hateful. This is a pure terrorist threat and they need to catch the whack job who is pulling this psychotic stunt. I will be praying for the safety of the people going into the establishments named. Image of the Letter after the jump. Hat Tip: Dan Savage (Gay Blogger)
11 gay bars get letters threatening ricin attacks
Eleven gay bars in Seattle were sent letters Tuesday threatening ricin attacks — in what some are describing as a hate crime. The Seattle Police Department said it takes the threat seriously. The department has seized the letters and is processing them, and is coordinating efforts with the FBI and other federal agencies.
By Nick Perry
Seattle Times staff reporter
Eleven gay bars in Seattle were sent letters Tuesday threatening ricin attacks — in what some are describing as a hate crime.
The anonymous letters say, “I have in my possession approximately 67 grams of ricin with which I will indiscriminately target at least five of your clients. … I expect them to die painfully while in hospital.”
A 12th letter was sent to the alternative weekly The Stranger, according to its Web site. That letter says the paper should be “prepared to announce the deaths of approximately 55 individuals.”
The letter lists the bars as: The Elite, Neighbours, The Wildrose Bar, The Cuff, Purr, The Seattle Eagle, R Place, Re-bar, C.C.Attle’s, Madison Pub and The Crescent. The letter implies the attacks will take place one Saturday this month.
In a statement, the Seattle Police Department said it takes the threat seriously. It has seized the letters and is processing them and is coordinating efforts with the FBI and other federal agencies.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says ricin is a poison found naturally in castor beans that can be deadly if purified and then ingested or inhaled.
[From Local News | 11 gay bars get letters threatening ricin attacks | Seattle Times Newspaper]
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I know. I was on my way to work this morning and the Lord brought to my heart to pray for the person that is involved in this act. I guess I relate to the men and women lost in the bars that I forget about the person involved. I began to think about this person and wonder what would make this person respond in such hatred. Who knows maybe a loved one just died of aids or maybe a relationship ended because of a poor decision. I'm not justifiying the actions by no means, this kind of act should not to tolerated. I just try to remember in my heart that Christ died for all including this person.
If you hear anymore about this person, I would love to read about it on your blog.
man, I thought it deleted the first post. Oh well..
I can delete it. Are you logging into Disqus to comment? If you are registered and logged in they automatically post.
Nope, I was at my parents house so I jumped online to surf with my nieces computer not mine. Does that make a difference??
No. You can be on any computer you want. The difference is whether you are logged into Disqus or not.