On Saturday Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said that the state has “become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry.” While addressing Saturdays shooting of Rep Giffords, he said he believes the congresswoman was the target and that suspect Jared Loughner (22) likely did not act alone.
“When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous,” said the sheriff. “And unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry.”
When asked by a reporter if Giffords being shot could have been motivated by “prejudice and bigotry,” Dupnik responded, “All I can tell you is that there’s reason to believe is that this individual may have a mental issue. And I think that people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol.”
“And that’s the sad thing of what’s going on in America,” Dupnik explained. “Pretty soon, we’re not going to be able to find reasonable, decent people who are willing to subject themselves to serve in public office.”
