Man Says He Felt ‘Compelled’ To Open Fire in AZ Strip Club
- Posted on December 29, 2010 at 7:54am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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PHOENIX (AP) — A man accused of opening fire in a Phoenix strip club, killing two people and injuring three others, told police that he had planned the crime and chose the victims at random, according to a court document released Tuesday.
Gavin MacFarlane, 28, of Scottsdale, is accused of shooting four people with a .38-caliber revolver and physically attacking a fifth person at the Great Alaskan Bush Company shortly before midnight Sunday. Patrons tackled and beat him after he ran out of ammunition.
MacFarlane’s mug shot shows him with a torn shirt; a bloody nose, chin, and forehead; and the beginning of two black eyes. MacFarlane has been jailed on a $2 million cash bond, and it was unclear whether he has a lawyer.
In the Maricopa County Superior Court document released Tuesday, Phoenix police wrote that MacFarlane had been a previous patron of the club and that he told investigators he planned the attack.
“Gavin stated that he had brought the weapon with him as part of a plan he had formulated in his mind,” police wrote. “He admitted entering the club and remaining there for a period of time as a patron. He then said he reached a point where he made the decision to go out to the parking lot and obtain his weapon from his vehicle, then return to the club with the intention of shooting the first people he came in contact with.”
Police wrote that MacFarlane said he knew what he did was wrong, “but stated he felt compelled to commit this offense.”
“He said the victims were not specifically targeted, but rather were randomly targeted,” police wrote. “He stated he stopped shooting because he ran out of ammunition and added that the may have continued to shoot additional people had he possessed more ammunition.”
Troy Cooley, 34, a security guard at the west Phoenix club, was shot and killed. A club patron, Antonio Garcia, 20, also died. A 22-year-old man and a 20-year-old topless dancer were wounded. MacFarlane hit a fifth man in the face with his gun and punched him when he ran out of bullets, police said.
Amanda Holland, a dancer at the club, told KTVK-TV that the gunmen told another dancer “you’re next” but Cooley stood in front of the woman, taking the bullet that was meant for her.
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Comments (59)
TRUSTNO MAN
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:58am“sergio q”
Report Post »ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
Sgt.Crust
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:33amBetter get your guns and ammonow, if you don’t have any, the next step is to ban them here. They may have a tougher time now with the 112th coming in, but they can still try!
My prayers go to the dead and injured.
Report Post »TRUSTNO MAN
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:59amDreamers need not apply.
sucker!
Report Post »loweralabama
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:31amJSH1284.. Have owned a ranch rifle for years… its a real nail driver… I recommend a collection of 30 round clips… its one of the most reliable rifles you can buy….
Report Post »Sergio Q
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:18am“The Great Alaskin Bush Co.” …ya gotta love that name !!!!
Report Post »stmike
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 11:09amUm yeah but isn’t the thing these days being completely shaved? I‘m not sayin I’m just sayin….. ok time to support bat doctors without borders now.
Report Post »The Libertarian Atheist
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:11amI obtained my CWP this year for the first time. I suggest you get yours while you still can.
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:04amTroy Cooley – God’s mercy. Hero. He stood so someone else could live. Now, what does she do with her extended time?
Report Post »biggreenboo
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 11:30amDance!!!!!!!
Report Post »rbqueen
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:52amHe should have been like some of these other wackos that does this stuff. He should have saved the last bullet for himself. Saved us all some money.
Report Post »Sergio Q
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:34amSo very true!!
Report Post »TRUSTNO MAN
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:47amWhen you hang out where evil dwells……….don’t come cryin when the devil tries to collect his cover charge!
Report Post »“Humans is the craziest people!”- B. Bunny
Sergio Q
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:32amwhat an idiotic comment , ya outta be slapped for that!
Report Post »FoxholeAtheist
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 5:38pmYou’re sick. True evil is speaking lies from a pulpit, or national radio show while you try to explain to poor people why they should give you 10% of their income.
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:32amI’ve felt compelled to do many things in a strip club but have been able to management my lusts. BTW. ladies…….. let me tell you about my lusts. Big time handsome stud puppy here. Very experienced with both conservative and liberal women. You conservative woman got to try some more liberal activities in the bedroom. I am your man. Hit me up baby. You know you want to.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:19amI bet his momma is proud of him.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:12amNow the jury and judge should feel compelled to give him life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Report Post »N37BU6
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:03amA strip club named “The Great Alaskan Bush Company”?
Oh, man…
Report Post »Xcori8r
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:28amThey must have a thing for Eskimo women down there
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 12:41pmit does have a nice ring to it
Report Post »curby_13
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 3:02pmThe first Great Alaskan Bush Company was opened in Anchorage. Then the owneers came down to Phoenix and opened this location Years ago. The current owner bought the club in 1997. It is a really nice club. You walk in the front entrance and there is a stuffed grizzly welcoming you. One side of the club is fully nude and the other half is topless and serves alcohol. I love that you can get access to 2 different clubs in a sense for one price.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 7:00pmI would like to check that out one day lol
Report Post »N37BU6
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 10:27amI’m guessing there are rules on how much “trimming” one can do.
Report Post »N37BU6
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:59amIf he didn’t have a gun, he’d just make a bomb out of materials we all have under our kitchen sinks…
Can’t stop psychos from killing people. It just isn’t gonna happen.
Report Post »taskmaster78
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:54amI feel the ad for the injury lawyer is in bad taste for a sponsor.
Report Post »AWatchman4Him
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:50amStrip club Czar !
Report Post »WILLIAM E.
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:44amGood thing we have gun laws. Just think if half the people in there had guns.
Report Post »Kurty C Wipe
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:40amAll this because of a hair in his drink? Nut job loser, have fun staying at Sherriff Joes 5 star.
Report Post »ConsChristian
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:15amIt would be odd if it was a regular hair, but remember, this was a strip bar.
Report Post »Sergio Q
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:28am@ Conschristian;
Report Post »W.T.F. does it matter if it was a StripClub?? ,would it be better if it had been a shopping mall , church , fast food restaurant , school or office building????????
ConsChristian
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 12:19pmSergio, you big dummy, I was making a joke about the type of “hair” in the guy’s drink. Next time, please read the entire comment before you freak out.
Report Post »AWatchman4Him
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:33amPeople have lost there minds, its sad that this younger generation has no idea how to cope with everyday life, no thanks to our public education system. The schools are so concerned with our kids thoughts and feelings that they don’t know what the heck to do, you can see how well that’s working out. If you take God out of America, God will take America out !
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:27amHow long before they say he was a regular listener of Glenn Beck? Anybody….? Anybody?
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:47amYou wont hear a thing if Media Matters is all over his computer…….I would bet this is over some girl he had a thing for. Thinking with the little head
Report Post »charles48
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:27amtony garica is my best friends cousin i knew him may he rest in peace and may god have mercy on the gunmans soul so devestating such a great kid
Report Post »BeckIsNuts
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:26amI’m surprised none of the patrons were armed. Too bad.
Report Post »guyperram
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:17amMr Cooley, the security guard died a hero. It is a shame that nobody else was armed. They could have saved the taxpayers a lot of money eliminating the scumbag perp.
Report Post »Bluefish49
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:17amDamn…I‘m surprised that someone hasn’t said he probably came from a broken home or has been unemployed for awhile and was just lashing out. Come on you glass half full left wing nut cases….don’t let me down!
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:17amGod bless Troy Cooley. Few would have done what he did to save another life (wonder if he is ex-military?). Prayers go out to family and friends of those killed and wounded.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:04amSame here Grandmaof5, I hope and pray the best for the two men’s families in the days ahead.
This is the case of a lunatic that just decided to try a ‘death by cop’ suicide, and did not have the guts to even go that far. I live in AZ and still cannot figure out why this cretan is being set any price for bail instead of being held without bail of any amount?
Report Post »Jsh1284
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:15amThe dancer who said the bouncer stood in front of the woman and took the bullet .. is she lying? That would have been a very noble act, but the report says the bouncer was shot outside the building.
Either way, this is sick all-around.
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:35amFirst and foremost, my thoughts and prayers for those who have lost a loved one in this tragic situation. Saying that, I’m sure you will hear the anti-gun people come out wanting to enact more gun laws, etc. This is NOT a case where gun laws failed, this is a case where a mentally challenged person lost it. It looks like all the other patrons were following existing laws which prohibit guns in establishments where liquor is served or the owner of said establishment posts a sign stating no guns allowed. Once again those who follow the laws are the ones who suffer. This could have easily happened by a moron with a knife, screwdriver, etc. I have to agree with a previous post, too bad there wasn’t another person there with a weapon to take this guy out and save everyone more aggravation.
Report Post »ConsChristian
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:43amThanks JSH1284 for asking that question. I was wondering the same thing.
Report Post »Wiz001
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:49amWhy would she lie about that?. That gaurds family should be honored and be taken care of for life.. I install flooring for one of the best and biggest clubs here in Glendal Az. they will not allow me to have my side arm when working (mostly before opening) in there but most of them are armed. I am reminded of what a Great American said one time “ an armed society is a polite society”. I have adopted that attitude now..
Prayers will go out to the wonded and especially to the guards family.
And a Big thank you the the patrons who stopped this idiot!!
God Bless Our Troops
Report Post »Major Infidel
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:22amThis is why I’m armed at ALL times, no matter where I’m at. If they have metal detectors, I don’t go in, unless it’s life or death.
Patriots, always keep in mind the 5 second rule and the 25 step rule.
- Never be further than 5 seconds away from your pistol. Never.
- By the time you can draw your pistol, an attacker can close 25 steps in on you.
Cubber says it best, BE PREPARED!
Report Post »Practice makes perfect.
Jsh1284
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:48amWiz, I’m just saying .. the report said he was outside. IF the man did protect the .. dancer .. then his family SHOULD be honored. I just wonder if the woman who made this claim was just saying this, though. If this is true, that was a very noble and courageous act.
About guns .. I am a very strong advocate of the 2nd amendment and lifetime member of the NRA. I carry a pistol on my belt or ankle daily .. and there’s always one in my EDC bag as well as a backup/truck weapon. I would have been armed if I were there. IF I would have been there (wouldn’t get caught dead in one of those places) that guy would have gotten maybe two shots off before I took him down. Assuming I had a clear shot of course.
This will definitely stir the Brady’s up. However the real argument here is WHAT IF someone had a handgun while in that establishment? That would have saved lives! Don’t take guns AWAY! Arm and educate good people so that incidents like this can be prevented or minimized in the future!
Report Post »Jsh1284
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:53amOh, and I’m going to be the proud owner of a new Mini-14 ranch rifle later today! =)
Report Post »curby_13
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 3:07pmActually I believe this because although I haven’t been there in years the dancers would go out front to talk to the bouncers and also to give thenm their payouts. The dancers have to give all the bouncers, DJ, and the club a cut of their money form the night.
Report Post »Jsh1284
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 7:26pmThat makes sense, Curby .. I can buy that! So a hero he is!
Oh, and I got my new Mini-14 Ranch Rifle – Target edition! =) SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED!
Report Post »*************************
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 3:57amA strip club?
What kind of people are is a strip club?
What kind of crimes are they committing in a strip club?
What would God think?
What would God do to a those unrighteous in a strip club?
What would God do to those unrighteous in His own house?
“So Joab fled to the tabernacle of the LORD, and took hold of the horns of the altar.
“And King Solomon was told, ‘Joab has fled to the tabernacle of the LORD; there he is, by the altar.’
“Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, ‘Go, strike him down.’
“So Benaiah went to the tabernacle of the LORD, and said to him, ‘Thus says the king, Come out!’
“And he said, ‘No, but I will die here.’
”And Benaiah brought back word to the king, saying, ‘Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.’
“Then the king said to him, ‘Do as he has said, and strike him down and bury him, that you may take away from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood which Joab shed.’ ”
Hmmm … I guess we Americans, today, just don’t get “Justice”. I guess that‘s why God will take us down by Obama’s commie gangs.
“Mongo only pawn … in game of life.” -Mongo, Blazing Saddles
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