US

Police: Security Footage Shows AZ Judge Died Saving Another Man

Last week he was called “fair” and “just.” Today, Judge John Roll, the federal judge killed in the Tucson shooting, is being called a hero.

Police say security footage from the Safeway store where the shooting occurred shows accused gunman Jared Loughner walking up to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and shooting here at close range — the video shows only a wisp of her hair, however. Loughner then turns and begins firing indiscriminately into the crowd.

“He wheels this direction and that direction firing,” Chris Nanos, a captain with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department who has viewed the video, told the Wall Street Journal.

The Journal explains what happens next in the video with 63-year-old Judge Rolls:

As the shooting starts, the video shows Judge Roll pushing another man, Rob Barber, onto the ground, Mr. Nanos said. “It looks to us as though he is pushing against Ron Barber to move him out of the way.” Both men fall to the ground; both are shot. The judge was shot in the back and died.

The New York Times quotes Richard Kastigar, another investigator in the case, in explaining the incident this way:

The judge guides Mr. Barber to the ground, shields him with his body, and then tries to push himself and Mr. Barber away from the gunman, who was no more than three to four feet away as he fired, Mr. Kastigar said.

“He pushes Mr. Barber with his right hand and guides him with his left hand. The judge was on top of him and is covering up Mr. Barber, literally lying on top of him, and his back was exposed,” Mr. Kastigar said.

“It’s pretty evident to me that Judge Roll was a hero … if Judge Roll had not pushed Mr. Barber his wounds might have been fatal,” Nanos told the Journal . “Judge Roll‘s actions are of a man trying to save another man’s life.”

While the video shows Barber, Loughner, and Roll, the camera’s angle blocks other victims from view. However, the video does lead investigators to think that Giffords was the target because it shows a man running past a concrete pillar, and shooting Giffords at close range.

“There’s no hesitation. Once he gets around the pillar, it’s obvious what his intent is. That’s why we believe his target was exactly who we thought it was,” Nanos told the Journal.

The FBI is currently reviewing the video.

Comments (67)

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  • TJexcite
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 1:44pm

    For all the charges that he has, killing the judge will give him the biggest punishment. The media will have to do a big back step when they have to explain why he is getting the needle when the focus of the coverage is back in Washington.

    Report Post » TJexcite  
  • The Bees
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 1:01pm

    God speed Your Honor.

    Another Brave Hero we should all be emulating!

    Report Post » The Bees  
  • apollo18
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 12:24pm

    Shhhhhh! Heaven forbid, that the word gets out that he’s a CATHOLIC HERO! They called him “your Honor” for a reason. May the Sacred Heart watch over your family, and lift the pain of your loss from their hearts. This we pray in Jesus’ name.

    Report Post »  
    • Mermaz
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 2:05pm

      And he was a 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus.

      Report Post »  
    • lana720
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 10:27pm

      I heard he had just been to Mass and was walking by and saw the Giffords sign and decided to see her. He did get between the crazed shooter and the other man and rolled him under a table for cover, then the crazy shot him in the back. A true martyr – he‘s resting in God’s Arms now. My condolences to his family. Dems don’t have heroes like this – period!

      Report Post »  
  • Chase
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 12:14pm

    The Judge (RIP) was a PRO-LIFE conservative. He’ll NEVER make the lame stream media.

    Report Post »  
  • Ashrak
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 12:05pm

    Had mainstream media not been so addicted to bashing everything Beck or Palin, they might have taken notice that a great many stories of heroism are there to be told. See, the haters here who aim to control everyone and everything, from exercise of rights all the way to the weather centuries from now, do not want anyone to view acts of heroism lest folks might take similar action. Personal Responsibility and personal sacrifice of one’s own volition is what they fear most. Lost is their method of control when people figure out that they can do for themselves, and for others, what the leftists like to claim government must be employed to do.

    Report Post » Ashrak  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:56am

    This conversation is going NO WHERE with all the trolls trying to dishonor a dead hero. SHAME ON YOU. Moving on…

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • Dale
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:55am

    EqualJustice;

    Are you suggesting Mooch-elle takes up smoking?

    Report Post » Dale  
  • Oldphoto678
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:43am

    Maybe he is a hero, and maybe he was just running for cover. I’ll wait until I see the video before I make up my mind.

    Report Post »  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:51am

      WOW. WHY would you WANT to see a video of all those people being KILLED? That’s just sick to me. TAKE the word of those who SAW the video, geez. HE’S A HERO and you need help if you wish to VIEW that massacre. IMO

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • youguysready_letsroll
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 12:49pm

      Do you REALLY want to see a 9-year old girl get shot. Really?

      Report Post » youguysready_letsroll  
  • fertlmind
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:43am

    You can bet That the judge will not be replaced by another conservative. Obamma will make sure of that!

    Report Post » fertlmind  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:38am

    I will NOT read that gossip rag. haha Everyone knows he‘s skinny because he smokes too much and Michelle won’t let him eat cheeseburgers. (like SHE does) :)

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:36am

    All I can say is that I hope justice will be served for Judge Roll and all the other people who died and were injured by the insane killer.

    Report Post » SilentReader  
  • Chasvs391
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:24am

    If the Judge had been a Democrat, he would have hidden under the other guy! Cowards and Liars are what Democrats and Leftist are made of!

    Report Post »  
  • Chasvs391
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:23am

    If the Judge had been a Democrat he’s have been honored by the LEFT as a Hero. Since that’s not the case, we’ll never hear about this in the MSM!

    Report Post »  
  • Jeannie Thayer
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:22am

    Judge John Roll gave his life to save another person. His first instinct was to help another person. This is an amazing testamnet to who the Judge was as a person. He was a public servant his entire career an died a hero. More importantly, he embodied what a “good man” is.

    When we think of public service, we usually do not think of soldiers. Since 9/11, I believe we have come to the realization that we are all soldiers in this country. The citizens aboard flight #93 were drafted into service on 9/11. There were no physical, mental, or moral fitness options for deferment. They readily gave their life for this country.

    I have been & still remain so proud to be an American!

    Report Post » Jeannie Thayer  
  • sbenard
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:21am

    AND… he was a Republican!

    THAT will never make it on the MSM!

    for the record: I’m a conservative, NOT a Republican! BIG difference!

    Report Post » sbenard  
  • ThomasUSA
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:08am

    Justice Roll is exactly the kind of person we need in our justice system. How many of our “public servants” have such a high respect for others, that they would instinctually risk their own lives for a complete stranger. What a terrible loss.

    Report Post » ThomasUSA  
  • smithclar3nc3
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 10:59am

    Where’s the video? SOund like the Judge might have been trying to push someone out of his way.

    Report Post »  
    • psst
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:04am

      By laying on top of him?

      Report Post »  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:39am

      You WOULD want to see it. That’s just sick. Take the word of those who SAW the video. He is a HERO and you’re a BUZZ KILL. The Judge should get some sort of Congressional award. Haven’t heard much about HIM in this entire story. :(

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • psst
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 10:54am

    He was, his brother’s keeper.
    That socialists/communists would use the action of a deranged person for political hatchet jobs is just despicable.
    The judge did not ask Rob Barber if he was a republican or a democrat. or even if he was a conservative or socialist before he took this heroic action.
    May the good Lord rest his soul.

    Report Post »  
  • krenshau
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 10:48am

    I wish more people had been armed so they could take the shooter out before he even got off a round.

    Report Post »  
    • BiteMePETA
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:44am

      Well said, the answer is more guns… not less.

      no solution is 100%, but they should require Congress to take self-defense lessons with a weapon.

      Report Post »  
    • middleclassprophet
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:48am

      Your answer is more guns? Wow, that’s impressively ignorant.

      middleclassprophet  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:53am

      AND the killer may have been DEAD before the little girl had someone ELSE had a gun, BESIDES the crazy guy. YOU are incredibly ignorant.

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • GONESURFING
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 2:38pm

      Yes, If there were some armed citizens at this event, this horrible shooting could have possibly been avoided or at least lessened and we would not have this POS shooter around to put on trial.

      Report Post » GONESURFING  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 3:51pm

      I don’t think it would have been possible to take the shooter out before he got off a round, unless there was a uniformed police officer there.

      First, I think that you have to realize that for the average citizen, unless they have had training in rapid response, when something unexpected like this happens, there are several seconds of SHOCK, which are usually followed by the self preservation mode. There’s a lot that happens in those precious few seconds, which can seem like an eternity when one is going through it.

      For the shooter, those several seconds of shock act as a window to get his job done unimpeded. Remember, he knew what he had planned, no one else in that crowd did. The judge managed to react quickly, God bless him, but not everyone else did.

      There was someone there that was armed and who had unholstered his weapon when the shooter was taken down by some other citizens. The armed bystander had to process alot of information quickly, such as: actual shots has been fired, someone had been hit, locating the shooter, and figuring out whether or not he could get a clear shot of the perp. That’s why police officers have training, training, training, training, training and still more training.

      The way to have prevented this shooting at all is not to have killed the perp before he got off a shot, or to ban all guns, but to have had the Pima County Sheriff actually do his job and toss the kid in the slammer when he went off the first time rather than what he did do, which was apparently letting the kid get away with it.

      We’ve not heard from Sheriff Dupnik lately, have we? I wonder why?

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
    • IndyPAGirl
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 4:15pm

      Actually, one of the men who helped take Loughner down was carrying a weapon. The thing anti-gun people don’t understand is this: responsible gun owners know how and when to use their weapons. Obviously, firing more bullets into this crowd would not have helped the situation. Had Loughner still been firing, and a clear shot was available to one of the heros of this day, no doubt someone would have stopped him from killing so many innocent people.

      Report Post »  
  • The Rake
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 10:46am

    Simply WOW!! God Bless Him

    Report Post »  
  • WakeUp
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 10:39am

    One thing this tradgety showed us is that whether we are a a congressman, judge, or an intern just starting out, we are all people – and most of us care about others. God be with his soul.

    Report Post »  
  • wolfster38
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 10:34am

    Heavens gates open for a good man who gives his life to save another. True American hero! God bless him.

    Report Post » wolfster38  
    • missionarydad
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 10:55am

      Hero indeed, The Bible clearly states there is no greater act than one who will lay down his life for his friends.

      Report Post »  
  • Oh, God!
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 10:25am

    Prayers to his wife and kids.

    Report Post » Oh, God!  
  • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 10:24am

    I heard of this on the radio, the judge was a brave man, saving another at the cost of his own life. Rest in Peace your Honor; and may the others rest in peace as well now. May there be a lot of good come from this tragedy inflicted by one nutjob.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • middleclassprophet
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 10:21am

    A true American hero. R.I.P.

    Report Post » middleclassprophet  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 10:28am

      Agreed. Many hero’s were discovered that day, some still live, some gave their all.

      Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • NickDeringer
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 10:37am

      Will the MSM downplay this because he was a Republican??

      Report Post » NickDeringer  
    • TexasCommonSense
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 10:53am

      Politics simply don’t matter here. He’s a hero, D or R. God has a special place in heaven for him.

      I almost had another Boehner moment reading this. I’m such a wuss…

      Report Post » TexasCommonSense  
    • gramma b
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:13am

      “Greater love hath no man than this . . . .” And, yes, the media will downplay this because he was a Republican.

      Report Post »  
    • Ironmaan
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:24am

      There is no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend.
      http://guerillatics.com

      Report Post »  
    • exdem
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 1:55pm

      I am having a Boehner moment. Judge Roll was a man of true convictions and honor. Our nation lost a hero. God Bless his family.

      Report Post »  
    • JGP
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 2:18pm

      Don’t know if he was an R or D, doesn’t matter. What shows is this mans true character. When it was an occasion for panic, confussion and everyone for themselves his core character took over. He is honorable.

      Report Post »  
    • My Sacred Honor
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 5:16pm

      It is always the same; One horrificly evil event spaws several more heart-wrenching God-like miricles….this is another in a long line of this tragic story that makes me weep for joy at the true spirit of the truely Good individual.

      Semper Fidelis, Judge John Roll, you are a Giant among men, sir.
      “ATTEN-TION! HAND SALUTE!”

      Report Post » My Sacred Honor  
    • My Sacred Honor
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 5:18pm

      @ TEXAS…..No, i am a 39 year old Marine, and stories of selfless sacrifice like this bring me to tears.
      NO need to quantify here. He is to be cherished and loved.

      Report Post » My Sacred Honor  
    • angelite49
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 10:10pm

      John 15:13 (New International Version, ©2010)

      13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

      Report Post » angelite49  
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