As relatives started to bid farewell and bury victims of the Friday massacre at a Binghamton, NY civic center, the authorities have been on the defensive about how police responded to the shooting.
Thirty minutes lapsed between when Jiverly Wong entered the American Civic Association and shot numerous people and when the police entered the building. The Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin reports, "Broome County District Attorney Gerald Mollen said during a press conference Sunday that it was fair and natural to raise questions. But nothing police could have done would have saved the lives of the 13 people who died in Friday's massacre"—Mollen said that based on the autopsies, none of the victims could have been saved even if police managed to take them out immediately.
Wong's father was seen outside his home, where his son also lived. The Post reports, "[He] said nothing to explain his fiendish son's actions. Instead, he only hugged neighbors who came by to offer their support." Wong's sister was on the Today show and said her family was "very surprised" that her brother was the shooter; she said, "I can see that he was very depressed from losing his job and he was very frustrated with his English-speaking skills. He didn’t share any of his thoughts and feelings and he kept all of his frustration inside, and didn’t want to share with anybody else in the family.” She also said her family was very sorry for the victims and the families, "I am so sorry he acted in a terribly inappropriate way to his pressure."
Wong had attended English classes at the civic center—many of the victims were immigrants who were trying to work on their English so they could look for work or better socialize with people—but was apparently frustrated by the program. The Daily News points out that the gun store Gander Mountain where Wong purchased guns (though it's unclear if the guns used in the shooting were purchased there) was selling a special value pack of 100 bullets for $15.99.
