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American Stabbed To Death In Beijing

MSYtristar From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 6242 posts, RR: 51
Posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2038 times:

Sad story. The victim and his wife were relatives of a U.S men's volleyball coach. The wife survived. The attacker jumped to his death.

Do you think this will affect security procedures for the U.S contingent at all?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/08/09/olympics.murder/index.html

[Edited 2008-08-09 07:21:37]

15 replies: All unread, jump to last

LTBEWR From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 12337 posts, RR: 12
Reply 1, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2020 times:

This could have happened to any 'tourist' in Bejing for the games, not necessarly an American. That is happened at a tourist site is quite disturbing. I am quite sure the PRC government is ashamed of this attack and will adjust security at this and tourist frequented sites as needed. Tourists getting killed is not good for business. I suspect all visitors, all participants, including Americans will be asked to take greater care when outside of Olympic facilites to reduce risks of crimes.

Most probably the killer (who killed himself) was mentally ill. Still, questions have to be raised about the run-up to these games, with strong nationalism promoted in the media there and the part it may have had in triggered these attacks by an unstable person.

Swiftski From Australia, joined Dec 2006, 2701 posts, RR: 2
Reply 2, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2017 times:

I posted this earlier but it was deleted.

It is indeed sad.

Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
Do you think this will affect security procedures for the U.S contingent at all?

I can't see anything to suggest that this was targeted as an Anti-US attack.

RJdxer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR:
Reply 3, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2017 times:

Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
The attacker jumped to his death.

That's the strange part. Makes you wonder what was going through his mind. As to security, since these people weren't directly connected to the U.S. team, and according to this story they weren't even wearing anything that would identify them as Americans, it seems this was more than likely just a random act by a mentally disturbed person.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080809/...on_re_as/oly_china_american_killed

Seibel said the two Americans who were attacked were not wearing anything that would have identified them as Americans or part of the U.S. team. He could not name the coach.

Beefer From United States of America, joined Jun 2003, 390 posts, RR: 0
Reply 4, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 1900 times:

This is big news here in Minnesota as Todd Bachman was the CEO of Bachmans, a locally based home and garden chain which is sort of a Minnesota institution.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/ol...kUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUs

ACDC8 From Canada, joined Mar 2005, 7598 posts, RR: 40
Reply 5, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 1895 times:

Quoting RJdxer (Reply 3):
Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
The attacker jumped to his death.

That's the strange part. Makes you wonder what was going through his mind.

I don't know. I would think that killing yourself would be a lot quicker and less painful then being caught by the police, charged with murder, being held in a Chinese prison and eventually being executed.

A Grumpy German Is A Sauerkraut

Flighty From United States of America, joined Apr 2007, 7451 posts, RR: 2
Reply 6, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 1838 times:

Quoting RJdxer (Reply 3):
That's the strange part. Makes you wonder what was going through his mind

Better to kill oneself than have balls torn off by the Chinese interrogators. Any day. Smart move IMO.

Either this is a random attack, or something more sinister (daily killings by decentralized goons) may be afoot.

Quoting Swiftski (Reply 2):
I can't see anything to suggest that this was targeted as an Anti-US attack.

Oh, it's not that hard to imagine. It is by nature a political act of some sort. Either anti-US or anti-China. Random "street crimes" like this simply don't happen in China. Much less on that particular day.

Quoting Beefer (Reply 4):
CEO of Bachmans, a locally based home and garden chain which is sort of a Minnesota institution.

Yeah pretty bizarre huh? The stores must be stunned and saddened about this.

Swiftski From Australia, joined Dec 2006, 2701 posts, RR: 2
Reply 7, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 1790 times:

Quoting Flighty (Reply 6):
Oh, it's not that hard to imagine. It is by nature a political act of some sort. Either anti-US or anti-China.

As all reports keep suggesting, there was nothing to distinguish the victim(s) as US citizens.

Maybe it was Anti Canada?

Maybe Anti Australia?

Maybe Anti UK?

Maybe Anti New Zealand?

Quoting Flighty (Reply 6):
Random "street crimes" like this simply don't happen in China

I'm sure you thought the same about Japan?

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-06-08-stabbing-tokyo_N.htm

Flighty From United States of America, joined Apr 2007, 7451 posts, RR: 2
Reply 8, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 1776 times:

Quoting Swiftski (Reply 7):
I'm sure you thought the same about Japan?

There are some lunatics in both countries.

Was this guy just a garden variety lunatic? Probably. Hopefully.

Quoting Swiftski (Reply 7):
As all reports keep suggesting, there was nothing to distinguish the victim(s) as US citizens.

Wouldn't have been a problem for me.

It being the Olympics, they may have been wearing American flags. This just wasn't a random civilian crime, it had some purpose. The question is what.

They being clearly foreigners, maybe the madman wanted to hurt the Chinese Olympic events. Then this crime is really about Chinese politics, in which case you'd be right.

Petertenthije From Netherlands, joined Jul 2001, 3231 posts, RR: 13
Reply 9, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 1744 times:

Quoting Flighty (Reply 8):
It being the Olympics, they may have been wearing American flags. This just wasn't a random civilian crime, it had some purpose. The question is what.

What makes you think there was a purpose to this? I am not saying there wasn't one, mind you! Maybe there was, maybe there was not. I am just interested how you come to that conclusion when even the autorities (as yet) don't know about a motive, and the killer is unlikely to make a statement anytime soon.

Attamottamotta!

Flighty From United States of America, joined Apr 2007, 7451 posts, RR: 2
Reply 10, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 1706 times:

Quoting Petertenthije (Reply 9):
What makes you think there was a purpose to this?

Well it's like seeing a purple Unicorn holding a winning lottery ticket. Violence against Americans is pretty much unheard of, unprovoked like that. It's so unusual that it begs careful attention. And it occurred on the most auspicious day in modern Chinese history, with Beijing in the limelight for the first time since 1972.

Quoting Petertenthije (Reply 9):
even the autorities (as yet) don't know about a motive

I didn't say I know the motive, just that there probably was one. And it wasn't robbery or something silly like that. Beijing is not Rio De Janiero or Mexico City or Chicago. This is very unusual and begs some identification. Maybe this will fit under a heading maybe it won't.

The only thing that comes to mind is the Atlanta bombing. It killed 1 person and was thought to have some purpose, or was it just general mayhem.

SlamClick From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 10062 posts, RR: 71
Reply 11, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 1662 times:

Quoting RJdxer (Reply 3):
Makes you wonder what was going through his mind.

My guess; the thought that the next thing through his "mind" was going to be a 7.62x39 from an SKS.

If it doesn't happen again I guess we can assume that it was just one looney and could have happened just about anywhere, anywhen. It is tragic but unless there are more, just one of those things you'd sooner expect would be done by an American than to one.

Doubt that a single event will have any meaningful effects on things there. A handful of people might decide to go home early, there might be an extra guard here or there, but not much.

On a personal level, what an awful thing for the family. I don't care who you are the Olympics will never come again for this family without their remembering this.

Happiness is not seeing another trite Ste. Maarten photo all week long.

FXramper From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 7027 posts, RR: 93
Reply 12, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 1608 times:

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Jesus Christ.

I just watched a report here at the Newark Hilton about this. The wife heard her husband yelling when he was getting knifed. Are we sure this was a random attack?

Wow...condolenses to the family. yes

I heard on CNBC the men's volleyball coach won't be with his team on their opening match.

Elite From Hong Kong, joined Jun 2006, 2760 posts, RR: 10
Reply 13, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 1559 times:

Quoting FXramper (Reply 12):
Are we sure this was a random attack?

Yeah, there was no way the attacker could've connected him to the US team and the man was mentally ill.

CXfirst From Norway, joined Jan 2007, 2702 posts, RR: 1
Reply 14, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 1427 times:

I was watching this on the News here in Australia.

They also mentioned that they were either suggesting or implementing (not sure which) a rule for all Australia athletes to wear their Australian shirts for two reasons.

1. So that the Chinese police could see that they were Australian athletes, and would be let through police barricades if problems happen.

2. They also said that one reason was so they would not be mistaken for American, as they said that there probably would be more anti-american notion in China than anti-Australian or anti-Westerners in general.

-CXfirst

From Norway, live in Australia

Elite From Hong Kong, joined Jun 2006, 2760 posts, RR: 10
Reply 15, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 1423 times:

Quoting CXfirst (Reply 14):
1. So that the Chinese police could see that they were Australian athletes, and would be let through police barricades if problems happen.

I am not sure that wearing Australian shirts would be enough proof for police to let them through. Don't athletes have identification badges that they carry around? I think I've seen them on TV.

Quoting CXfirst (Reply 14):
2. They also said that one reason was so they would not be mistaken for American, as they said that there probably would be more anti-american notion in China than anti-Australian or anti-Westerners in general.

The attack was purely random and the victims did not wear anything that would let other people know they were American. However, the relationship between Australia and China is very good and I guess it would help.

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