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Texas Mom Shoots Kids as She's Denied Food Stamps

Mother is dead, 2 children 'very critical'

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 7, 2011 3:10 AM CST

(Newser) – A desperate mom denied food stamps for months shut herself in a Texas welfare office and shot her two children before killing herself. Her daughter, 12, and 10-year-old son are in very critical condition. Rachelle Grimmer, 38, had recently moved from Ohio and had not completed the proper paperwork to obtain aid, said authorities. She was meeting with a caseworker in the Laredo welfare office when she pulled a gun. Police negotiated with her for more than seven hours, and she gradually released everyone from the office except for her children. A SWAT team moved in when they heard three shots, reports AP.

Friends of Grimmer's daughter, Ramie Marie, told KABB-TV that the girl reached out on Facebook for help from inside the building. "Tear gas seriasly," she wrote. Under her Facebook "works" status, Ramie wrote: "May die 2day." Food stamp applicants must fill out an 18-page file and provide proof of such things as employment or rent. The move from another state may have complicated Grimmer's application process, said an official.

Ramie Marie Grimmer (right) poses with a friend in a Facebook photo. She's now fighting for her life.
Ramie Marie Grimmer (right) poses with a friend in a Facebook photo. She's now fighting for her life.   (Facebook)
Laredo Police Department units are posted by the main entrance to the Texas Health and Human Services Offices during a hostage standoff.
Laredo Police Department units are posted by the main entrance to the Texas Health and Human Services Offices during a hostage standoff.   (AP Photo/The Laredo Morning Times, Ulysses S. Romero)
Laredo Police Department officers rush into a side entrance at the Texas Health and Human Services Offices following a seven-hour hostage standoff.
Laredo Police Department officers rush into a side entrance at the Texas Health and Human Services Offices following a seven-hour hostage standoff.   (AP Photo/The Laredo Morning Times, Ulysses S. Romero)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 85 comments
Riffran
Dec 7, 2011 8:02 PM CST
so a mother from Ohio, who seems to be able to have kids with smart phones and internet access, moves to Texas and throws a shit fit because she can't get food stamps.  and it's "Texas Mom shoots her children"?  She could have bought a lot of food with that monthly phone bill she didn't have to have.  Shame that the liberals on this site are defending HER actions in the fervor to blame republicans for a stupid bitch's entitled fueled dysfunctional actions ...she was probably a disgruntled "Occupier"
PeterTheodoropoulos
Dec 7, 2011 1:29 PM CST
Would she have had as much trouble getting aid from the state if she were illegal. I don't think so seeing as how a whole new industry has opened up to push paperwork through for illegals where as Americans are on their own.
Just_Dave
Dec 7, 2011 11:01 AM CST
It is my belief that we are our brothers keeper.  Our brother has a responsibility too.  We have enough wealth to help anyone through a rough patch.  We will never have enough wealth to support an 'entitlement' class. In our area most who receive government assistance do so for the health care it provides their children.  Providing a home, food, cash, health care and everything else for someone puts them in a position to stay on public assistance because they cannot afford to provide those things for themselves via the private sector.  If I were in that position I would probably do the same thing.  We need to nationalize health care.  Our health should not be a for profit concern. Sadly our politicians keep their perspective voting blocks and money sources at the expense of us all.  The left keeps the poor and the right keeps the opposition.  Both sides do so knowingly and it all keeps us divided.

 
Texas • Ohio • welfare • food stamps • Laredo, Texas • Rachelle Grimmer

 
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