Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hero Saved Cafe Patrons in Seattle Massacre

He hurled barstools after Ian Stawicki opened fire

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 1, 2012 2:03 AM CDT | Updated Jun 1, 2012 7:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – A hero saved three lives by hurling barstools at a deadly gunman when he opened fire in a Seattle cafe, police say. "I just threw the frigging stool at him, legs first," the man told police, saying that after his brother died in the World Trade Center attack, "I promised myself" that if something like this ever happened, "I would never hide under a table," CNN reports. The man's actions allowed three people whose exit had been blocked by the gunman to escape the shooting in the Cafe Racer coffeehouse, according to cops.

Gunman Ian Stawicki's shooting spree killed five people, including two members of local folk band God's Favorite Beefcake, who were found dead in the coffeehouse. Investigators say Stawicki, who fatally shot himself as police closed in, owned at least six handguns, including one bought just after he was cleared of domestic violence charges, and had held concealed weapons permits since 1996, reports the Seattle Times.

Friends and neighbors stand outside Cafe Racer.
Friends and neighbors stand outside Cafe Racer.   (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
This frame grab provided by the Seattle Police Department shows Ian Stawicki, left, at Cafe Racer.
This frame grab provided by the Seattle Police Department shows Ian Stawicki, left, at Cafe Racer.   (AP Photo/Seattle Police Department, handout)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
5%
3%
17%
74%
1%
1%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 21 comments
Trixielolo77
Jun 1, 2012 1:39 PM CDT
Kudos to the hero but my issue goes much deeper.  Mentally unstable people.  This is an issue because there are so many in this country, not to mention the rest of the world and there must be help out there somewhere!  WTF??   Dear United States Government, there are so many deaths a year due to mentally ill people!  Instead of over prescribing anti-depressants, can we get some PSYCHIATRISTS who actually counsel and attempt to help these people work through their mental issues!? If we can't, can we AT LEAST do the proper evaluation on those in this country, for them to be placed in a safe home far away from the mentally healthy people and I'm not talking about Guantanamo Bay!  The United States Census Bureau needs to add *WHERE TO LOCATE THE MENTALLY ILL SO WE CAN MAKE THIS COUNTRY SAFER TO LIVE IN* to their job duties! WTF, United States Of America, clean this place up from killers and nutjobs!!!!
HANKHILL
Jun 1, 2012 11:05 AM CDT
who the @@@@ cares who the bad guy was he be dead. what is the name of our hero, god bless him!
Motherchucker
Jun 1, 2012 10:57 AM CDT
The NRA should be really proud today with one of its own legal to carry concealed, killing people. Congratulations to all you douchebag NRA card carriers. Another reason to carry guns, you're a joke
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne