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

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Town Mourns City Hall Dead

Gunman was town gadfly; feuded with city council over 150 parking tickets

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 9, 2008 7:00 AM CST

(Newser) – Hundreds gathered in Kirkwood, Missouri, last night for a vigil to mourn the five victims of Thursday night's City Hall shooting, including two police officers and two city council members, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The shooter was identified as Charles "Cookie" Thornton, a local contractor with a history of grievances against the city, including 150 parking tickets a friend said were "eating at him."

Thornton, who was shot down by police after killing five and wounding two others, had long been the town gadfly, battling the city over permits for his demolition and asphalt business and badgering council members, whom he accused of having a "plantation mentality." Two weeks before the shooting spree, he lost a lawsuit against the city over an arrest for disorderly conduct at a council meeting. Thornton left a note saying "the truth will win in the end."

Caroline Hueseman, 7, left, and her friend Sydnie Wilcutt, 9, participate in a candlelight vigil across the street from Kirkwood City Hall Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, in Kirkwood, Mo. A gunman opened fire at a meeting of the Kirkwood City Council in suburban St. Louis Thursday night, killing five people...
Caroline Hueseman, 7, left, and her friend Sydnie Wilcutt, 9, participate in a candlelight vigil across the street from Kirkwood City Hall Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, in Kirkwood, Mo. A gunman opened fire at...   (Associated Press)
Hundreds of community members gather for a candlelight vigil across the street from Kirkwood City Hall Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, in Kirkwood, Mo. A gunman opened fire at a meeting of the Kirkwood City Council in suburban St. Louis Thursday night, killing five people before being shot and killed by...
Hundreds of community members gather for a candlelight vigil across the street from Kirkwood City Hall Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, in Kirkwood, Mo. A gunman opened fire at a meeting of the Kirkwood City Council...   (Associated Press)
Charles Lee Cookie Thornton is seen in this undated photo provided by the Thornton family. Witnesses say Thornton opened fire at a meeting of the Kirkwood City Council in suburban St. Louis Thursday night, killing five people before being shot and killed by police. (AP Photo/Thornton Family Photo, HO)
Charles Lee "Cookie" Thornton is seen in this undated photo provided by the Thornton family. Witnesses say Thornton opened fire at a meeting of the Kirkwood City Council in suburban St. Louis Thursday...   (Associated Press)
Hundreds of community members gather for a candlelight vigil across the street from Kirkwood City Hall Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, in Kirkwood, Mo. A gunman opened fire at a meeting of the Kirkwood City Council in suburban St. Louis Thursday night, killing five people before being shot and killed by...
Hundreds of community members gather for a candlelight vigil across the street from Kirkwood City Hall Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, in Kirkwood, Mo. A gunman opened fire at a meeting of the Kirkwood City Council...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Girl Sues Dad Shot in Road Rage Attack

Big Tobacco Beats Hospital Lawsuit

Iraqis Bring US Lawsuit Against Blackwater

Church Massacre Stuns Missouri Immigrants

Shooter Opens Fire in Missouri Church, Killing 3


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne