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Mich. Anti-Abortion Activist Killed in Drive-By

Perp also admits to shooting local business owner; motive unclear

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 11, 2009 2:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – A prominent anti-abortion protester was gunned down this morning outside a Michigan high school, the Detroit Free Press reports. Owosso High School students were among the witnesses to the drive-by shooting, which police say was committed by a 33-year-old man who was arrested at his home and promptly confessed to killing a local businessman shortly before gunning down James Pouillon.

Pouillon, 63, was protesting across the street from the high school when he was shot. The suspect's views on abortion aren't known, authorities said. Michigan anti-abortion activists mourned his death. “Jim Pouillon is a hero,” says one. “He died for the cause of life.” Local residents were more measured in their assessment. “He was often vocal about what he thought and that was offensive to some people,” says one.

An Owosso police officer stretches a police line across Whitehaven Drive near Owosso High School in Owosso, Mich., as first responders work on a shooting victim this morning.
An Owosso police officer stretches a police line across Whitehaven Drive near Owosso High School in Owosso, Mich., as first responders work on a shooting victim this morning.   (AP Photo)
A Shiawassee County Deputy photographs the scene of a shooting at the intersection of North Street and Whitehaven Drive near Owasso High School in Owosso, Mich., this morning.
A Shiawassee County Deputy photographs the scene of a shooting at the intersection of North Street and Whitehaven Drive near Owasso High School in Owosso, Mich., this morning.   (AP Photo)
In an August 2002 photo, anti-abortion activist Jim Pouillon, left, has a heated discussion with a Planned Parenthood employee in Owosso, Mich.
In an August 2002 photo, anti-abortion activist Jim Pouillon, left, has a heated discussion with a Planned Parenthood employee in Owosso, Mich.   (AP Photo)
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We had spoken to the gentleman before and insisted that he be off the school property with his message. - Susan Wooden, Owosso Schools Interim Superintendent

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 40 comments
Fondue
Sep 12, 2009 12:21 PM CDT
"and we as a people do not tolerate it nor do we easily tolerate fools like you." -- What do you think you're going to do about it? You feign Liberty as usual.
oldgoat
Sep 12, 2009 10:13 AM CDT
I look at it the same as when Tiller was killed. It was wrong no matter what the cause was. However I also remember several on the pro abortion that were favorable to the kill and the mainline groups didn't really protest all that much. However let's find out first if this is a case of being a killing because of being in the wrong place at the wrong time or just a hate killing. Since the guy admitted that he killed a businessman earlier I would tend to believe it is a random killing, but I'll wait to see for sure.
njgreen
Sep 12, 2009 7:30 AM CDT
"Political violence is what happens in third world countries, not here." OK LibertyMan, then tell your friends who bring guns to town hall meetings to stop turning the USA into a third world country.

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