Update: Response to comments: The reason this is being billed as an "Anti-choice activist shot dead" yada yada is because he was shot WHILE CARRYING HIS SIGN. That is what evidence there is that this might be related to the anti choice movement. Don't shoot ME, I'm just the messenger.
UPDATE 2 This may NOT be motivated by abortion, or anti choice, or pro choice. My point in writing this diary is that is what the HEADLINES are reading. That was my point in stating that this is not a good day for our side. You seriously don't think that, regardless of WHAT this man was killed for, it WILL be painted as being because he was an activist? If you don't, you're naive.
A well known anti-choice activist, carrying a sign depicting an aborted fetus was shot multiple times in front of a local high school just up the road from me this morning. Sadly, I found this out not in my local news, but by perusing the Daily Mail UK. (link)
More info below the fold
This is not good. This will likely hit MSM more vigorously than the murder of Dr. George Tiller, because it was done in front of school children.
The suspect is in custody, no further information is yet available.
Anti-abortion activist shot in front of Owosso High School
OWOSSO, Michigan -- State police at the Corunna post have confirmed a well-known anti-abortion activist was shot multiple times and killed this morning in front of Owosso High School.
The victim's identity has not yet been released but the shooting occurred around 7:30 a.m., after most students were off the buses and safely inside the building, said Owosso schools transportation supervisor Jayne Campbell.
State police also confirmed that a suspect was taken into custody about 8:15 a.m. at the suspect's home.
Owosso High School secretary Wendy Smith said the students remain in lockdown this morning and confirmed that no students were involved and all are safe with classes going on as normal. The shooting did not occur on school property, Smith said.
Ho Hum, all students are just going about their day....
I find the anti-choice activists standing at the street corners with their fetus pics disgusting, but this does not justify them being murdered in such a manner.
I'd like to add, there is no information at this time to determine if this murder was definitely motivated by his anti-choice activities, or a personal issue as there was a second homicide discovered at a different location that they believe may be related.
I'll add more as I get more information.
Update 3:
There was to be a press conference at 11:30. I haven't found any video on it yet.
Detroit Free Press
James Pouillon, 63, was shut multiple times at around 7:30 a.m. as he protested across from Owosso High School, according to witnesses, police said.
About the same time, Mike Fouss, 61, was found dead in his office at Fouss Gravel in Owosso Township.
The suspect was arrested at his home in Owosso after a witness to Pouilon’s shooting gave police the license number of a car from which the shots were seen fired.
Owosso Public Safety Director Mike Compeau said it was not known if Pouillon was shot for his anti-abortion views. The suspect, according to Compeau, told officers that he had also shot Fouss after they had picked him up.
Update 4: And here it is now. From the same Detroit Free Press link above:
Pro-life activists in metro Detroit mourned the death of Jim Poullion, who they said was a well-known pro-life advocate.
"Jim Pouillon is a hero," said Monica Migliorino Miller of South Lyon, the director of Citizens for a Pro-life Society. "He died for the cause of life."
As I said. Regardless of WHY he was shot and killed, this will be why it will be painted.
Update 5:
More from Detroit Free Press:
Compeau said it was not known what abortion views are held by the shooting suspect.
Fuoss’ brother-in-law, Glen Merkel, told the Free Press that Fuoss was found shot dead in his office around 7:30 a.m. by an employee. He said Fuoss was seen alive perhaps 20 minutes earlier when another truck driver for his company came to pick up a load of gravel.
Merkel said the suspect in the shootings is the son of a former Fuoss Gravel employee, but said he did not know any reason for Fuoss’ slaying.
Update 6:
Statement from Planned Parenthood East Central Michigan
Lori Lamerand, president and Chief Executive Officer of Planned Parenthood East Central Michigan, also expressed shock and sadness at the news.
"We want to be very clear that we have no idea if this was related to his views, but Planned Parenthood would never condone any sort of violence against anyone, regardless of their views," said Lamerand.
A suspect was taken into custody within an hour of the shooting. Lamerand said her office has not been contacted by police at this time and no link has been made to the organization.
"Certainly we do eveyrthing we can to ensure the safety and security of our clients, and if called upon, we would obviously cooperate with any investigation with the police," said Lamerand. "I am aware he's been a protestor at our offices in the past but I have had no personal contact with this man and did not know him personally."
Pouillon was arrested in 1994 for disorderly conduct, in a case where he allegedly harassed parents as they took their children to day care at First Congregational Church in Owosso.
Update 7: (And here was my point to begin with)
Owosso shooting victim already hailed as martyred pro-life hero, despite police stating no motive yet determined
Friday September 11, 2009, 4:12 PM
OWOSSO, Michigan -- Some pro-life camps are already describing Owosso shooting victim James Pouillon as a pro-life martyr, even though police haven't yet determined whether the well-known anti-abortion activist's views were the reason for his death at the hands of a drive-by shooter in front of Owosso High School.
The Christian Newswire has posted as its top story today a plea to end violence around the issue, calling Pouillon a "martyred pro-life hero."
Also, he was on his way to shoot a third victim, but was caught before he could reach him. A real estate agent. The thing these three men had in common? He bore them ill will.
From WLNS TV Lansing
Prosecutors say Harlan Drake of Owosso planned to kill three people on Friday.
The Shiawassee County Prosecutor says Drake wanted to kill a third man: a local realtor named James Howe. But police caught Drake at his house this morning before he could attempt that assassination.
The prosecutor doesn't know or wouldn't say why he thinks Drake wanted them dead. He just says Drake bore the men "ill will."