# Doctor who performed abortions shot to death. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 31, 2009, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280 "2009-05-31T19:55:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/21 "2009-05-31T22:54:38Z")
> [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](#): > > My local newspaper’s comments section is filling up with people praising the murder of this doctor. First rule of newspaper comment sections…they attract trolls. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/22 "2009-05-31T23:00:49Z")
Pro-Lifers, my arse! If they were really pro-life, they’d have been turning their anger on a govt. that took them into wars that have cost upwards of a 100,000 innocent lives. Fucking hypocrites! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/23 "2009-05-31T23:24:55Z")
It’s wrong to kill, so he killed the doctor. Next he could get the death penalty, to teach him and others that it is wrong to kill people to punish them for killing, by killing him. Stop the world, I want to get off. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Awesome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Captain\_Awesome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Awesome)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/24 "2009-05-31T23:25:55Z")
Couldn’t he just regenerate? \*But seriously, utterly indefensible. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/25 "2009-05-31T23:28:45Z")
The suspect is 51 years old, white male. Was caught driving peacefully home, doing the speed limit. He did walk inside the church. Two people tried to stop him from leaving, but he threatened them with his pistol. So he’s got one murder charge and two aggravated assault charges. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/26 "2009-05-31T23:31:34Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > Pro-Lifers, my arse! If they were really pro-life, they’d have been turning their anger on a govt. that took them into wars that have cost upwards of a 100,000 innocent lives. Fucking hypocrites! :mad: I am pro-life.I am disgusted with Tillers murder, disgusted with wars.I don’t believe in god either. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/27 "2009-05-31T23:40:44Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I’ll never understand why people are so goddamned opposed to abortion to the point of being ready to KILL the people who practice it. You know what the problem with the world is today? THERE ARE TOO MANY GODDAMN PEOPLE. Any system that reduces the amount of people that will be born should be considered heroic, and not only tolerated but federally subsidized. Why do people get abortions? Because they have decided they are not ready or not willing to raise a child. Isn’t it better that the child not ever be born, than that it’s born to a woman WHO DOESN’T WANT IT? What kind of people are these aborted fetuses likely to grow up into, under those circumstances? It’s better that they are not born at all. To play the Devil’s Advocate, they basically consider it defending someone. (No, I do not agree, and I think they’re fucking nuts) ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/28 "2009-05-31T23:49:23Z")
> [@Mr Bus Guy](#): > > He was killed in church, where his wife was singing in the choir. I wonder if the killer made it to church before rushing out to shoot someone? I, for one, think it’s funny that an abortion doctor goes to church. ---
**Author:** ![PeacePlease](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/71c47a/32.png) [@PeacePlease](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PeacePlease)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/29 "2009-05-31T23:53:10Z")
This is heartbreaking. What a horrible, horrible tragedy for Dr. Tiller’s family to have to suffer through. To have already been shot, terrorized, vandalized and finally murdered in the foyer of his church. Dr. Tiller is a hero for going through all this and continuing to practice medicine. I don’t think too many people that could or would have withstood the pressure. As for the abortion debate, I completely agree with **Argent Towers**. The person who did this is scum and should be vilified. I can’t wrap my head around the logic of killing those who kill. I was also so pissed off when I read this quote from Operation Rescue: > [@](#): > > “We are shocked at this morning’s disturbing news that Mr. Tiller was gunned down,” anti-abortion group Operation Rescue said in a statement on its Web site. “Operation Rescue has worked for years through peaceful, legal means, and through the proper channels to see him brought to justice. We denounce vigilantism and the cowardly act that took place this morning. We pray for Mr. Tiller’s family that they will find comfort and healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ.” 'Cause Operation Rescue is such a PEACEFUL, LEGAL organization…and healing can only be found through Jesus Christ. Assholes. ---
**Author:** ![PeacePlease](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/71c47a/32.png) [@PeacePlease](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PeacePlease)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/30 "2009-05-31T23:54:56Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > I, for one, think it’s funny that an abortion doctor goes to church. Sorry for the double post but WTF? Why? You can’t be a Christian and be a medical doctor? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/31 "2009-06-01T00:01:15Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > [QUOTE=Sarahfeena] > I seriously doubt you will find a pro-lifer on this board who would support such vigilantism…I certainly don’t. I’ve yet to see a pro life organization turn in one of these fellow travelers _before_ he commits his violent act. Why is that? [/QUOTE] Because the majority of them approve of it. > [@WolfpackJeep](#): > > They may not be saying it out loud, but I bet this shooter is going to turn into another pro-lifer hero like Eric Rudolph. I remember seeing interviews with the good people of Murphy, NC just after his arrest; they didn’t see what the fuss was about, as he hadn’t done anything wrong. :rolleyes: He was also hidden by his fellow “pro-lifers” from the government, as I recall. > [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Women get abortions because they are not ready and willing to be pregnant/give birth. Plenty of people give birth and have the kid adopted. Willingness to raise the kid doesn’t factor into it. > No, it’s better that the kid be born to a woman that doesn’t want it than to be killed. > They’re likely to grow up to be like other kids that have been adopted. Mostly healthy, and most importantly, not dead. It’s better that they are born. In other words, to you the woman isn’t human, she’s just a brood mare. A womb with legs. The pain, the risk, the long term health consequences of pregnancy don’t matter to you. And if she dies it’s what the bitch deserves, right ? “The slut should have kept her legs shut.” > [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > That being said, I’ll second that you’re not likely to find anyone defending the shooter. Not that I’ll shed a tear for the doctor or anything. In other words, you are quite happy about it but lack the guts to admit it. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/32 "2009-06-01T00:03:45Z")
Doctor Who performed abortions? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/33 "2009-06-01T00:15:12Z")
> [@PeacePlease](#): > > This is heartbreaking. What a horrible, horrible tragedy for Dr. Tiller’s family to have to suffer through. To have already been shot, terrorized, vandalized and finally murdered in the foyer of his church. Dr. Tiller is a hero for going through all this and continuing to practice medicine. I don’t think too many people that could or would have withstood the pressure. > > As for the abortion debate, I completely agree with **Argent Towers**. The person who did this is scum and should be vilified. > > I can’t wrap my head around the logic of killing those who kill. > > I was also so pissed off when I read this quote from Operation Rescue: > > > [@](#): > > > > “We are shocked at this morning’s disturbing news that Mr. Tiller was gunned down,” anti-abortion group Operation Rescue said in a statement on its Web site. “Operation Rescue has worked for years through peaceful, legal means, and through the proper channels to see him brought to justice. We denounce vigilantism and the cowardly act that took place this morning. We pray for Mr. Tiller’s family that they will find comfort and healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ.” > > 'Cause Operation Rescue is such a PEACEFUL, LEGAL organization…and healing can only be found through Jesus Christ. Assholes. “We denounce vigilantism?” What the fuck does vigilantism have to do with anything? Do they mean they don’t want someone taking the law into their own hands and executing Dr. Tiller’s murderer extrajudicially? That must be it. Because vigilantism is about people who are not law enforcement officials hunting down and harming people who have been accused of actions that have been DEFINED AS CRIMES BY THE GOVERNMENT. The only potential target of vigilantism here is the man who walked into a church service to commit a murder. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/34 "2009-06-01T00:16:51Z")
A couple of points gleaned from the blogosphere. The good Dr did indeed “specialize” in late-term abortions. In that he was one of the few willing to perform them, he became the most experienced. The women he treated did not want abortion, they had no option. Something had gone very, very wrong, and there was no other choice. Not even the most rabid “pro” is likely to accept a woman’s death for no purpose, and any number of the procedures were performed because the prospective baby was dead, or soon would be. By all accounts, a careful and conscientious doctor, who kept on his work…his \*needed \*work!..for years under constant threat of violence. We are less for his passing and even lesser than it was murder. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/35 "2009-06-01T00:18:00Z")
The rumors are that it is a guy named Scott Roeder. He was a poster on Operation Rescue’s site. Big surprise. _Bleass everyone for attending and praying in May to bring justice to Tiller and the closing of his death camp. Sometime soon, would it be feasible to organize as many people as possible to attend Tillers church (inside, not just outside) to have much more of a presence and possibly ask questions of the Pastor, Deacons, Elders and members while there? Doesn’t seem like it would hurt anything but bring more attention to Tiller._ ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/36 "2009-06-01T00:20:32Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > “We denounce vigilantism?” What the fuck does vigilantism have to do with anything? If they didn’t call it “vigilantism”, they’d have to call it “murder”. Calling it “vigilantism” helps them spin it, to blame the victim without coming out and saying so. Disgusted yet? ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/37 "2009-06-01T00:24:31Z")
> [@PeacePlease](#): > > Sorry for the double post but WTF? Why? You can’t be a Christian and be a medical doctor? Haha..Going to church makes you a christian, like going in the garage makes you a car. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Cream\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ice\_Cream\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Cream_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/38 "2009-06-01T00:25:18Z")
Why do pro-lifers never blame the women getting abortions as much as the doctors? In their mind, aren’t they hiring people to kill babies? ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/39 "2009-06-01T00:26:25Z")
\*April 17, 1996 Web posted at: 2:30 p.m. EDT (CNN) – A Kansas man identified by the FBI as a member of the anti-government Freemen group was being held Wednesday on explosives charges as the standoff in Montana entered its 24th day. Also Wednesday, a detention hearing was scheduled in Billings, Montana, for Freeman Ebert Stanton, 23. He and his mother surrendered last week to authorities. \*\*Bomb trigger Scott P. Roeder, 38, was arrested Tuesday in Kansas after deputies found what they called a bomb-triggering device in his car. The Silver Lake man was arrested in Topeka and held on charges of criminal use of explosives, driving on a suspended license and failure to carry registration and insurance. He was stopped because his car didn’t have a legitimate license plate. Instead, it had a tag indicating the driver was a “sovereign” citizen and immune from Kansas law. The same type of license plate is sometimes used by the Freemen, whose members in Montana are in a standoff with federal agents. Roeder’s name is on an FBI list of Freemen members, said Sheriff Dave Meneley of Shawnee County, Kansas. In Roeder’s trunk, authorities found fuse cord, a one-pound can of gunpowder, ammunition, a blasting cap and two 9-volt batteries, one wired to a switch – the alleged triggering device.\*\*\* This could be the guy - the age is exactly right. Tax protester, Freeman, abotion doctor murderer. Yeah, it looks like the DHS report was spot on. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280/40 "2009-06-01T00:27:38Z")
> [@Ice\_Cream\_Man](#): > > Why do pro-lifers never blame the women getting abortions as much as the doctors? I think they(we) do. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-performed-abortions-shot-to-death/498280.md?page=3)