Owosso, MI (LifeNews.com) — Local officials and state police are confirming that a pro-life advocate was shot and killed outside a high school in this Michigan town. The person, who is described as well-known but whose identity has not been released, was shot multiple times while protesting abortion outside Owosso High School.
LifeNews.com has learned that the pro-life advocate is James Pouillon and the local Argus Press newspaper in Owosso has confirmed that to be the case. He was reportedly shot multiple times.
In the spot where the Pouillon stood, a portable oxygen tank lay next to a sign with a picture of an unborn child and the word “Life.”
Officials say the shooting occurred at 7:30 a.m. local time and most students were inside the school building at the time of the incident. The shooting did not take place on school property but officials locked down the school and taped off most of the front portions of the school grounds.
State police have confirmed they apprehended a suspect about 8:15 a.m. at the suspect’s home in this small community northeast of Lansing.
Sara Edwards, the chief assistant prosecutor for Shiawassee County, has confirmed that Pouillon’s pro-life stance was the reason he was targeted and said the suspect officials have in custody disapproved of his abortion protests outside the schools.
“There was some displeasure with how open he was,” she said. “He tended to carry big signs with very graphic pictures of fetuses.[reference]
This is a sad story as in the case of every murder. No doubt as pro-lifers we will be looking at the disparity of coverage in this murder compared to the murder of abortionist George Tiller. Also no doubt many other parallels will be mentioned. Hopefully though pro-lifers will not blame this on anybody else but the shooter himself. No talk about pro-abortion advocates creating a climate that lead to this murder is appropriate. This is a tactic of the pro-aborts to use a situation to their advantage. I think we should see this as a sad case likely done by someone just as disturbed as the very small numbers of people who shot abortion doctors.
It is of course fact that violence around abortion clinics is overwhelmingly done by pro-abortion advocates even if these circumstance rarely if ever get covered. The culture of death has lead to a cheapening of all life, but it surely does not mean that pro-abortion activists will become murderers. We must not demonize our foes even as they demonize the pro-life movement.
That being said I wonder if the President will make a statement like he made in regards to George Tiller’s murder. Within short hours of that murder pretty much every pro-life group condemned it. So far abortion advocacy groups are imitating fields of crickets.
Though some liberals are very upset about this. How could the murderer dare to violate the sacrosanct “gun free zone” around a school.
In the meantime we can pray for Mr. Pouillon and his family along with his murderer.
3 comments
Thank you for this thoughtful article – especially the advice to pray for the victim AND the perpetrator of the crime – In struggling with my pro-abortion friends it is these details {prayng for our opposition, not harboring hate and anger} that can make the difference in converting hearts to a pro-life stance – in other words we must not simply talk the talk – we must walk the walk – the Lord’s walk – forgiveness seventy times seven, patience and compassion yet firm on principle…I speak from experience by the way:} I was a pro-abortion advocate for over thirty years and this year changed my stand through the patient explanations of the priests, nuns, and lay people on EWTN Radio/TV…It was the incredibly respectful way they took on their critics and questioners and broke it down piece by piece – it was this imitation of Christ that made the difference for me and so it will make a difference for others as well – God Bless..
13 million yearly abortions in China alone – many promoted by the State for “The Quality of it’s Citizenry.”
(To turn a phrase…)
That being said I wonder if the [The Vatican] will make a statement like [they] made in regards to [state-approved Bishops.] Within short hours of that [controversy] pretty much every [church official from Rome] condemned it. So far [pro-life church leaders] are imitating fields of crickets.
Sadly, hypocrisy is deafening.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-07/30/content_8489656.htm
http://www.thecatholicthing.org/content/view/1241/26/
“No talk about pro-abortion advocates creating a climate that lead to this murder is appropriate.”
According to your follow up article they are blaming the victim for “creating a climate” that led to his shooting simply by being pro-life.