7 Mar 2001

gay bar shooter claims to be christian soldier

Man who went on shooting spree in Roanoke gay bar claims to be "on a mission for the Lord".

Last September, Ronald Gay was accused of walking into a gay bar in Roanoke, VA, and started shooting the clientele, killing one man and wounding 6 others. In a letter to the Roanoke Times, Gay portrats himself as "a Christian Soldier working for my Lord". The letter was apparently sent in response to a four-part series on gay life ran by paper recently.

Gay will be facing trial on May 21 for his alleged rampage at the Backstreet Caf. He was reportedly upset at the teasing he was receiving on account of his last name. In his diatribe, he included comments such as "their meeting places and bars will be destroyed with them" if gays don't move to their city (San Francisco), how God wants "gay bars and meeting places be burnt to kill the AIDS virus" and how "Jesus does not want these people in his heaven". Gay, who has been charged with first-degree murder, six counts of aggravated malicious wounding and seven firearm charges, has a history of mental instability.

Gay's public defender was quoted to say "Well, that's just lovely" in evident frustration upon being asked about this letter. State prosecutor says Gay's statements in the letter will be used in court.

United States