Iraq War Veteran Shocked By Shooting Rampage

SAMSON, Ala. (AP) - The small Alabama farming community where a
gunman opened fire killing nine people remains in disbelief two
days after the rampage.
The town of Samson turned out for a prayer service last night.
The gunman grew up there, graduated from the local high school
and worked in the area's factories. A former teacher says she
enjoyed having Michael McLendon as a student, describing him as
honest.
Josh Smith, who played baseball with McLendon when they were
young says "he was just a normal person."
An Iraq war veteran says watching the carnage Tuesday "was much
worse than anything" he saw while serving, because he says in Iraq
"you are prepared for it."
McLendon began his rampage a dozen miles from Samson in Kinston,
where he burned down the home he shared with his mother, killing
her. It ended an hour later when he committed suicide after a
shootout with police. In between, he shot and killed four more of
his relatives and five bystanders.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)