Liberty Rocks

World & US News Round-ups, Commentary & Research Information

~ San Francisco Hit-and-Run Rampage - August 29, 2006

Focus Page @ The LibertyRocks Blog

~ HIT & RUN RAMPAGE IN SAN FRANCISCO ~
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Page Last Updated - 2 September 2006 - 8:00 p.m. (Added More Links & Information)
[Special Thanks to all who have sent me links to add to this page. It is greatly appreciated.]

EDIT NOTE: The following article has been edited to correct and add some information
Last Update of article below: August 30, 2006 10:00 a.m.

One man was killed and at least 14 others injured, including one child, when a man went on a hit-and-run spree first in Fremont, and then continuing in downtown San Francisco. Witnesses and authorities say the suspect’s actions were intentional, as they could see him focusing and “aiming” for people. Witnesses also say that he had a “mean look” on his face. Another witness reportedly told Reporter Rob Roth at WTVU-TV that the suspect had referred to himself as “a terrorist”. Although authorities are claiming that this incident “was many things” but “it was not an act of terrorism.”

2.gifThe Hit-and-Run spree lasted approximately 20 minutes in downtown San Fran. Authorities finally chased down Omeed Aziz Popal [pictured at left], 29 of Fremont, who was driving an SUV, by boxing in his vehicle and taking him into custody at shortly after 1 p.m.[picture below at right]. Witnesses say that the suspect was very peaceful as he sat near the scene in handcuffs. One woman featured in a video report stated that if you didn’t know what had just happened you never would’ve been able to tell that this man had committed such a heinous crime immediately before.

Mr. Popal is said to have driven with intent on mowing down pedestrians. Witnesses report that he went the wrong way down one-way streets, and in one case after hitting an elderly man in a crosswalk, made a U-Turn and started back down the street to hit him again. A witness was able to pull the man to the sidewalk before Popal reached their position. The man who pulled the other out of the way said that when Popal passed he looked at him and appeared to be “angry about something.”

Police are still investigating this incident, and at least one media outlet is reporting that the bomb squad was called in to check out Mr. Popal’s SUV11.gif for possible explosives. Again, authorities maintain that this was NOT an act of terrorism. They also do not know at this time whether drugs or alcohol was a factor in the incident.

Mr. Popal’s attorney, Majeed Samara told the press that his client was “mentally ill” but did not provide any further information. Mr. Samara is quoted as saying, “All I can tell you is he’s not all together.”

Ch. 5 KPIX-TV is reporting that Mr. Popal’s cousin, Zargona Ramish said he had been having nightmares about someone coming to kill him and he had apparently been taking medication. She is quoted as saying, “He thought the devil was coming to him.” She also stated that he was a very good person, herself asking “what’s wrong with him?”.

Ramish also stated that Mr. Popal had been in Afghanistan a month ago for his wedding, and his bride had not been able to make the trip to California yet.

Please note, authorities are asking anyone with information to contact; San Francisco Police Lt. Mahoney at (415) 553-1145.

- Michelle K.
Information for this report was compiled from various sources
Pictures;
1) Photo of Ohmeed Aziz Popal
2) Photo of Police Cars & Black SUV
Both Pictures: CBS Ch. 5 KPIX-TV, CBS Broadcasting
Company Inc. - San Francisco, California

 

476428_blue_flame.jpgPrayers are being offered for the victims, their family and friends,
and all who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.
We pray that God will comfort you in your time of need — may he bring you healing, and may he grant wisdom to all the caregivers helping the victims through their recoveries. For Mr. Wilson’s family, we offer our most sincere condolences. May he rest in peace.

- Sincerely, Michelle K. & Family


stephenjwilson.jpg

Mr. Stephen Jay Wilson
Killed by a Hit-and-Run Driver, 29 August 2006 in Fremont, California
Photo Credited to The San Francisco Chronicle

OFFER YOUR CONDOLENCES FOR STEPHEN JAY WILSON ONLINE:
Share your condolences, thoughts, & prayers with Mr. Wilson’s family and friends through this online Guestbook courtesy of The San Jose Mercury News.

NEWS ARTICLES ABOUT MR. WILSON:

NOTES ON CURRENT SPECULATIONS IN THE BLOGOSPHERE:

A poster at FreeRepublic.com who lives in California stated thing as Mr. Popal has an Afghani Surname, and that the second part of his rampage began outside the Jewish Community Center in San Francisco. Keep in mind the Mr. Popal would had have to drive 41 miles from his starting point in Fremont to the Jewish Community Center, and just a “1/2 mile from the main Jewish temple, Temple Emanu-El.” Indeed it is puzzling why Mr. Popal chose the neighborhood he did to conduct the second part of his spree — some point out that it is a Jewish neighborhood. Of course, this could all be coincidence, and anything pointing to terrorism at this point would be speculation based on the information currently available.

I will post more information and links as they become available, and as I am able. If you find information you think should be included on this page, please don’t hesitate to email me at; LibertyRocksBlog @ gmail. com (NO SPACES). Or, if you happen to be a member over at FreeRepublic.com you can always send a FreepMail to; LibertyRocks, or ping me to any articles you find there. Thanks for your help.

MAP SHOWING VICTIM LOCATIONS:
(Map from KPIX-TV Ch. 5 (CBS) - CBS Broadcasting Company Inc. - San Francisco, CA, US)
[NOTE: Click on the picture below to see full-size]

~ RESOURCE LINKS ~

Following are resource links I have gathered regarding the Hit-and-Run Incident in San Francisco on August 29, 2006. Links will be added to this list on a regular basis as new information is uncovered. If you have any information or links to add to this page please feel free to email me [LibertyRocksBlog @ gmail.com (no spaces)].

PLEASE NOTE:
Some article links, may become inactive after a while — especially those to Associated Press articles which are sometimes required to be removed after a certain perioed of time.

MAJOR MEDIA COVERAGE:

2 September 2006

1 September 2006

31 August 2006

30 August 2006