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The Nation's Pulse
Reflections on the Lynden Fair Shootings
“Gang-related” youths in northwest Washington state go at it — one last slap at American innocence.
LYNDEN, Washington — Saturday night, as the Northwest Washington Fair was winding down its six-day run, gunshots disturbed the peace of my small town. One early observer said that over the din of the Fair the shots sounded like balloons popping.
The scuffle was what local police are calling “gang related.” Hispanic youths in this Canadian border town started fighting near the front entrance of the fairgrounds. It was one of the hottest days of the year, which didn’t help matters. Fisticuffs were followed by a knife and then a gun.
Police have released very little information thus far. We do know that the victims were between 18 and 23. A man was stabbed, then two men and a woman were shot. Fire chief Bill Boyd tweeted early on about the condition of the victims in the St. Joseph’s Hospital, in nearby Bellingham: “All stable at this point. 2 shot in trunk, 2 shot in extremities.” Boyd proved wrong about one gunshot, right about everything else. Two victims were treated and released, two were still in the hospital at this writing but likely to make it.
As for their identities, multiple people said in the comment threads of the Bellingham Herald that the person shot “in the extremities” was an innocent bystander who took a bullet in the leg near the mini-donuts stand. Apparently the bullet — probably from a Glock, because .22s don’t usually have so much stopping power — went clean through the abdomen of another victim and decided it wasn’t finished yet.
There’s a good chance that the person whose abdomen that bullet passed through was an “18 year old kid named Isaac.” The quote is from the Facebook page of Rev. Sean Taylor of Big Oak Ministries, who must have experienced the best of times and the worst of times that day. Taylor organized the world’s largest hayride, which will be recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, and then ended the evening holding the hand of a scared, badly injured youth while they waited for the paramedics to arrive.
Taylor asked his Facebook followers to “pray for Isaac today,” adding “today’s his birthday.” He thanked his “crew,” noting that “they sprung into action to help the kid and secure the area,” which, in turn, helped to hold back mass panic. Taylor posted a coda to the whole experience the next morning, stating simply: “We all need Jesus.”
And vigorous law enforcement, Lyndeners might add. I got wind that something was wrong as I was walking home from the Fair a little after 10 Saturday and saw two Border Patrol SUVs, lights flashing, sirens sounding, booking it toward the carnival.
When they got there, the situation was already well in hand. Local cops had tackled and disarmed the shooter, a 15-year-old boy whose name has not yet been released to the public. He will face one count of attempted murder and two counts of first degree assault, at the very least. Other assailants may be charged as the investigation progresses.
Fair manager Jim Baron will probably catch heat for his gloss on events. He told the Herald Sunday that this was the first time a shooting had happened and then, well, he said this: “It’s a bummer that it got marred by that, but I don’t think it takes away from the fact that we had a great fair this year.”
In one very narrow sense, Baron was right. Attendance was up this year, the year of the Fair’s sort-of 100th anniversary. The weather was actually warm and sunny for most of the week. Several barkers told me selling had been so good that they had very little inventory left to unload. And, while there is never a good time for a shooting, late Saturday night is the least economically damaging time to do it.
In the more important sense, it could prove absolutely fatal. The chief draw of the Fair has been that it’s a safe, family friendly place to have some post-raspberry-harvest summer fun. Many locals scoff at the Fair but then show up anyway because it’s the one time when all of Lynden really comes together. And we invite the rest of the world as well.
Until this weekend, that had worked out just fine. Now, that’s not so certain. The comment threads of the Herald were quickly clogged with calls for the mass deportation of Mexicans, and worse. That’s a non-starter, but the Fair could implement bag checks, pat downs or even install metal detectors — in addition to the inevitable and necessary beefing-up of security.
It certainly has the right to do so, but then it will have to count this Fair diehard out. If the Fair can’t find some way to restore confidence without morphing into the TSA, then it will become a rather empty celebration.
About the Author
Jeremy Lott is editor of RealClearPolicy.com, RealClearBooks.com and RealClearReligion.org and associate editor of RealClearScience.com.
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Pecos Pete| 8.22.11 @ 6:51AM
These events would not have happened if guns, knives, fists, feet and tennis balls were outlawed. Next year's events will feature the TSA at the gates and throughout the event, particularly at the watermelon eating stand. The 15 year-old doing the shooting was just letting off steam, don't you know? Seeking diversity, or a level playing field, or something.
London comes to Lynden.
JimH| 8.22.11 @ 10:21AM
You joke, but it was time for my family to move from my old Queens neighborhood when a local Chuckie Cheese type place ( I forget the actual name) set up metal detectors at the door.
The Clintidote| 8.23.11 @ 4:20PM
Shortly before I abandoned California years ago, the local supermarket set up metal detectors, confirming my decision to leave as correct.
I don't celebrate Diversity. I celebrate American.
TrueBlue| 8.22.11 @ 5:12PM
People would be less likely to pull a gun if they knew everybody around them was similarly armed.
albert constantine jr| 8.22.11 @ 6:21PM
Many folks in urban areas are of the (often correct) belief that those around them are armed, yet there manages to be a significant rate of shootings (often in retaliation or, as reported in this case, a result of escalation). Perhaps it could be more accurately posited that fewer people might be willing to pull a gun if they knew they would be met with responsible, accurate and justified gunfire, but I think a bigger problem is a lack of respect for life, as well as a poor sense of proportion (the converse of bringing a knife to a gunfight would be using a gun for a fist fight). Whatever happened to just duking it out after a disagreement unresolved after a verbal exchange?
Foxfier | 8.24.11 @ 12:43AM
How about "if they knew there was a good chance of their VICTIMS being armed"?
L. Ross| 8.22.11 @ 6:56AM
Speaking of mass deportation of illegals, why do we anticipate that people coming from a lawless culture will slide over the border and blend seamlessly into our American culture? Why don't we expect people who have been living in a war zone for the better part of the past decade to come to America and continue to act as if they are still in a war zone? Why is it that when almost every American is in favor of tighter border security, no one will secure the borders? I just don't understand our thinking.
Deborah D | 8.22.11 @ 7:33AM
There is no thinking involved, L., IMHO. Just like anything else related to our country -- we're at fault; everyone deserves to come here; we're selfish; we're racists... Just because the USA has won "life's lottery" because we (used to) have a great country, doesn't mean we deserve it! We must understand that we don't do enough for these poor, downtrodden folks. We must raise taxes to support these folks, to get them counseling, to... whatever!!!!
Any rational-thinking person can see where illegal immigration leads -- it leads to illegality!! And, don't forget, it's our fault because we say mean things like this!
Close the borders. English only. Save our American culture. Multiculturalism and political correctness are the death of societies (and on purpose, go look up the Frankfort School---aka Marxists). Just look across the Pond at our future.
Conrad Spiracy| 8.22.11 @ 11:59AM
The lighter side of the dark underbelly, from Kay and Ron Rivoli. Lots of common sense, patriotism and good ol' American pride in this tune, there is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEJfS1v-fU0
Melvin| 8.22.11 @ 7:51AM
Got to thinking the other day with all these minority kids going buck-wild, at public events like Fairs, Music Festivals and the like.
When I attended these events, as a kid, it was usually with my parents, and other than the State Cops having a presence nothing happened.
But today, young bucks have to swing their testicles above their heads to prove that they're, "A Man." then not to be outdone by the bucks, the buckettes thanks to feminism, not wanting to be outdone are running in feral packs attacking, any white folks they see.
Look at kids today, rarely if at all do you see minority kids with their parents. These kids are just roaming around looking for someone to cross em.
A year or so ago I was driving through the Sears parking lot, and some little snot nosed Black kid trying to impress what I gather was his friends, yelled at me, "You dumb as White Boy." My natural instincts was to grab this little saw offed twerp that was no bigger than a corn nubbin and drag his sorry little backside back to his parents and give them a piece of my mind, but two things entered into my conscious. This kid probably didn't have a parent much older than him, and my wife grabbing my arm sensing danger, "Your not twenty-five anymore."
I sighed let out a grunt of disgust on both accounts.
John Navratil| 8.22.11 @ 10:33AM
Melvin,
There was a time when all adults were seen as authority figures. Now one had better not touch someone else's child - especially teachers. The stories of Childrens Protective Services, of which I have personal knowledge, would curl your hair. It seems the state has does a fantastic job of creating the confusion between liberty and license - all the while doing nothing to deter licentiousness.
Melvin| 8.22.11 @ 12:45PM
John, unfortunately I do know of the stories. One of my co-workers is a foster parent, and there are truly individuals out there male and female that should have no right to propagate.
My son used to contract for mental health and he had to babysit adults, taking them to the doctor, making sure they had their meds, and basically holding them by the hand because they allegedly couldn't cope what the rest of us have to cope with. Last time I checked it was called life.
Some of these worthless pieces of protoplasm, had children. The state through Medicare and social services are paying these parents to have someone babysit them, and the state is also paying the kid because, you got it. The state determined that the kid couldn't cope either.
I couldn't believe how much these people were making for having my son baby sit them, thousands on a monthly basis. They're idea of working was calling my son to take them on a field trip.
The first thing I would like to do is smack the first whiny 13 year old who gets in my face and says, "Its my right to have a baby." Until we stop rewarding these unfit brood mares, we're still going to have animal type behavior, and paying for them to go on field trips.
John Navratil| 8.22.11 @ 1:47PM
Melvin,
And on the flip side, a man I've known for thirty years had his infant grandson fall out of a stroller in his house and bump his head. In an abundance of caution they went to the ER. The ER doc, who was not a pediatrician, decided he had seen signs of child abuse and notified CPS. My friend was forced to move out of his house for months (his daughter and grandson were living with him) and spend $20,000 to clear his name. At the hearing, the expert pediatrician testified that what the ER doc had seen was consistent with normal vaginal birth.
KyMouse| 8.22.11 @ 9:07AM
Taylor's observation that "We all need Jesus" reminded me of an ad that made the rounds a few years ago.
The ad showed an extreme closeup of the business end of a handgun that someone is holding. The text simply asked, " If God doesn't matter to him, do you?"
In a culture that increasingly doesn't want to hear about the hope of heaven and the fear of hell, the answer is likely to be "No."
OregonBuzz| 8.22.11 @ 9:28AM
"...probably from a Glock, because .22s don't usually have so much stopping power..."
This statement is the prize winner for non-inductive generalizations. Was the bullet a 9mm? Was it a .22 caliber or a .40 caliber? In any case the type of handgun cannot be determined from the bullet caliber alone. There are about 50 or more manufacturers of handguns which will fire .22 cal. and about the same number which are chambered for 9 mm. Glock handguns, regardless of caliber, do not have more "stopping power" than any other make of handgun chambered for the same caliber.
larryG| 8.23.11 @ 2:10AM
It's immaterial. The point is the projectile pierced the body of one and struck another which would indicate it wasn't a .22. Is that so hard? It matters not what caliber it was specifically. These greaseballs don't use .22's. Split all the hairs you care to if your intent is to exhibit your knowledge of hand guns. Impressive!
Bill| 8.22.11 @ 9:28AM
"...Apparently the bullet -- probably from a Glock, because .22s don't usually have so much stopping power..."
That sentence makes absolutely no sense.
Bill| 8.22.11 @ 9:31AM
Hopefully that 15-year-old young man will be tried as an adult instead of as a juvenile. Ten years or so in the state pen will be an adequate punishment.
Bill| 8.22.11 @ 9:33AM
Yes, except for the mass shooting, a great time was had by all.
Michael Crites| 8.22.11 @ 10:43AM
"... other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?"
Denver Todd| 8.22.11 @ 9:52AM
Was the fighting inside the front gate or outside? If outside, then metal detectors at the gate wouldn't matter, unless you install them at the entrance to the parking lot.
W.T. Foxtrot| 8.22.11 @ 10:07AM
Cross over, children. Cross-over!
The borders are open!
All are welcome! ALLLLLLL are wel-come!"
PJ| 8.22.11 @ 10:23AM
"Taylor posted a coda to the whole experience the next morning, stating simply: "We all need Jesus.""
Or for those who do not believe in Jesus, I say, "We all need God."
As I watch & read about these "little heathens" from around the world going ballistic, in England, Chicago, Philadelphia, Lynden, etc..., I can not help but think that if God was in their life would they act so violently?
The answer is "No." As proof, 1.5+ million God-searching, youngsters congregated in Madrid, Spain peacefully last week. What a contrast for the rest of the world to learn from.
Nina| 8.22.11 @ 12:35PM
It seems as though our American way of life with applie pie and baseball being wholesome is not something these people want in their lives. Just watch the video of the fight in the stands at the football game. Like the soccor fans, violence is better. The come here for just that and then change it to what they left behind. Used to be these kids parents would slap em up side the head after a fight or being just disrespectful, but you got it right when you said that their parents are probably not much older than they are themselves and lived the same way, without fear of reprimands from parents.
Occam's Tool| 8.22.11 @ 12:37PM
This stuff happened in Venice Beach at times. Pat downs were not required. Perhaps metal detectors, though.
wolflen| 8.22.11 @ 1:31PM
metal detectors at venice beach...id love to see that movie...
Robert Henderson| 8.22.11 @ 1:23PM
Lynden is not a "Canadian border town". It is a U.S.A border town a few miles south of the Canadian border.
We've already been humiliated by our own riot a few months ago in Vancouver, BC after losing the final game hockey playoff. To this day, Canadian citizens are still waiting for even one charge to be laid by the pitiful authorities, an apparent yawning disinterest seems to exist in prosecuting these lawless "socially friendly elements".
Mike w| 8.22.11 @ 1:25PM
Mass deportations are a non starter but metal detectors are ok. This is a disgusting pathetic defeatist attitude especially in light of Obama's back door amnesty.
Importing and allowing the presence of more illegal Hispanics is ok as long as we have metal detectors at state fairs.
It saddens me but when I read junk like this on a conservative web site it makes me think that this country will get what it deserves.
cicero| 8.22.11 @ 2:26PM
Just enforce he law. Take the fun out of these outbursts. Round up the little buggers, and put them in tent cities far away from anywhere, and make them clear scrub for 12 hours a day. It will help cut down on forest fires. After one or two stints in the woods, they will find more tame recreational pursuits.
Charioteer| 8.22.11 @ 2:27PM
Mass deportations (of illegal aliens), far from being a nonstarter, should be a starting point. Illegals aliens are breaking the law just by being here, and the law should be enforced. The more so if the illegals are committing violent crimes. What would people say if Americans flooded Mexico, lived there in violation of that nation's statutes, used resources (e.g., medical and educational) financed by taxes they don't pay, and committed a disproportionate number of violent crimes? What an outcry there would be. And the outcry, I'm betting, would be for deportation.
Build the wall, enforce the law.
Tiddly| 8.23.11 @ 2:10AM
Not as long as the illegals vote Democrat. Why do you think Obummer is declaring amnesty? The illegal vote is a large part of his voter base.
This country is screwed. And to think that that Muslim Kenyan was actually voted into office. Goodbye America.
Flit Andersen| 8.25.11 @ 6:13AM
I don't understand this nonsense about "We can't deport them all so why deport any"? What TRIPE!
First: Start building a WALL (unclimbable, impregnable)
Second: Announce that once it has been completed; we are going to start rounding up Illegals and tossing them over the side. Once tossed over, you never come back. Not even to visit mama & papa. You're outta here!
Third: We announce that any business hiring any Illegals will have all assets siezed & the owner and employee doing the hiring (if they are different people) will be given 5-10 for each infraction.
The Illegals will melt away like a July snowfall.
Flit Andersen| 8.25.11 @ 6:18AM
It seems to me this sort of thing is becoming more common - gang activity at fairs. I suppose it must really irk a certain segment of the population that people will head out for some innocent fun. I suppose they feel somehow cheated that these dollars aren't being spent on drugs or hookers, or stolen car steroes. You know, stuff that would put that dough in their pockets, or employ their mothers or sisters.