Pentagon shooting

John Patrick Bedell was described as being “pretty calm” and as having “no distress in his appearance” when he approached a security checkpoint into a Pentagon subway entrance on Mar. 4. The police officers asked to see his pass, and when he reached into his pocket, it was assumed he was getting his pass out. Instead, Bedell drew a gun out and opened fire, wounding two police officers before being hit with return fire. Bedell died a few hours later on Mar. 5.

In studying Bedell’s background after the shooting, authorities found that Bedell was not acting on behalf of a terrorist group—he was merely showing his frustration with the government in an extreme manner. Bedell is believed to have been bashing the government online through Wikipedia and Youtube, using the screen name ‘JPatrickBedell.’ In a video JPatrickBedell posted, he said the government had been “[seized]…by an international criminal conspiracy” which “would use its powers to convert military, intelligence, and law enforcement bureaucracies into instruments for political control and the domination and subjection of society.” Another person using the screen name ‘JPatrickBedell’ wrote about the same idea expressed in the video, on a Wikipedia page that has been taken down since Bedell’s death.

However, according to Bedell’s family, his ideas were not formed spontaneously: “We may never know why he made this terrible decision. One thing is certain, though—his actions were caused by an illness and not a defective character.” Bedell had a history of mental problems; he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in a 2006 California arrest and committed to mental institutions at least three or four times. About two months before the shooting, Bedell’s mother received information (through an online posting on a bank account) that Bedell, on Jan. 10, had made a $600 purchase at a shooting range in California. Though she asked him about the purchase many times, Bedell refused to tell her what he bought or what he intended to do with it.

Though Bedell caused panic at the Pentagon and wounded two officers, the event would definitely be labeled as a tragedy. [Quote]

I'm still getting quotes - the people I messaged are still in the process of responding. Sorry ):

John Patrick Bedell was described as being “pretty calm” and as having “no distress in his appearance” when he approached a security checkpoint into a Pentagon subway entrance on Mar. 4. The police officers asked to see his pass, and when he reached into his pocket, it was assumed he was getting his pass out. Instead, Bedell drew a gun out and opened fire, wounding two police officers before being hit with return fire. Bedell died a few hours later on Mar. 5.

In studying Bedell’s background after the shooting, authorities found that Bedell was not acting on behalf of a terrorist group—he was merely showing his frustration with the government in an extreme manner. Bedell is believed to have been bashing the government online through Wikipedia and Youtube, using the screen name ‘JPatrickBedell.’ In a video JPatrickBedell posted, he said the government had been “[seized]…by an international criminal conspiracy” which “would use its powers to convert military, intelligence, and law enforcement bureaucracies into instruments for political control and the domination and subjection of society.” Another person using the screen name ‘JPatrickBedell’ wrote about the same idea expressed in the video, on a Wikipedia page that has been taken down since Bedell’s death.

However, according to Bedell’s family, [According to Bedell’s family, however,] his ideas were not formed spontaneously: “We may never know why he made this terrible decision. One thing is certain, though—his actions were caused by an illness and not a defective character.” Bedell had a history of mental problems; he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in a 2006 California arrest and committed to mental institutions at least three or four times. About two months before the shooting, Bedell’s mother received information (through an online posting on a bank account) that Bedell, on Jan. 10, had made a $600 purchase at a shooting range in California. Though she asked him about the purchase many times, Bedell refused to tell her what he bought or what he intended to do with it.

Though Bedell caused panic at the Pentagon and wounded two officers, the event would ["will" or "is definitely labeled as"] definitely be labeled as a tragedy. [Quote]

I'm still getting quotes - the people I messaged are still in the process of responding. Sorry ):

John Patrick Bedell was described as being “pretty calm” and as having “no distress in his appearance” when he approached a security checkpoint at a Pentagon subway entrance on Mar. 4. The police officers asked to see his pass, and when he reached into his pocket, it was assumed he was getting his pass out. Instead, Bedell drew a gun out and opened fire, wounding two police officers before being hit with return fire. Bedell died a few hours later on Mar. 5.

In studying Bedell’s background after the shooting, authorities found that Bedell was not acting on behalf of a terrorist group—he was merely showing his frustration with the government in an extreme manner. Bedell is believed to have been bashing the government online through Wikipedia and YouTube using the screen name 'JPatrickBedell.' In a video JPatrickBedell posted, he said the government had been “[seized]...by an international criminal conspiracy” which “would use its powers to convert military, intelligence, and law enforcement bureaucracies into instruments for political control and the domination and subjection of society.” Another person using the screen name ‘JPatrickBedell’ wrote about the same idea expressed in the video, on a Wikipedia page that has been taken down since Bedell’s death. Bedell was also known to maintain a blog under the name "Patrick," through which he conveyed his thoughts and ideas (mainly more negative commentary against the government).

However, according to Bedell’s family, [According to Bedell’s family, however,] his ideas were not formed spontaneously: “We may never know why he made this terrible decision. One thing is certain, though—his actions were caused by an illness and not a defective character.” Bedell had a history of mental problems; he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in a 2006 California arrest and committed to mental institutions at least three or four times. However, senior Casey Young disagrees with the Bedell family's claim. "I don't believe mental illness is the only justification for his actions," said Casey. "Mental illness is too fluid of a basis to explain such a bold action, especially [with] his target being the Pentagon."

About two months before the shooting, Bedell’s mother received information (through an online posting on a bank account) that Bedell, on Jan. 10, had made a $600 purchase at a shooting range in California. Though she asked him about the purchase many times, Bedell refused to tell her what he bought or what he intended to do with it.

Despite being diagnosed with a mental illness, Bedell had a rich education: He had a degree in physics, had studied biochemistry in the 1990s, and more recently studied electrical engineering as a graduate student. (cont. during class period...)

Though Bedell caused panic at the Pentagon and wounded two officers, Casey said the event "is certainly tragic because [Bedell] was a victim to the shooting he instigated."

(will continue this)

John Patrick Bedell was described as being “pretty calm” and as having “no distress in his appearance” when he approached a security checkpoint at a Pentagon subway entrance on Mar. 4. The police officers asked to see his pass, and when he reached into his pocket, it was assumed he was getting his pass out. Instead, Bedell drew a gun out and opened fire, wounding two police officers before being hit with return fire. Bedell died a few hours later on Mar. 5.

In studying Bedell’s background after the shooting, authorities found that Bedell was not acting on behalf of a terrorist group—he was merely showing his frustration with the government in an extreme manner. Bedell is believed to have been bashing the government online through Wikipedia and YouTube using the screen name 'JPatrickBedell.' In a video JPatrickBedell posted, he said the government had been “[seized]...by an international criminal conspiracy” which “would use its powers to convert military, intelligence, and law enforcement bureaucracies into instruments for political control and the domination and subjection of society.” Another person using the screen name ‘JPatrickBedell’ wrote about the same idea expressed in the video, on a Wikipedia page that has been taken down since Bedell’s death. Bedell was also known to maintain a blog under the name "Patrick," through which he conveyed his thoughts and ideas (mainly more negative commentary against the government).

However, according to Bedell’s family, [According to Bedell’s family, however,] his ideas were not formed spontaneously: “We may never know why he made this terrible decision. One thing is certain, though—his actions were caused by an illness and not a defective character.” Bedell had a history of mental problems; he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in a 2006 California arrest and committed to mental institutions at least three or four times. However, senior Casey Young disagrees with the Bedell family's claim. "I don't believe mental illness is the only justification for his actions," said Casey. "Mental illness is too fluid of a basis to explain such a bold action, especially [with] his target being the Pentagon."

Before the shooting, Bedell showed signs of being mentally distressed, fighting with family members and even disappearing for long periods of time - Bedell's father filed a missing persons report mid-January when Bedell disappeared, but he returned after a week and the report was taken down. Also, about two months before the shooting, Bedell’s mother received information (through an online posting on a bank account) that Bedell, on Jan. 10, had made a $600 purchase at a shooting range in California. Though she asked him about the purchase many times, Bedell refused to tell her what he bought or what he intended to do with it.

However, despite being diagnosed with a mental illness, Bedell had a rich education: He had a degree in physics, studied biochemistry in the 1990s, and more recently studied electrical engineering as a graduate student. Some wonder how such a bright mind ended up losing his life as a consequence of his anti-government beliefs and mental illness.

Though Bedell caused panic at the Pentagon and wounded two officers, Casey said the event "is certainly tragic because [Bedell] was a victim to the shooting he instigated."

Possible headlines:
- Pentagon Shooting
- ??

John Patrick Bedell was described as being “pretty calm” and as having “no distress in his appearance” when he approached a security checkpoint at a Pentagon subway entrance on Mar. 4. The police officers asked to see his pass, and when he reached into his pocket, it was assumed he was getting his pass out. Instead, Bedell drew a gun out and opened fire, wounding two police officers before being hit with return fire. Bedell died a few hours later on Mar. 5.

(Do you think this following paragraph is better placed here or near the end?)

About two months before the shooting, Bedell’s mother received information (through an online posting on a bank account) that Bedell, on Jan. 10, had made a $600 purchase at a shooting range in California. Though she asked him about the purchase many times, Bedell refused to tell her what he bought or what he intended to do with it.

In studying Bedell’s background after the shooting, authorities found that Bedell was not acting on behalf of a terrorist group—he was merely showing his frustration with the government in an extreme manner. Bedell is believed to have been bashing the government online through Wikipedia and YouTube using the screen name 'JPatrickBedell.' In a video JPatrickBedell posted, he said the government had been “[seized]...by an international criminal conspiracy” which “would use its powers to convert military, intelligence, and law enforcement bureaucracies into instruments for political control and the domination and subjection of society.” Another person using the screen name ‘JPatrickBedell’ wrote about the same idea expressed in the video, on a Wikipedia page that has been taken down since Bedell’s death. Bedell was also known to maintain a blog under the name "Patrick," through which he conveyed his thoughts and ideas (mainly more negative commentary against the government).

According to Bedell’s family, however, his ideas were not formed spontaneously: “We may never know why he made this terrible decision. One thing is certain, though—his actions were caused by an illness and not a defective character.” Bedell had a history of mental problems; he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in a 2006 California arrest and committed to mental institutions at least three or four times. However, senior Casey Young disagreed with the Bedell family's claim. "I don't believe mental illness is the only justification for his actions," said Casey. "Mental illness is too fluid of a basis to explain such a bold action, especially [with] his target being the Pentagon."

However, despite being diagnosed with a mental illness, Bedell had a rich education: He had a degree in physics, studied biochemistry in the 1990s, and more recently studied electrical engineering as a graduate student.

Though Bedell caused panic at the Pentagon and wounded two officers, Casey said the event "is certainly tragic because [Bedell] was a victim to the shooting he instigated."