“JSC” = Johnson Space Center (NASA)

From what I’m hearing, it sounds like a disgruntled employee (from Jacobs Engineering, a private contractor) that was going to be fired today has decided to sit down and chat with his boss about the decision. KHOU has streaming video from the site. Reports that two shots have been fired.

This reminds me of the plot of a recent episode of Medium.

Time is of the essence when a disgruntled worker with nothing to lose takes Joe and three others hostage. Allison and Ariel are plagued by an overwhelming feeling of dread, as police mobilize to bring the hostage situation to an end.

In the episode, the employer was an engineering firm that designed satellites.

UPDATE:
Here’s a map of JSC and Building 44:

UPDATE 2:
Building 44, just north of Rocket Park, houses the communications and engineering departments. It is used to test communication equipment for the space shuttle and International Space Station. There are several labs inside.

UPDATE 3:
HPD and NASA have scheduled a 4:30 p.m. news conference.

-Just before 2:30 PM, HPD called about shots fired
-SWAT was called, has now taken inner perimeter
-Suspect is a white male, 50-60 years old, 1 weapon (handgun)
-No motive known at this point
-NASA has sent employees home for the day
-Confirmed 2 shots fired, no confirmation of whether anyone’s been shot
-Negotiators are trying to establish communication with Suspect

UPDATE 4:
Tragedy. 2 dead.

From HPD Captain Dwayne Ready: While negotiators were trying to establish communication with the gunman, he shot himself, fatally. One (male) hostage was killed (presumably early on in the standoff) and another (female) hostage was bound with tape and is still alive. Weapon was a snubnose .38 or .357.

Unbelievable:

HOUSTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Coast Guard plucked a man and his pet bird from a 75-foot tree on Tuesday evening after he became stranded while trying to coax the creature out of the branches.

“Local rescue units including ladder trucks … were not able to get close enough to the tree due to the proximity of the houses,” the Coast Guard said in a statement.

It said that it dispatched a HH-65C Dolphin helicopter crew which safely hoisted man and bird free. The incident occurred in Porter just north of Houston and local media reported that the bird was a $2,000 cockatoo.

“The man and bird were flown to Williams Airport in Porter. Both were reported to be in good condition,” the Coast Guard said.

Welcome to Houston.

From the Houston Chronicle:

• Kobie Diallo Williams, also known as Abdul Kabeer or Abdul Kabir: Pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to aid the Taliban, which includes dealings with an illegal immigrant in possession of a firearm, contributing goods and services to benefit a global terrorist group, training with firearms in preparation to participate in a terrorist organization and agreeing to travel to the Middle East to fight against U.S. and coalition forces. He faces up to five years in prison.

• Adnan Babar Mirza: Charged with conspiracy to aid the Taliban by the illegal possession of a firearm and by weapons and paramilitary training to help a global terrorist organization. He also faces three counts of illegal possession of a firearm. If convicted on all four counts, he faces up to 35 years in prison.

Of course, the Chronicle rounds up as many people as they can to paint these admitted terrorists as nice people and good neighbors. Even after one pleads guilty to conspiring to aid the Taliban.

Mirza is a Pakistani national who was in the country on an expired student visa. Who says we need immigration reform? And just think, if he’d just falsified his job application, Democrats would protect him…

I wonder if investigators will find any TATP.

Others:
Michelle says these guys are “just doing the job Americans won’t do.”

From the Houston Chronicle:

After [HPD Officer Rodney] Johnson stopped Quintero for speeding near Hobby Airport on Thursday, Quintero was handcuffed and placed in the back of the patrol car. Police said Quintero was able to get his cuffed hands in front of himself, draw a concealed pistol and shoot Johnson four times in the head.

Some history on Quintero:

Brown said that Quintero had a criminal history from 1995 to 1999, convicted for DWI, failure to stop and give information and indecency with a child. His driver’s license was suspended and he was deported to Mexico by immigration officials in 1999, Brown said.

Another catch and release success.

The Mexican government is monitoring the case.

Representatives from the Mexican Consulate also attended the hearing. The Mexican government, through its consulate office in Houston, continues to monitor Quintero’s case and has offered him legal help.

It would be nice if they’d take this much interest in these criminals before they come here to commit their crimes.

Update: blogHouston points out how the Houston Chronicle describes the illegal-immigrant cop killer as polite and calm. Did you expect any less?

Sugarland Mayor David Wallace has dropped his bid to run as a write-in candidate for Texas District 22 (Tom Delay’s old district). I had thrown my support behind David, but the local Republican leaders decided this past weekend to endorse only one candidate (a smart move) for the write-in campaign, and it wasn’t David. While I still don’t believe all of the accusations tossed his way (even from the Right), I applaud his sacrifice for the betterment of the TX-22 constituents. It’s better to get behind the consensus choice than run on personal desire, only to let liberal Nick Lampson backdoor his way into the seat.

On a cursory review of her credentials, it appears Shelley Sekula-Gibbs is a good choice. Check out her campaign site.

Here’s her take on issues:

- Secure America ’s Borders
- Reform Immigration without Amnesty
- Protect Life and the Family
- Guard Against Restrictions to our Right to Bear Arms
- Replace Federal Income Tax with a Fair Tax, Reduce the Debt and Increase Jobs
- Preserve Ellington Field for Local and National Defense
- Support NASA and the Johnson Space Center
- Create a regional Research and Biotechnology hub
- Elliminate Frivilous Law Suits and Provide Affordable Health Insurance

Visited this exhibit yesterday at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. It was absolutely amazing. At points during the exhibit, you tend to forget these are real human beings that once walked and talked. But then you catch one with face in tact, eyes glaring forward, and you quickly snap back into the reality of it all.

I would highly recommend that everyone see this exhibit. Though it may be a bit scary for children and I’d recommend not going immediately after lunch if you have a weak stomach.

It’s also eye-opening to see the various comparisons of healthy body parts with those that have been afflicted with a variety of ailments… from smoker’s lungs to the impact of obesity on the heart and blood vessels. I mean, it’s one thing to hear about the damage these things cause to the body… it’s another thing to actually see it.

One of the more amazing displays is the centerpiece of the exhibit… The Equestrian.

Check it out if you get the chance.

*5 Updates below*

Authorities are investigating an explosion at an apartment complex in Texas City (home to one of the largest petrochemical complexes in the world) yesterday which killed one man and injured another. (hat tip: Nita Rene)

One man died Wednesday in an explosion at a Texas City apartment complex, KPRC Local 2 reported.
…
A resident was working with combustible materials inside a unit, sparking the explosion, investigators said. That man, whose identity was not released, died at the scene.

Today, investigators have identified the materials:

Authorities ordered two apartment complexes evacuated and set off a small explosion inside a unit today in an attempt to remove a substance believed to have caused a fatal blast Wednesday.

In a news conference today, federal and local officials said they believe the substance was peroxide-based.
…
The FBI refused to say whether it believes the men were preparing some kind of attack.

But Texas City Mayor Matt Doyle said: “If we thought this was a terrorist act, the action would be a lot different than we’ve seen here today. Certainly, the FBI would have raised the level of security inside the city.'’

Salway described the substance as similar to TATP, organic peroxide and a primary high explosive. It takes the form of a white crystalline powder with a distinctive acrid smell and has been described as a weapon of choice for suicide bombers.

TATP was also the explosive of choice of suicide bomber Joel Hinrichs outside a packed football stadium in Oklahoma last Fall, as well as the 07/07/05 London bombers.

Of course, the official line is… “Authorities … don’t believe terrorism was involved.”

Here are photos of the scene, courtesy of the Galveston County Daily News:

UPDATE:
The two victims have been identified.

The survivor of yesterday`s explosion, Curtis Jetton, is charged with making a false police report. Police say Jetton and the victim, 21-year-old Matthew Rugo, were working with chemicals inside the apartment when the first explosion took place.

According to public records, it appears Matthew Rugo was arrested two years ago on a misdemeanor weapons violation.

He was also charged in March 2005 with burglary of a habitation. Kohen said Rugo and co-defendant Christopher J. Distefano, 20, of Bellville, were accused of stealing rifles and other items from a home. He had pleaded guilty in the case but had not yet been sentenced. Distefano also was facing sentencing.

UPDATE 2:
Contradictory reports about their possible affiliations:

A college student killed Wednesday afternoon in a blast at the Lakeview Apartments likely was part of a growing subculture of young people who like to see things blown up, authorities said.

Those same authorities insist he and a friend injured in the blast were not associated with any terrorist group — domestic or otherwise.

That word contradicted TV news reports attributed to unnamed, highly placed federal sources that said the pair might be members of a four-person domestic terrorist group.

UPDATE 3:
The injured man had recently been fired from his job cleaning offshore storage tanks and oilrigs:

Mickey Greene, the operations manager for Will Duett, a Galveston firm that specializes in cleaning offshore storage tanks and oilrigs, confirmed Jetton worked for him until recently. He said he told Jetton he wasn’t needed anymore after failing to report to work Saturday.

UPDATE 4:
A friend of Matt’s has posted a tribute to him here.

He had a special interest in explosives and firearms, as many guys do at the age. The only thing is he was a little more active in his interest. I have no doubt he enjoyed just seeing what he could accomplish with them and knowing that he had the knowledge and ability for them. If it wasn’t for this accident, I bet he could have truly been a great pyrotechnician someday or something of the sorts.

I’m not condoning what Matt did, but I just want to clear up any question on his intent. Matt was not a violent person and there really isn’t a doubt in my mind that he did not meant any harm to anybody or anything. I’m sure the most he would have done with any of his materials was take them out to some pasture or somewhere and see what he could do with them. They where basically his toys, though dangerous as they where. He had no more intent with his actions then someone with a bottlerocket aimed at an object in a junk heap.
…
Rest in Peace, Matt. The one true regret I have about this is that I can’t tell you all the stir you made after the fact… with the FBI, news reporters, bomb squads, the police blowing up the apartment complex, and helicopters going crazy. You would have truly loved it, and thought it an extremely befitting end.

UPDATE 5:
(hat tip: Mrs Peel) Stories still not adding up. Despite what those close to the guys are saying, Jetton is telling a different story…in his own words:

Texas City police told a different story in a court affidavit released Friday. That affidavit alleges Jetton told police he not only knew about the explosives but went with Rugo to purchase the items used to concoct the volatile mixture.

“He was fully aware of the ingredients for making an explosive in detail,” according to the affidavit.

The document states that moments after the fatal blast, Jetton told police there were no more explosives in the apartment. Police said Jetton later changed his story and said the items could be found in a closet.

That bit of misdirection is what led to the charge of filing a false police report.

Jetton also described what happened in the moments leading up to the blast that killed Rugo, according to the affidavit. In the report, police said Jetton explained that Rugo was taking the explosive material, believed to be similar to a peroxide-based explosive known as TATP, out of a container. That is when the explosion occurred.

Jetton bonded out of state jail and was promptly picked up by federal authorities. Questions remain…

From the Houston Chronicle:

New Orleans doesn’t want its poorest residents back - “unless they agree to work.” That was the message from three New Orleans City Council members who said government programs have “pampered” the city’s residents for too long.

It’s always nice to hear folks speak the truth without trying to sanitize it for the sake of political correctness. Maybe, just maybe, this had something to do with why so many relied on the government to take care of them during the storm… and then why so many blamed the government when it couldn’t handle the load. As always, LaShawn hits the nail on the head:

What Hurricane Katrina proved was not how racist America was or how its poor got left behind. It proved that generational government dependency has rendered poor black communities helpless and unable to think and plan for themselves.

Thank you. Of course, the moment the government started doling out the cash, they quickly used it for the necessities in life: Strippers and Casinos

“We don’t need soap opera watchers right now,” said New Orleans City Council President Oliver Thomas, during a housing committee meeting. “We’re going to target the people who are going to work. It’s not that I’m fed up, but that at some point there has to be a whole new level of motivation, and people have got to stop blaming the government for something they ought to do.”

I just wish the New Orleans City Council would’ve been this motivated and politically incorrect BEFORE the storm hit New Orleans. Perhaps if more of the able-bodied New Orleans’ residents got off their butts and went to work, there wouldn’t be 100,000 of them in my hometown complaining about their freebies running out. The problem that arises with the NOCC’s newfound backbone is that those unwilling to work for their handouts in New Orleans are simply not being welcomed back home… which means they keep their laziness (and crime) in Houston.

I’m all for helping those in need, but Jerry Maguire summed it up pretty well…

The new Major League Soccer franchise in Houston may be getting a new name soon thanks to ridiculous hypersensitivity and insane political correctness.

The team, formerly known as the San Jose Earthquakes, relocated to Houston in December and picked up the name Houston 1836. While the name was quite dumb to begin with, it was supposed to signify the year in which the city of Houston was founded. However, 1836 was also the year Texas declared its independence from Mexico… and that’s what is causing the problems.

Apparently there’s a community of hypersensitive Mexicans living around here that are still offended by Mexico’s defeat by the great Sam Houston. They call themselves “Mexican-Americans” but one has to wonder why they even bother to hyphenate if they’re going to maintain allegiance to their former country instead of celebrating the victories of their current homeland.

Many Hispanics have voiced their dislike for the controversial name, claiming it carries an anti-Mexican sentiment and lends itself to be a divisive tool among Houstonians.

No, it’s the hyphenated citizens that are making it a divisive issue. For the rest, Texas independence is something to celebrate. Besides, it’s just a date. A date that signifies other things besides Mexico’s loss to Texas. How can a date be “anti” anything? It’s a year… a measurement of time. Talk about your all time political correctness insanity.

But if Texas independence is so offensive to these folks, may I suggest they simply remedy the situation and make a run for the border. I mean, seriously… are they American or aren’t they?

It’s a disservice to the brave Texas heroes, who took a stand at the Alamo or the Battle of San Jacinto, to change the name simply because it’s deemed by some to be anti-Mexican. What’s next, a name change for the city?

Houston, TX is one of 31 cities that have been invited by the GOP to bid on hosting the 2008 RNC Convention.
Others:
Lawrence Simon wonders whether Houston can meet the “20,000 available hotel rooms” considering our Cajun guests are still hanging around like that drunk ex-girlfriend on your lawn at 3:00 in the morning that just won’t go home.