Woman Charged Over New York Firefighter Ambush Gun

[Bumbero 130]

Woman Charged Over New York Firefighter Ambush Gun

By RUSSELL GOLDMAN

Dec. 28, 2012

Authorities have charged a woman for allegedly providing a convicted killer with the Bushmaster AR-15 assault rifle he used when he ambushed four volunteer firefighters and an off-duty cop at a fire scene in upstate New York on Christmas Eve, federal prosecutors said.

Dawn Nguyen, 24, was arrested today after allegedly making an illegal purchase of the weapon used by William Spengler, 62, who set a house and car on fire in Webster, N.Y., the morning of Dec. 24, then shot dead two firemen and himself.

Nguyen is facing federal and state charges for acting as a "straw purchaser," buying the Bushmaster assault weapon as well as a shotgun with the intention of giving it to someone who cannot legally purchase it himself, said U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul.

Authorities accuse Nguyen of lying about being the sole owner of the weapons when making the purchase, a violation of federal law.

As an ex-convict, Spengler could not have legally owned or purchased the weapons himself.

Nguyen, center, was arrested in... View Full Size WHAM13/ABC NewsDawn Nguyen, center, was arrested in connection to a shooting in Webster, NY that occurred on Dec. 24, 2012, leaving 2 firefighters dead and two injured.

Officials on How Weapons Got into Webster, NY, Gunman's Hands

"Dawn Nguyen told the seller of these weapons that she was to be true owner and buyer of these guns," said Hochul. "It is absolutely against federal law to provide any materially false information" on a firearms application.

As Hochul announced the charges, Nguyen was in a nearby court. It was unknown whether she entered a plea, and her lawyer could not be immediately contacted.

In addition to the rifle and shotgun, Spengler was found with a pistol, which authorities believe he used to kill himself by shooting himself in the head.

After apparently setting the fires, Spengler began shooting at emergency responders, officials have said. The attack left two firefighters and the gunman dead, and two other firefighters hospitalized.

Police officer John Ritter recieved shrapnel injuries at the scene but was discharged quickly from the hospital.

In a typewritten note found at the scene, Spengler revealed that he obtained the weapons from Nguyen, who for a time lived next door to him in Webster, Hochul said.

In that same note, Spengler pledged to see "how much of the neighborhood I can burn down." He said he wanted to "do what I like doing best, killing people."

Police said Spengler set a "trap" in order to ambush the first responders.

Firefighters Michael Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka were gunned down. Two other firefighters, Joseph Hofsetter and Theodore Scardino, remained in guarded condition at a Rochester, N.Y. hospital.

http://abcnews.go.com/News/woman-charged-york-firefighter-ambush-gun/story?id=18084774

Edited December 29, 2012 by Bumbero

[Jahwaree 83]

Why did he not shoot the purchaser too, if he wants to kill ppl?I think

everyone knew he was an ex-con , so she must have known. her behind should

get life.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Hard to tell with that sweat shirt but she looks like she could be a possible hottie.

[Bumbero 130]

Why did he not shoot the purchaser too, if he wants to kill ppl?I think

everyone knew he was an ex-con , so she must have known. her behind should

get life.

I agree! I really hope they don't give her a slap on the wrist for this. The charges are not substantial yet. Maybe they can figure out a way to add a murder charge or at least manslaughter.

Hard to tell with that sweat shirt but she looks like she could be a possible hottie.

Yeah, I wonder how the nasty 60 year old ex-con managed to talk HER in to helping him?

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

I agree! I really hope they don't give her a slap on the wrist for this. The charges are not substantial yet. Maybe they can figure out a way to add a murder charge or at least manslaughter.

Yeah, I wonder how the nasty 60 year old ex-con managed to talk HER in to helping him?

Must have been a smooth talking one. I'm surprised she would be that dumb.

[Dakine10 5,452]

Roughly 1 in 10 illegally owned firearms are straw purchases. The maximum sentence for this in federal court is 10 years. Hopefully she gets the full monty.

[Bumbero 130]

Must have been a smooth talking one. I'm surprised she would be that dumb.

You think we will hear any surprising news about this? Like an affair for "immigration" purposes? A little quid pro quo?

Roughly 1 in 10 illegally owned firearms are straw purchases. The maximum sentence for this in federal court is 10 years. Hopefully she gets the full monty.

I hope so. It would be nice if the judge throws the book at her. Like I said, I'm still hoping they figure out how to tie in some sort of murder or manslaughter charge.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

There would be no need for straw purchasing if we didn't have so many stupid gun laws!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Why did he not shoot the purchaser too, if he wants to kill ppl?I think everyone knew he was an ex-con , so she must have known. her behind should get life.

Bingo. She should be charged as an accessory to first degree murder. Two counts. And she should get the max on each count to be served consecutively. Any person making a gun available to a perpetrator should be charged as an accessory to the crime that is committed with that gun. Whether you sold that weapon at a gun show or over the internet or in a dark back alley - don't matter. You provided the murder weapon, you will face the music.

[james&olya 1,121]

Hard to tell with that sweat shirt but she looks like she could be a possible hottie.

Stupid is not sexy!

Roughly 1 in 10 illegally owned firearms are straw purchases. The maximum sentence for this in federal court is 10 years. Hopefully she gets the full monty.

Add accessory to murder!

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

In order to convict her as an accessory, they must prove that she had knowledge he would commit the crime of murder.

Edited December 29, 2012 by Usui Takumi

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

In order to convict her as an accessory, they must prove that she had knowledge he would commit the crime of murder.

So change the law. The death of these two firefighters is directly related to the criminal actions of this woman. She ought to be held accountable for these deaths. Or just lengthen the sentence for straw purchases of firearms. Make it count so that you can do it only once because you'll spend the rest of your days where you can't purchase firearms.

Edited December 30, 2012 by Mr. Big Dog

[Darnell 8,478]

maybe she's an aspiring land developer, and the two of them had some plan for redevelopment?

[Bumbero 130]

So change the law. The death of these two firefighters is directly related to the criminal actions of this woman. She ought to be held accountable for these deaths. Or just lengthen the sentence for straw purchases of firearms. Make it count so that you can do it only once because you'll spend the rest of your days where you can't purchase firearms.

If they can set an example with this case and find a way to charge/convict her of accessory, it might make people think twice before that "straw" purchase. Two firefighter deaths directly related to her purchase of a firearm. She needs to pay for it.

[Darnell 8,478]

After googling Dawn Nguyen,

this article seems (to me) to be complete:

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20121228/NEWS01/312280028/Webster-suspect-speaks-arrest-imminent

have a read?