Archive: May 2005
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Monday - May 30, 2005
Memorial Day
'Took this picture last month at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.
I think I'll link to the same story I did last year: The Name in the Stone by Gerard Van der Leun.
Tuesday - May 24, 2005
More on the shooting
The mystery's been solved. Apparently, our building was a target of convenience. An arrest warrant was issued on Friday for the crime of Deadly Conduct (a third degree felony). The suspect is an ex-professor in the Electrical Engineering department. He was apparently fired in 2001 and has been "suspected of Criminal Mischief, Stalking, and Deadly Conduct for the past 4 years." This according to the Affidavit for Warrant of Arrest and Detention that was filed when the arrest warrant was issued. He has apparently been targeting the Dean of the College and the Chairman of the Electrical Engineering department since his termination. Quoting further from the affidavit (typos and poor grammar in original):
On or about the anniversary date of termination, holidays, and graduation the above said people have been victims of vandalism in which spray paint, paint balls, BB guns, and now what appears to be a shot gun and a 22 caliber weapon have been used.
Reportedly on the morning of 5-20-05 at approximately 3:30 am [the Dean's wife] heard what appeared to be gunshots. Captured on surveillance tape on 5-20-05 at approximately 3:32 am a 2000 tan over green Ford Mustang believed to be owned by [the suspect], drives directly infront of the [Dean's] residence ([address deleted]). The survailance cameras again capture the vehicle driving by the [Dean's] house at 3:34 and and also shows the occupant of the vehicle firing two potentially deadly rounds from a firearm were fired in the direction of the [Dean's] residence, striking the [Dean's] 1994 Acura.
At approximately 3:40 am on the above said date [the Chairman's] residence at [address deleted] was also targeted. In which a potentially deadly round from firearm was fired at the residence and entered through the front door, lodging into the television set.
Also during the night the University of Texas was targeted, specifically the Petroleum Building in their Engineering Department, where rounds from a weapon were also fired at the building.
It is also documented through gate access and surveillance tape that [the suspect] return to his residence at approximately 4:00 am on the same date.
Based numerous reports, ongoing investigations, statements, surveillance tapes, and evidence it is Affiant's belief that on 5-20-05 [the suspect] knowingly discharged a firearm in the direction of a habitation. Therefore committing the offense of Deadly Conduct/ Third Degree Felony.
By the way, I'm not including people's names and addresses in this post because I don't want this page coming up on any search engine results. So, the question is: why target the Petroleum Engineering building if the Dean and the Chairman in question aren't over here? Why not target their buildings? Well, our building is located at the edge of campus. You can drive by and shoot at our door without ever having to leave the comfort of your vehicle. And, then make a quick getaway. We are part of the cluster of Engineering buildings. So, the message, oblique as it might be, is still getting across. I guess.
I hope this means the whole thing is over.
PS: One of the most shocking bits of information to come out of the affidavit is that the Dean's car is 11 years old! Wow. Heh.
Monday - May 23, 2005
Campus Watch #25
From today's Campus Watch crime report:
Deadly Conduct (Chemical Petroleum Engineering, 200 East Dean Keeton)
An unidentified subject caused damage to an exterior door and a glass window pane in a second exterior door located on the west side of the building. The damage consisted of a small hole in a metal door and a hole in the window pane which, based on the evidence at the scene, is believed to have been caused by two small items striking the door and glass window pane with great velocity. Repair cost: $300.00. Discovered on 5-20-05 at 5:50 AM. UTPD would like to establish a specific time frame for this incident. Anyone who had seen or knew of this damage prior to 5-20-05 at 5:50 AM is encouraged to contact Det. Riojas at 232-9641.
So, there's the followup to Friday's post. It's very curious to me that they don't just come out and say that the "two small items" are bullets. Very very odd, doncha think? Anyway, there's apparently no news. 'Course, they wouldn't necessarily be giving us any news if they had any.
Friday - May 20, 2005
More shots fired at our building
I'm beginning to think someone doesn't like us. Someone shot at our building on the weekend of April 23rd (I wrote about it on the 25th). 'Got to work today to find that it's happened again. This time, rather than the main door, they shot at the doors about 30 yards to the north...the entrance to the class-room area. Here's how the door looked this morning just after the police left:
The broken glass in the lower part of the door shows where one of the bullets struck. The bullet went through both panes of glass. I drew a yellow circle around a second bullet hole in the door frame.
Here's a photo of the glass from the inside:
Here's a close-up of the bullet hole in the door frame:
And, a shot of the dimple left by the bullet on the inside of the door frame (complete with crime scene tape for easy measurement):
I guess the bullet is still in the door frame. Or, maybe they got it out. Who knows? At any rate, this really doesn't seem necessary...this shooting at my building. Why? And, who? I did ask the police officer and detective as they were leaving and they said they didn't know. I hope they find the person (people?) doing this and put a stop to it.
Tuesday - May 17, 2005
Campus Watch #24
From today's Campus Watch crime report:
Theft (University Teaching Center)
A beige Prada purse containing numerous credit cards, a passport, a Tiffany jewelry bag, an 18kt gold sapphire ring with diamonds and a 14kt gold three diamond ring was stolen when it was left inside an unsecured 2nd floor classroom. Loss value: $3,800.00. Occurred on 5-16-05 between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
Wow! That's a lot of bling to be carrying around when you're taking final exams. Wow.
Monday - May 9, 2005
Campus Watch #23
From Friday's Campus Watch crime report (I meant to post this on Friday but forgot about it):
Public Intoxication (2200 Robert Dedman)
A UT student was found "passed out" in the driver's seat of a 2000 Mitsubishi Diamante. Upon approaching the vehicle, the police officer observed the student slump forward activating the vehicle's horn with his forehead. The officer observed evidence that the student had displayed a severe involuntary physical reaction to the over consumption of an alcoholic beverage on the driver's door and in the interior of the vehicle. The student handed the officer a credit card when the officer requested the student's driver's license. When the officer asked the student if he knew where he was, the student replied, "In a compromising position." The student was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was a physical endangerment to himself. Occurred on 5-6-05 at 3:10 AM.
A compromising position? Indeed. The accompanying crime prevention tip notes that too much alcohol can lead you to "a compromising position." Heh.
Sunday - May 8, 2005
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day! We had a good day. I joined the folks, Jennie, and Eddie in Bastrop. It rained a lot this morning. I felt like I was driving through soup as I drove out there. My top speed for most of the drive was about 45 mph. The speed limit on most of the route is 65. 'Took a while longer than normal to get out there, as a result. Dad went up to check on the rain gauges and found something entertaining:
Note how the gauge on the left indicates that it rained 1.9 inches and the one on the right indicates 2.2 inches of rain. Hmmm...which one to believe?
There were a couple of hummingbirds feeding so I took some pictures. Alas, it was still overcast and I had to use a rather long shutter speed. Which means that I couldn't get the detail I wanted. But, I did get a few nice shots:
Those photos are of the same bird. In one, he's just looking around. In the other, he's strutting his stuff! Heh.
And, a few more shots:
Cool, eh?
Thursday - May 5, 2005
Blue Jeepster
I noticed a "new" car parked on the main street outside my house a few days ago. It's cool. It's a Willys Jeepster. I went searching around on the web and, best I can tell, it's a 1948 or 1949 model. I thought the color was particularly remarkable in light of what Bill's doing with his car. It's not the same shade of blue but it's very similar. A couple of pics:
![[Rear/Side View of Jeepster]](http://www.joanna.org/pics/jeepster-1.jpeg)
![[Front/Side View of Jeepster]](http://www.joanna.org/pics/jeepster-2.jpeg)
Yo, Katie! Make sure Bill sees these photos. 'Kay? Thanks.
. . . .
And, on a completely unrelated note: a tale about 100% Customer Satisfaction. Funny stuff.