Monday, October 01, 2012

Czech president shot by air-gun-wielding assailant

In an eerie scene captured on video, Czech President Vaclav Klaus is approached by an armed assailant and shot in the arm. However, the attacker, who was dressed in camouflage, was carrying an "airsoft" gun that fires only harmless, plastic [airsoft bb] shells.

Airsoft guns are replicas of actual firearms, bearing a striking similarity to the real thing. They have become a popular alternative to paintball for recreational purposes. You can even buy airsoft guns modeled after firearms used in science-fiction films such as "Aliens."

"You really did not manage this well," Klaus, 71, reportedly told his bodyguards, in what may be the understatement of the year, as reported by local television station Nova.

In the video, the attacker simply walks up to Klaus and shoots him in the arm without anyone apparently taking notice. Klaus gives him a confused, stern look before turning back to the crowd he was greeting. He was reportedly taken to the hospital after the incident but suffered only minor bruises after the incident.

Even if his intentions were not lethal, the attacker apparently had a political message, saying the Czech government was "blind and deaf to the laments of the people," before being taken away by police.

However, the most interesting aspect of the aftermath may be that the attacker, who described himself as a 26-year-old communist sympathizer, was able to give an interview to the station before police apprehended him.


You can watch full video of the incident, including the attacker's interview, below:


No comments:

Post a Comment