The 2001 State Fair of Texas ended on a downbeat when an attendee was shot during the closing weekend.
Nancy Nolen, 57, was struck in the back by a small-caliber bullet after it passed through the seat of her electric cart. No one in the vicinity has admitted to seeing anyone with a gun, although one fairgoer said she heard a bang, which she admits may have just been a balloon popping.
Investigators are hoping that by examining the electric cart's seat, they will be able to determine the bullet's path and range. Detective Paul DeMaagd said that it's possible that the bullet was fired from outside the fairgrounds.
Nolen was not seriously injured and was released from the hospital the next day, the final day of the fair.
Officials say they are stumped as to how a gun could have gotten into the fairgrounds, considering the heightened security this year, which was implemented in reaction to the recent terrorist attacks.
Texas Twisted Commentary:
I attended the fair on the same day the shooting occurred and I can tell you exactly how a gun could have gotten into the fairgrounds.
Because I was there to photograph Big Tex, I arrived with my backpack-style camera bag, loaded with various photographic equipment. I was aware of the "heightened security" due to its extensive coverage in the news media — all attendees being scanned with metal-detecting wands and all bags being searched. I was fully prepared, and more than happy, to comply with all security procedures.
When I arrived at the entrance, I was surprised to see dozens of fairgoers entering without so much as a metal scan. The only guard I saw, a bewildered young man in his early twenties, did nothing but stare. The only person I saw him stop was me. He asked me to step out of line so he could check my bag. I removed it and began setting it on the ground so it could be opened. However, before I could do so, he stopped me and had me hold it up so that he could scan it with his metal detector. As I suspected it would, the wand emitted a constant shrill, indicating a concentration of metal.
With this discovery, the young man inquired, "It's all metal, right?" I replied, "Yes. Camera stuff."
"Okay," he confirmed, and motioned me to pass.
For all he knew, I was toting a bag full of guns. I highly encourage those in charge of security to do better next year. |
