Attorney: Slain Texas prosecutor feared for life, brought gun to work
By Michael Martinez and Mariano Castillo, CNN
updated 11:52 AM EST, Sat February 2, 2013

(CNN) -- The Texas prosecutor shot to death in broad daylight outside a courthouse had feared for his life and carried a gun to work, according to a Dallas attorney describing herself as his friend.

Colleen A. Dunbar told CNN that she spoke with Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse on January 24, and he told her he began carrying a gun in and out of the county courthouse on a daily basis.

Hasse was gunned down in the parking lot while going to work Thursday. Investigators on Friday were reviewing his caseload for possible clues about what led to his killing.

Dunbar described Hasse, whom she had known for 31 years, as a lifelong gun owner and firearms lover.

"He told me he would use a different exit every day because he was fearful for his life," she told CNN.

She said that Hasse offered no specifics on why he felt threatened, but only that he did. Dunbar said she had shared her conversation with Hasse with law enforcement, and that she was "shocked" by the killing.

When told of Dunbar's statements, Chief Deputy Rodney Evans of the Kaufman County Sheriff's Department was unaware of the information.

"But," Evans told CNN, "we've got 50 people here taking phone calls so somebody may know something I don't."

There were no significant advances in the case, Kaufman Police Chief Chris Aulbaugh said Friday, but that doesn't mean investigators weren't busy.

"We've fielded numerous tips coming in from the public. We are following up on every one of them," he said.

Police say they believe one or two people committed the crime, but there are few descriptive details because they hid their faces. Police are looking for a gray or silver older model sedan in relation to the case, Aulbaugh said.

Hasse was shot several times after "a very small, very short confrontation," police said.

Investigators are looking into whether Hasse's killing was retribution for any of the prosecutions he led. Hasse was one of 13 prosecuting attorneys in Kaufman County, each of whom handled between 380 and 390 cases.

Authorities hope that an ever-growing reward for information will reveal more leads.

Donors in the area have raised $64,500 to be used as reward money, and the police chief has asked for more donations.

The Texas Rangers, the FBI and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have joined the manhunt.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/01/justice/t ... Stories%29

I've said it before but it bears repeating ~ my former long-time significant other was a cop/detective ~ he said the only thing scarier and more chaotic than a domestic violence call is any situation involving guns ~ he based his opinion on the fact that far too many gun owners do NOT have either the temperment or the intense training necessary to resolve "show downs" without pulling triggers ~

Sooz

And when they learn that lesson it's usually too late, regardless of how reponsible they are as gun owners.

Yeah. I said that he probably carried a gun...... somewhere, lol. I don't remember which thread.

Not surprising to those of us who can see past the gun nutter clinging to his/her second amendment rights. Yes, they have the right to own guns.

NO, a gun will not really protect you from someone intent on shooting you. THEY have the advantage, since they already know what they are going to do. YOU are tooling along, feeling safe because you carry a gun which you won't have the chance to draw. IMO, it really is that simple. It's not like a sundown, ten paces event, where the odds are a little more even. Yet the citizenry buys into the whole "buy guns to protect yourself" fear mongering campaign.

Hell, even the idiots who try to gun down dozens will get off enough shots to kill or maim many people before a citizen may be able intervene. Is that the line? "I want to carry so that I can save 4 out of 20" Are any deaths acceptable? Obviously the answer at this time is yes. I guess the 16 dead are "collateral damage" in the quest to protect the right to carry guns and have a fully armed populace.

Even trained armed cops don't go into situations without armed backup but Wyatt Earp wannabes think they're invulnerable.

I hate the idea of a bunch of people having guns. Seems to me that if there is a shooting going on in a school or other place with a lot of people, it would be nice if the police could be pretty sure that the guy with the gun is the bad one, instead of having a bunch of fools all shooting each other.

Another good point.

That was at least part of Michael's thoughts too, jeanne ~ figuring out exactly who is the bad guy in a chaotic scenario ~

We've always had security at school given the neighborhood we're in ~ the local police detail has increased their presence and patrols in the area, but we have upped security and security procedures/drills significantly ~ we have a security staff of 4 full-time, and a few to call in if/when needed ~ one is stationed near the front door and that desk is NEVER empty ~ one is stationed on the 2d floor, one on the 3rd floor, and one who floats between all 3 floors ~ our security have prior school security experience, but none carry guns and none are current or retired cops ~ the back door is locked at all times [you can exit but not enter], which forces everyone [teachers, staff, visitors] to use the front doors [which are locked but with a bell to ring for entry] and all visitors [parents, tutors, etc] are required to sign in and out ~ somewhat amazing and sobering to me is that all the kidlets take it all in stride ~

Sooz

sooz, while the kidlets may take it in stride, what sort of generation are we raising? Ones who will look at everyone else with paranoia and suspicion. Prime candidates to buy into the "you must have a gun to defend yourself" mindset. Once they get to college, they won't have that same security. With most university campuses spread out over several (hundred?) acres, they can't afford to have security at every entrance, on every floor and on ever scintilla of open area.

I'm not saying that secured doors and guards are a bad thing in this day and age, but the ensuing psychological effects will be seen in later years.

When my high school integrated, we had armed FBI agents patrolling the hallways. I felt a LOT less secure with them being there for some reason, even though they did prevent a couple of potentially dangerous situations. It made me look for problems, ya know? I was nervous and anxious. Once they left, I felt relieved.

Just a personal observation.

I agree, roseanne, and it is so sad. There are kids who see that as their fate and accept it. We have failed our kids. I think schools like the one sooz works with help a lot in getting the kids to realize their worth and realize that a loss of any one of them is a loss to the world.

I remember when the Rodney King verdict was announced. There were people in the streets protesting in LA. We should all have been protesting. On tv the reporters asked this one young girl what the verdict said to her. She said "my life is worth nothing". That got to me so much. Of course, I wanted to just hold her and tell her that's not true. But then I realized that she was right. That is exactly what that verdict said. As untrue as the statement was, that is what the statement said. It is repeated over and over across the country. I've always thought that if you keep telling people that they are worthless, they may just believe it and act accordingly. They were never given a chance.