So desperate that, in the process of robbing a pharmacy on Long Island, he shot two employees and two customers.
They had no idea their lives were about to end.
When David Laffer -- apparently a veteran and an out-of-work shipping clerk whose health insurance coverage had run out, meaning no way to pay for his prescription pain pills - was confronted by Suffolk County police, they say he reached for a gun. Clearly, there was some sort of altercation, judging by the mug shot. Mr. Laffer's face shows some serious bruising. He will get little sympathy, of course.
We'll have the latest on the murders, the arrest - and how it happened, which is right out of a Hollywood crime movie script- and the funeral and wakes of the victims, tonight at 11.
We'll also be in midtown Manhattan at Macy's, where the teen throb Justin Bieber caused another stir today - this time when he was knocked down by a guy who stormed the young entertainer while he was introducing his new line of men's cologne.
We're also looking at what appears to be the collapse of the deficit reduction talks between Repubs and Dems, with some conservatives pulling out because they refuse to proceed without a commitment from Pres. Obama to cut taxes.
And speaking of Mr. Obama, he's in New York City tonight, speaking at various fundraisers - including an appearance with gay and lesbian supporters. The timing is coincidental to the drama/entropy in Albany tonight as New York State Senators battle over a possible vote on legalizing same-sex marriage.
Meteorologist Lee Goldberg is tracking more strong weather headed our way; tomorrow will be day three of a trifecta of bad weather. Yesterday it was tornado warnings and downed trees. Today it was lots of rain and flooded streets. We're out and about in it, at 11.
We'll also have any breaking news of the night, plus Laura Behnke (in for Rob Powers) with the night's sports. I hope you can join Sade Baderinwa and me, tonight at 11.
And one more note: this column will be dark tomorrow. It will reappear on Monday.
