RUFUS - The shooting that claimed the lives of 20 protesters on September 8 is still being investigated. The shooter has stopped cooperating with investigators, but they have already issued charges against the shooter including 20 counts of felony murder with a firearm and 20 counts of first degree murder.
Investigators still want to know where the shooter obtained the firearms, as well as what the motive for the shooting was. The shooter is still not giving authorities those answers. But prosecutors say they have enough to charge and push the death penalty on the shooting suspect.
"We've tried to obtain information regarding why the shooter felt it was necessary to kill people who were simply exercising their right to protest," said FCIS Director Sharona Maples. "All we got was a grunt, and eye rolls. Nothing more. We are still trying to understand the shooter's motives, but we do officially have enough to push the death penalty on a federal level. We are seeking other charges but our main focus is to make the death penalty stick. This case is sickening and we will find ways to push the full weight of the law on the shooter. We are not exactly sure the reason for shooting the 20 people, but we are happy to have this individual off the streets."
The shooter has now been identified as a 22 year transgender man, Danielle O'Leary. The shooter is in the process of transitioning from a woman to a man. She will be send Nexton Federal Prison, where she is awaiting trial.
"We have felony murder charges(20 counts), and felony first degree murder charges(20 counts). We aren't going to go easy on this individual," said Jared Schultz, a federal prosecutor. "I will seek death, and that is the only sentence that should be handed out in this case. 20 people were brutally gunned down."