The Kirkwood City Council Shooting: A Detailed Account

A Tragic Evening in Kirkwood

On a seemingly ordinary evening in Kirkwood, Missouri, February 7, 2008, would forever be etched in the town's memory. As the clock ticked past 7:00 P.M. CST, a public meeting at the Kirkwood City Hall turned into a scene of chaos and tragedy when a gunman opened fire, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake.

Charles Lee "Cookie" Thornton, a 52-year-old resident of Meacham Park, walked into the city hall with a deadly intent. Earlier, across the side street from the city hall, Thornton encountered Police Sergeant William Biggs, who was on duty but momentarily distracted as he walked to pick up dinner. In a fateful confrontation, Thornton shot Biggs with a Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum revolver, killing him instantly. Before fleeing the scene, Thornton took Biggs' .40-caliber handgun.

With both weapons in his possession, Thornton made his way into the council chambers where the city council meeting had just begun. The participants had barely finished reciting the Pledge of Allegiance when Thornton entered from the back, concealing his weapons until he was close to his targets. Without warning, he fatally shot Police Officer Tom Ballman in the head and continued his rampage, targeting council members and city officials. Amid the chaos, Thornton's voice rang out repeatedly: "Shoot the mayor!"

In a matter of moments, Thornton claimed the lives of council members Connie Karr and Michael H.T. Lynch, Public Works Director Kenneth Yost, and left Mayor Mike Swoboda critically injured with two shots to the head. Reporter Todd Smith also sustained injuries. The room echoed with the sound of approximately 15 gunshots, as Thornton chased City Attorney John Hessel, who managed to slow him down by hurling chairs before escaping.

The gunfire was audible even at the nearby Kirkwood Police Department. Officers rushed to the scene, exchanging fire with Thornton, who was behind a desk in the council chambers. In the ensuing shootout, Thornton was fatally wounded with shots to his neck and abdomen. He died at the scene, ending the horrific episode.

The Aftermath: Lives Altered

The immediate aftermath saw five people dead and two injured. Reporter Todd Smith was treated and released from the hospital within 24 hours, but Mayor Swoboda's injuries were severe. Rushed to St. John's Mercy Medical Center, he underwent surgery to repair wounds to his jaw and head. Although his condition improved over time, Swoboda faced a long road to recovery, including reconstructive surgery and other unknown long-term health effects. Tragically, seven months later, on September 6, 2008, Swoboda passed away in a hospice, also battling cancer.

Charles Lee "Cookie" Thornton: Troubled Past and Motives

Charles Thornton's life was a tapestry of legal strife and financial struggles. A lifelong resident of the predominantly African-American community of Meacham Park, Thornton's troubles began after Kirkwood annexed his neighborhood in 1992. Despite initial support for a commercial development project in Meacham Park, Thornton felt betrayed when he didn't receive the construction contracts he anticipated. This perceived injustice fueled his resentment, leading to numerous legal battles with the city over code violations and unpaid tickets.

Thornton amassed over 150 citations for various infractions, including operating an unlicensed business and illegal dumping. By 2003, he had pleaded guilty or been found guilty of more than 100 charges. Thornton's defiance was evident as he regularly disrupted city council meetings, railing against what he perceived as persecution and fraud by city officials. His legal misadventures culminated in a 2007 federal lawsuit seeking damages for alleged free speech violations, which was dismissed just days before his rampage.

A Community in Mourning

In the wake of the tragedy, Kirkwood mourned deeply. Flags flew at half-staff as the town held vigils and prayer services. Within the Meacham Park community, where Thornton was both a neighbor and a pariah, residents grappled with the complex emotions surrounding his actions. Community leaders and Thornton's family expressed regret over the events, acknowledging the long-standing tensions between Meacham Park and the city of Kirkwood.

Thornton's final act left a one-line note on his bed: "The truth will come out in the end," signaling perhaps a premeditated intent to die. His brother, Gerald Thornton, remarked that Charles viewed his actions as a last resort in a war with the government, highlighting the depth of his disillusionment and anger.

Sources

For a more detailed account, visit the original Wikipedia article on the Kirkwood City Council shooting.