Preceded by Jason Willett Role American Politician Party Democratic Party | Children Christian and Chase Name Bill Gwatney | |
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Full Name William A. Gwatney Assassinated August 13, 2008, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States | ||
Obama linked to 2008 murder of dnc chair bill gwatney and death of rep stephanie jones 1 2
Bill Gwatney (August 26, 1959 – August 13, 2008) was an American politician who served as the State Chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas. Prior to being State Chair, he was a State Senator for ten years. He had also been the financial chair for Mike Beebe's run for Governor of Arkansas in 2006. He owned three car dealerships in Pulaski County. Gwatney was selected as a superdelegate at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, but died before the convention. He was replaced by his widow Rebecca Rankin.
Contents
- Obama linked to 2008 murder of dnc chair bill gwatney and death of rep stephanie jones 1 2
- Obama linked to 2008 murder of dnc chair bill gwatney and death of rep stephanie jones 2 2
- Death
- Honors
- References
Obama linked to 2008 murder of dnc chair bill gwatney and death of rep stephanie jones 2 2
Death
On August 13, 2008, Gwatney was killed by Timothy Dale Johnson, who entered Democratic Party headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas and shot Gwatney three times. Gwatney was taken to a hospital, but died later that day.
The gunman had said he wanted to speak with Gwatney about volunteering, but sidestepped his assistant when she said he was busy. After the shooting, the gunman fled the scene in his truck and led police on a 30-mile (48 km) chase out of Little Rock. Johnson was killed by police after a PIT maneuver forced him off the road into a field near Sheridan. No motive was discovered, except Johnson quitting his job at a Target retail store earlier that day.
Honors
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) Athletic Department posthumously inducted Gwatney into their Hall of Fame during a ceremony prior to the tip-off of the men's basketball game vs. New Orleans on February 26, 2009.