Suspect Sought In Capitol Shooting

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Sep 21, 2004 12:35PM

Police are searching Springfield for a 24-year-old man wanted for gunning down an unarmed security guard in the Capitol building yesterday. They have no idea what his motive was, but have identified the suspect as Derek W. Potts and are accusing him of murder, burglary and more. Potts is white, 5'8" and 125 pounds.

Police say Potts drove up to the Capitol's main enterance, walked in, shot Wozniak in the chest, walked out, put his gun in the trunk of his car (either a Honda or Toyota without license plates) and drove away, tires squealing as witnesses called for help.

In Potts' apartment, just 2 blocks from the Capitol, police found a gun that was stolen a week ago from Birds 'N Brooks Army Navy Surplus, a military surplus store. Shortly before the Capitol shooting, someone matching Potts' description tried to steal more guns from the same store. The owner recognized him, fired 3 shots at him through his office door, missed (but hit his own son!), and the robber fled.

Wozniak leaves behind a wife, Sheila, a 16-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. He had moved to the small community of Petersburg a long time ago to escape the violence of Detroit.

Maybe it's just us, but don't you think it's weird to have security guards at entrances, but to have them unarmed?? Like, we understand why our office security guards are unarmed.. because.. uh.. if someone wants to steal our work we will gladly hand it over, no gun needed. But this is the freaking Capitol where scary shit can happen. Give the guard a gun.. or at least a bulletproof vest.