The Democrat & Chronicle continues digging in to the past of Frank Garcia, the accused killer of four local people across the region last weekend. I failed to accurately read the materials on their site and assumed the references in his writings were to the National Guard and not to the New York Guard.

The New York Guard’s mission is to:

* Provide augmentation and support to other State Military Components in the execution of their State Missions and their in-state federal training.
* Provide Aid to Civil Authorities and Humanitarian Support to the State Emergency Management Office, State and Local Governmental Agencies during domestic emergencies.
* Conduct missions to enhance the quality of life in our communities and for our citizens.
* Support the mobilization and deployment of New York National Guard units.
* Perform other missions as assigned by The Adjutant General and the Governor of the State of New York.
* Be prepared to assume the State Defense Missions of other State Military Components upon their federalization.

The New York Guard are unpaid, non-military volunteers. They are not issued weapons.

It is troubling that Garcia was a member of the Guard. It is very troubling that his written communications use right wing militia terms such as “the New World Order”. It is extremely troubling that a Guard officer provided a letter of recommendation for his pistol permit application attesting to Guard authorized weapons training and certifications.

The questions around how Garcia obtained his pistol permit after several denials remain. However, it is certainly possible that he would have obtained and used a gun without having the permit. The permit did not cause his acts of violence.

In a novel twist, Frank Garcia, the suspect in the 4 weekend murders, had a legal pistol permit. It may be the only murder in several years in this area committed by a legal handgun.

Today’s Democrat & Chronicle reports on his multi-year attempts to acquire a permit, as well as his prior criminal record. Outstanding leg work by reporters Brian Sharp and Meaghan McDermott.

The story online is accompanied by copies of all the various documents which is exactly the way a story ought to appear on the Net.

After a slow start, all the local media have been working hard on this story. Garcia’s work history has been explored as well as how he knew the two female victims in the case. Lots of background from neighbors and friends filling in the picture of who the four were and what their lives had been.

Despite his arrest record, he was able to obtain an Registered Nurse license and a pistol permit. He was also able to serve in the military and the National Guard. That would suggest that he was never convicted of a felony.

It is worth noting the language used by Garcia in appeal letters. Referrals to the New World Order and the Republic of New York would lead me to believe that he was interested in militia issues and other far-right perspectives on politics in the U.S.

Accused murderer Frank Garcia pleaded not guilty in Sweden Town court to two counts of First Degree Murder and one count of attempted murder at his arraignment last night. He is charged with the murders of Mary Sillman and Randall Norman and the attempted murder of Audra Dillon.

A Lakeside Health spokesman calls Randy Norman “a hero”.

Mary Sillman started with Lakeside as a CNA in their long term nursing facility in October. Garcia was let go by Lakeside last week. He was hired in late October or early November. His was a per diem position, a nursing supervisor on off-shifts at the long term nursing facility. He was an RN. His RN registration

The Lakeside spokesman cannot comment on Garcia’s employment history or reason for termination.

A memorial service is being planned in Brockport.

Christopher Glatz was an administrator at the Quail Summit assisted nursing facility in Canandaigua. Kimberly Glatz worked at F.F. Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua and was a student at Nazareth College and Finger Lakes Community College according to her MySpace page.