Don't miss ALEXIS THORPE as Rianna Miner on Wednesday, June 5
California; Metro Desk; Metro
LOS ANGELES Barricaded Gunman at CBS Studios Shoots Self
JESSICA GARRISON
TIMES STAFF WRITER
05/29/2002
Los Angeles Times
Home Edition
B-3
Copyright 2002 Los Angeles Times
A man shot himself after a four-hour standoff Tuesday at the CBS television studios, where he aimed a gun at an employee and forced an evacuation after bursting into the building, authorities said.
The 29-year-old man was taken to a hospital at 9:15 p.m. with a single gunshot to the chest. He was listed in critical condition at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center late Tuesday.
About 800 CBS employees, including actors and crew members filming "The Young and the Restless" soap opera, were evacuated from the 24-acre facility in the 7800 block of Beverly Boulevard in the Fairfax district.
"At first I thought it was a joke," said David Tom, 24, who plays the character Billy Abbott on the soap opera. Tom was doing a scene in which he was required to act nervous.
He said that when the director told the cast there was a gunman on the lot and they would have to leave, "I thought he was just trying to rile us up a little. Then I realized he was serious."
The man apparently crashed through the CBS Television City parking lot security gate in a pickup truck shortly before 5 p.m. and then strode into the mailroom.
"He said, 'I need help now!' and he put a gun to his head," said Michael Grandinetti, a media coordinator who was in the mailroom.
He said the man then pointed the gun at the mailroom supervisor and pulled the trigger twice. "I heard a clicking sound," but the gun didn't fire, Grandinetti said.
Witnesses said the man expressed fears that Hawthorne police wanted to hurt his family. Hawthorne police said they did not know the man and had no idea why he might fear them.
CBS officials said the incident should not delay the broadcast of any shows
Fairly new to the show herself, KELLY KRUGER (Mac) was excited at the thought of someone new joining the show. But it wasn't as easy to roll out the welcome wagon as she may have thought. When DANIEL QUINN came to the show to portray Mac's abusive stepfather, Kelly's first instinct was to make him feel comfortable, but she admits, "When [Ralph] first came to the show [I thought], 'Oh a new person! I want to help him and show him around, answer any questions he has.' But at the same time, because of what he represents in the storyline and because of certain [technique] work that I am doing at home, when he gets near me I get creeped out and afraid. So, I told him it's nothing personal but I have to stay away from him." Looking forward to seeing how this plays out on air!
Don't miss ALEXIS THORPE as Rianna Miner on Wednesday, June 5
Thad Luckinbill (Y&R's J.T. Hellstrom) has been cast in the WB's "Generation Gap."
David Tom has opted to leave Y&R after completing his 3 year run portraying the character of Billy Abbott. Originally his last air date would have been in May, however he has signed a 13 week extension and the Emmy Award-winning actor will tape his last scenes in July. "David is looking forward to spreading his wings and trying other projects," says his spokesperson. "He wants to challenge himself creatively... He did love his time with Y&R, and it will be difficult to go."