Tax Protester Crashes Plane Into IRS Office

**Prince** · 02-18-2010, 06:57 PM

Tax Protester Crashes Plane Into IRS Office

Smoke billows from a building after a small private plane crashed there.

AUSTIN, Texas—A pilot slammed his small plane into a seven-story building that housed the local office of the Internal Revenue Service Thursday, apparently killing himself and one agency employee, in what federal officials described as a deliberate suicide attack amid a long-running tax dispute.

The pilot, 53-year-old Andrew Joseph Stack, also set his house on fire before taking off in his single-engine Piper Dakota around 9:40 a.m. local time, investigators said.

Officials said they were evaluating an antigovernment manifesto posted on the Internet earlier Thursday, signed "Joe Stack," which suggested he planned the crash. "Violence not only is the answer, it is the only answer," the author wrote toward the end of a tirade against the IRS posted at 9:12 a.m. on a Web site registered to Mr. Stack. He described himself as a contract software engineer.

The police said they recovered one unidentified body by late Thursday. Thirteen people were injured, including two IRS employees who remained hospitalized for critical injuries. More than 100 IRS employees work at the building.

Officials labeled the crash a criminal, not terrorist, attack. "I consider this a criminal act by a lone individual," said Police Chief Art Acevedo.

Still, the North American Aerospace Defense Command launched two F-16 fighter aircraft to patrol the air after the crash. Spokesman Jamie Graybeal called it "a prudent precaution and consistent with our response to recent similar air incidents."

The White House said President Barack Obama was briefed on the plane crash after noon.

The crash came about an hour after an explosion ripped through Mr. Stack's two-story red brick house in a subdivision a few miles from the site of the crash, neighbors said. The house was quickly engulfed in flames and was gutted by the fire.

Mr. Stack's family declined to comment, according to police officers stationed at a house across the street from the burned-out home.

According to government records, Mr. Stack bought a house in Austin in 2007 and was married in July of that year to Sheryl Mann.

In the 3,200-word manifesto, posted on the Web site Embeddedart.com, Mr. Stack described himself as a recently married, struggling, contract software engineer who left Los Angeles, where he couldn't find work, but didn't have much better luck in Austin.

The author complained bitterly about the IRS, blaming the agency for eroding his retirement savings and causing him financial troubles for years.

First images from Austin, TX, where a small plane has crashed into a building. Courtesy Fox News.

Because of his expenses and lack of income, Mr. Stack wrote, he didn't file a tax return, prompting an IRS audit that cost him $10,000. He wrote that he had other problems involving "Sheryl's unreported income."

"I would only hope that by striking a nerve that stimulates the inevitable double standard, knee-jerk government reaction that results in more stupid draconian restrictions people wake up and begin to see the pompous political thugs and their mindless minions for what they are," the author wrote.

IRS employee Ray Cano listened to the news on his cellphone outside after a plane crashed into his office building.

"Well, Mr. Big Brother IRS man, let's try something different; take my pound of flesh and sleep well," he wrote in conclusion, signing the posting, "Joe Stack (1956-2010)."

The Web site was taken down on Thursday afternoon after a request from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to the president of the Web-hosting service.

The plane crash sent a plume of dark smoke into the air and caused highway shutdowns about 10 miles north of the state capitol.

Witnesses said they saw the plane rapidly approaching the office building, one of four seven-story buildings with black windows, in an office park which sits next to a six-lane corridor near a high-end shopping center.

Matt Downs, a software salesman with offices about a quarter of a mile away, said the plane banked at high speed with the engine at full throttle. It hit between the second and third floors.

Witnesses reported feeling the impact of the crash, followed by flames, thick black smoke and a diesel-like smell.

Alan Fletcher, who was working in an adjacent building, ran into the building and encountered shattered glass everywhere and dazed employees emerging from the smoke.

"The whole building shook; it felt like a car hit our building," said Camille Ziegelhofer, who works at a software company in a nearby building.

Richard Lee, an IRS manager, said the explosion blew out the windows and knocked him to the floor, bruising his back.

He helped others in the building get out, he said, but couldn't get to part of his floor because of neck-high flames.

**Spaullba** · 02-18-2010, 08:07 PM

Crazy...

Dude pulled a jihad on the infidels at the IRS...

All jokes and humor aside, it is a sad incident.

**Pirate!** · 02-18-2010, 08:27 PM

You guys should read his letter. It's on businessinsider.com. Although I don't agree with his actions, his arguement is quite valid. He lived a few miles from me. Sucks for his new family and those that were injured or killed. I wish it would bring more attention to the issue and elicit change.

**Spaullba** · 02-18-2010, 08:30 PM

If this brings attention to the issue it would send a realllly bad message to the rest of the world lol.

**Mudge** · 02-18-2010, 08:44 PM

That we overtax our own people and don't know how to spend it for shit? I think everyone knows.

**Pirate!** · 02-18-2010, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by Spaullba

If this brings attention to the issue it would send a realllly bad message to the rest of the world lol.

How so? Our country should be embaressed.

**Spaullba** · 02-18-2010, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by Mudge

That we overtax our own people and don't know how to spend it for shit? I think everyone knows.

Taxes suck but we are not all that bad off in comparison to ther world as a whole...

Think your taxes are bad? - MSN Money

How so? Our country should be embaressed.

I am saying that if his actions draw attention to the issue it would send the message that shit like that is an effective and appropriate way to get your views across... Perhaps I should have said it would send a bad message to the rest fo the country, not world.

**Fetusaurus Rex** · 02-18-2010, 10:08 PM

Austin news, sports, weather, Longhorns, business | Statesman.com

here is the letter he wrote

**Mudge** · 02-18-2010, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by Spaullba

Taxes suck but we are not all that bad off in comparison to ther world as a whole...

Make no mistake I'm glad to be here in the US, but I still think there is some ridiculous spending. Can't make everyone happy though!

**danzik17** · 02-18-2010, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Spaullba

Taxes suck but we are not all that bad off in comparison to ther world as a whole...

Think your taxes are bad? - MSN Money

I am saying that if his actions draw attention to the issue it would send the message that shit like that is an effective and appropriate way to get your views across... Perhaps I should have said it would send a bad message to the rest fo the country, not world.

Just because our taxes aren't as high as other places doesn't give them cart blanche to blow my money on stupid shit like I see done every single day.

On top of that, my money will be worth even less when inflation finally takes hold a few years down the road. I only hope I can buy some assets before then (a house) so that I can reap the "benefits" of inflation rather than the pain.

**Spaullba** · 02-18-2010, 10:42 PM

Im not saying our spending decisions or our tax rates are great or anything. I just believe that it is a lose-lose issue when dealing with the American public. We would cry foul no matter how low our taxes were tbh...

**Curt James** · 02-18-2010, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by Pirate!

You guys should read his letter. It's on businessinsider.com. Although I don't agree with his actions, his arguement is quite valid. He lived a few miles from me. Sucks for his new family and those that were injured or killed. I wish it would bring more attention to the issue and elicit change.

The Manifesto Of Austin Texas Crash Pilot Joseph Andrew Stack

Originally Posted by Fetusaurus Rex

Austin news, sports, weather, Longhorns, business | Statesman.com

here is the letter he wrote

Fetus beat me to it.

Here's a related bit of trivia, though.

Joseph Andrew Stack Revised His Death Letter 27 Times Before Settling On The Final Draft

**Big Smoothy** · 02-19-2010, 12:15 AM

A pilot slammed his small plane into a seven-story building that housed the local office of the Internal Revenue Service

**GearsMcGilf** · 02-19-2010, 08:05 AM

As much as I hate to say it, I respect this guy. He is a hero. I believe we will see many more martyrs just like him until the broken system we have now is thrown out and replaced.

**DOMS** · 02-19-2010, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by Big Smoothy

I've negged him recently, so I can't. Would someone else be kind enough to neg this douche bag?

Thanks.

**DaMayor** · 02-19-2010, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by DOMS

I've negged him recently, so I can't. Would someone else be kind enough to neg this douche bag?

Thanks.

Yeah, that was over-the-top lame.

I think all of my questions about Smoothy have been answered.

**Spaullba** · 02-19-2010, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Roids1

As much as I hate to say it, I respect this guy. He is a hero. I believe we will see many more martyrs just like him until the broken system we have now is thrown out and replaced.

Please tell me this is sarcasm? If not then this makes you no better than the people who look at the perpetrators of 9/11 as martyrs and heros.. What you believe is right and what is wrong is all a matter of opinion, but how acting on it in these type of ways does not make you a hero...

**DOMS** · 02-19-2010, 11:04 AM

Because killing a secretary is heroic...

**DaMayor** · 02-19-2010, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Roids1

As much as I hate to say it, I respect this guy. He is a hero. I believe we will see many more martyrs just like him until the broken system we have now is thrown out and replaced.

Uhhh, put down the needle...you've had enough juice for the day.

Okay, let's get this straight. People who commit suicide aren't heros...they're PUSSIES. The kid who shoots his classmates? PUSSY. The disgruntled employee? PUSSY. The person who kills his/her family..and then themselves? PUSSY.

Why take innocent people down with you? Just write your thoughts down and eat a bullet......PUSSY.

**Big Smoothy** · 02-19-2010, 09:44 PM

Unfortunately,

I think there will be more acts like this in the next couple of years.

The bailouts - hading taxpayer money (and taxpayer debt) to the elite and corrupt of JP Morgan, AIG, and Goldman Sachs, while working and middle-class people are losing their jobs, any chance at retirement, and their homes.

We'll see more isolated acts of violence, expressed in different ways.

**GearsMcGilf** · 02-19-2010, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by DaMayor

Uhhh, put down the needle...you've had enough juice for the day.

Okay, let's get this straight. People who commit suicide aren't heros...they're PUSSIES. The kid who shoots his classmates? PUSSY. The disgruntled employee? PUSSY. The person who kills his/her family..and then themselves? PUSSY.

Why take innocent people down with you? Just write your thoughts down and eat a bullet......PUSSY.

I was just fukkin around. He had a wife and kids at home, I believe. He burnt their fukkin house down before he crashed his plane. The guy was a whackjob.

**KelJu** · 02-19-2010, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by DaMayor

Uhhh, put down the needle...you've had enough juice for the day.

Okay, let's get this straight. People who commit suicide aren't heros...they're PUSSIES. The kid who shoots his classmates? PUSSY. The disgruntled employee? PUSSY. The person who kills his/her family..and then themselves? PUSSY.

Why take innocent people down with you? Just write your thoughts down and eat a bullet......PUSSY.

They may be crazy, terrible, and murderers, but they aren't pussies.

**maniclion** · 02-20-2010, 04:59 AM

Originally Posted by KelJu

They may be crazy, terrible, and murderers, but they aren't pussies.

Absolutely the pussies are the old men sitting in caves and pentagons telling young men they have to die for the good of their country/beliefs......

**Fetusaurus Rex** · 02-22-2010, 11:36 PM

Joseph Stack's Daughter Samantha Bell Considers Her Dad a Hero - AOL News

**maniclion** · 02-23-2010, 05:26 AM

Is this what our country has stooped to, calling people heroes for terrorist acts? He killed an innocent person with intent to take down as many in that building as he could, the last time I recall this happening everyone called them murderers and evil-doers. I don't care if the guy posted a Manifesto that had answers for all of of the crises we face now, what he did was pure idiocy....

**DOMS** · 02-23-2010, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by Fetusaurus Rex

Joseph Stack's Daughter Samantha Bell Considers Her Dad a Hero - AOL News

I should go over to her place and slit her throat. Then I can be a hero, too.

**DaMayor** · 02-23-2010, 11:39 AM

Well, what else would you expect...I mean, consider the genetic source, y'know?

Winged Wuss...

pffft.

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