I lost my son in war, I don't like taxes, and my truck is about to be repossessed. I hate the federal government.

Disabled Va. standoff suspect was angry at the government

Dec 24 2009

By MITCH WEISS - Associated Press Writer


WYTHEVILLE, Va.— A man accused of taking three people hostage in a Virginia post office told them he was angry at the federal government because his son had died in Afghanistan and his beloved truck was about to be repossessed, one of the hostages said Thursday.

Suspected hostage-taker Warren "Gator" Taylor, 53, of Sullivan County, Tenn., was arraigned Thursday on kidnapping and other federal charges. The hostages were released unharmed after about eight hours Wednesday and Taylor surrendered without incident.

Federal officials said Taylor was angry at the federal government and told them he had planned the standoff for months or years. He had a list of grievances against the government: for the death of his son, for taxing Americans and because his truck was going to be repossessed.