Family, neighbor stunned by spree - News

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Nov. 19, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Family, neighbor stunned by spree

Man's behavior, suicide unexpected

By MAGGIE LILLIS
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Jeffrey J. Hull was the kind of person to bring a thirsty garbage man a glass of water.

And he never gave indications that he would go on a western Las Vegas Valley rampage Sunday, groping women, attempting kidnappings and shooting at people before killing himself.

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So said a neighbor and his brother on Tuesday.

Hull "couldn't have been sweeter," especially to his mother, with whom he lived in northwest Las Vegas, said his brother, Jonathan Hull.

"It's heartbreaking to us that he affected so many people," Jonathan Hull said of his brother, who killed no one but threatened many. "He painted this picture and acted like a monster, but that wasn't him."

Jonathan Hull couldn't pinpoint the root of his brother's condition, saying he appeared fine Sunday morning before the two-hour crime spree began.

But the 42-year-old man did have his problems.

Jeffrey Hull, a security guard, was unemployed. He had filed for bankruptcy. His father died earlier this year, and he was being treated for a yearlong bout with anxiety and depression, the brother said.

Court records show Jeffrey Hull filed for bankruptcy in June and listed the 2005 Volkswagen Beetle and 9 mm handgun he used in his crime spree as assets.

At the time of the filings, he indicated he was an unemployed security guard and had $38,000 in medical bills and debts to several banks.

Jonathan Hull said that Barton Security was his brother's last listed employer and that he did odd jobs to earn money.

He said Hull, an Air Force veteran, was on medication and under the care of a doctor at the VA Medical Center.

A neighbor who asked not to be identified said Jeffrey Hull seemed sadder because his father, David Hull, passed away this year, adding that the entire family is close.

Jonathan Hull said he didn't believe the bankruptcy, death of his father or employment status set Jeffrey Hull on his path of violence.

"I can't see that's what led to what happened," he said. "If it had, it would have to have happened in the preceding weeks."

The family's neighbor said she was the first victim of Jeffrey Hull's rampage. She was sitting in her car when he reached through the window and groped her. When she said she was going to call the police, he drove away.

The woman said they had lived nearby for years. The family brought cookies over during Christmas time.

Jeffrey Hull was always friendly and would offer the garbage man water on hot days.

"You could tell he was different, but he was never aggressive," she said. "His family, they are good people. Nobody deserves this.

"I am praying for them."

Jonathan Hull said he hopes the victims and their families can recover from Sunday's incidents.

"We're very sorry and we hope one day -- whenever that is -- their lives will be normal again," he said.

Review-Journal writer Brian Haynes contributed to this report. Contact reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.

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Please enter your name Name: Please enter your email Email: Please enter a comment COMMENTS : (word count limit is 300) You have reached the maximum number of words allowed Current Word Count: Note: Comments made by reporters and editors of the Las Vegas Review-Journal are presented with a yellow background. lou wrote on November 19, 2008 02:59 PM: I think this case is as simple as he just needed to get laid plain and simple. Poor guy was probably lonely and suffering needed sex. Vic wrote on November 19, 2008 02:00 PM: I knew someone (BJ) would have to say the cops are covering something up. Yeah, that's it, a cover-up. The whole west side of town is in on it too. He didn't do anything wrong, right? Groping people, trying to kidnap kids, going on a high speed chase and putting other lives in danger is something any normal person would do, right? This guy went on a final last roller coaster ride and took himself out. At least no one was hurt, but him. BJ, were you by the grassy knoll when Kennedy was shot too? The guy crashed his car and called it a day. No gunfire by police or stories, just a guy ending it all. It's a shame though, our vets are having so many problems and they are written off instead of honored. RIP Mr. Hull and BJ, get a clue... Justice wrote on November 19, 2008 11:56 AM: BJ, are you whacked as well? Did you even read the stories these past few days? The cops had NOTHING to do with this guy freaking out. He went on a rampage affecting lots of innocent people. Stop blaming the cops for everyone that's bad. This guy did himself in plain and simple. You must have something to hide if you are afraid of cops. You see, I don't and they are my friends. They are there when I need them. You can keep your conspriracy theories to yourself. You folks reading this, keep a look out for BJ to be the next Whack Job doing a real life Grand Theft Auto. BJ wrote on November 19, 2008 09:55 AM: When you have a bunch of corrupt cops write the reports, who make up stories, cover up the facts and out rite lie, then claim it was suicide, has got to have you ask why.. Military PTSD effects alot of vets but they don't kill themselves or go nuts unless they are prevoked, harrassed, or abused by law enforcement. Did the cops beat on his door in the middle of the night? Having no money, no job, no everything then have a cop pull you over becaues your driving a old car doesn't make sence. All of this and more has to be explores before the cops claim it was suicide. fhlunk wrote on November 19, 2008 09:28 AM: Similar incident happened last week up in Reno... middle-aged guy who lived at home snapped after losing his parents. Shot at deputies, then barricaded himself in his house with an AK. Killed himself in the end. cb wrote on November 19, 2008 07:24 AM: Reality Bites, you're exactly right. We are living in some very sad and scary times. I wonder how long these things will go on. Reality Bites wrote on November 19, 2008 07:03 AM: Broke. Depreesed. Off the Meds. Gee, I wonder what caused him to snap? He isn't the first. He won't be the last. This Town is in for a wild ride. K wrote on November 19, 2008 06:22 AM: Perhaps they will find on autopsy that his meds made him insane. Or that he had a brain tumor or something. Somethings not quite right. Someone without any previous episodes of violence suddenly snaps. It's a very sad situation. rJc wrote on November 19, 2008 06:15 AM: Sh*t happens. One cannot read minds.