Mayor Johnny Piper, with full support of the Council, said the present 2nd floor chambers would not be used again and that plans to relocate the Council to new quarters would proceed immediately. Any new meeting place must meet one key criteria: hi tech security in the form of a metal detector.

Piper has been adamant in his statements that no further city meetings will be held in locations without metal detectors. Possible meeting sites include the County Commission chambers or the School Board facilities. The city had already begun a search for large quarters prior to the shooting; no one questions that a return to the scene of the shooting would acerbate the trauma for all involved.

Citing “security for our citizens, security for our elected officials,” the mayor indicated that development of a new facility will move quickly.

Unlike the County Courthouse, City Council Chambers and City Hall do no have metal detectors in place. A sign banning firearms was posted in Council chambers and a police officer was stationed at the meeting, but that did not keep Ward from walking into the meeting with a small handgun in his pocket.

Though Ward tragically turned the gun on himself, it could just have quickly been turned on the Council or the audience, a fact that began to sink in even as the horror unfolded.

On October 7, a young Wisconsin police department employee killed six people for a reason yet undetermined. And not a week goes by that seemingly random, or completely unanticipated shootings claim the lives of the innocent, and often of the shooter as well.

Funeral services for Ward were held Sunday from the Neal-Tarpley Chapel.

It is the new reality, though, that security — the metal detectors, the wands, the searches of bags and briefcases — are so necessary.

The City Council is expected to meet between Oct.10-17 to complete its agenda, but the date, time and location has yet to be announced.

What is certain is that, despite other controversial agenda items including the Peacher’s Mill ‘meandering sidewalk,’ this first meeting will be a subdued Council gathering.

– Charles Cureton to NewsChannel 5/Nashville

Cureton was in City Council Chambers when Clarksville businessman Bo Ward, owner of Bo’s Barber Shop on Fort Campbell Boulevard, committed suicide Thursday evening before the Council and an estimated fifty people attending the meeting after a zoning request he was seeking was denied a reading.

Few words can adequately describe the horror that unfolded in City Council chambers tonight as Clarksville businessman Bo Ward, proprietor of Bo’s Barber Shop on Fort Campbell Boulevard, pulled out a handgun and shot himself to death before the council and approximately 50 other people.

“People were screaming in disbelief. Horror. The room was pretty well packed and there were a lot of elderly people there. They were pretty shaken up.” — Cureton

The City Council councilors voted down Ward’s request for a zone change on his Madison Street property, a move that Ward felt would sink him financially. Last month the Council voted favorably on the first reading of the requested change, but apparently in further discussion shifted their decision out of Ward’s favor.

According to reports, Ward then pulled out a small silver gun from a pants pocket, placed the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger as onlookers watched in shock.

In addressing the Council Ward said his business “would go under” without a favorable ruling, implying that his business and finances may have been overburdened. Ward then approached the council members and Mayor Johnny Piper after the vote, saying he “was done” [Leaf Chronicle 10/4/07] and implying that his business would become insolvent.

The Bo’s sign, his slogan “Bo Knows Hair,” and the log cabin style building that housed his shop were a familiar site to commuters making the daily run along Fort Campbell Boulevard. The shop is located near Tobacco Road. His $9 haircuts were a bit pricier than some, but satisfied customers were the heart of his business.

The specifics of Ward’s financial issues and what might have driven him to suicide were not yet known.

The police detained people for questioning and to review the eyewitness accounts of the event. It is not known exactly how much of the event was recorded on Council cameras, but ward was reportedly within six feet of a microphone used by people addressing the Council when he committed suicide.

Unlike the city’s police station and courthouse, which have heavy security and metal detectors in place, the City Council Chambers does not have any such security measures, a situation which allowed Ward to carry a handgun into the building.

The City Council councilors voted down Ward’s request for a zone change on his Madison Street property, a move that Ward felt would sink him financially. Last month the Council voted favorably on the first reading of the requested change, but apparently in further discussion shifted their decision out of Ward’s favor.

According to reports, Ward then pulled out a small silver gun and shot himself in the head as onlookers watched in shock.

In addressing the Council Ward said his business “would go under” without a favorable ruling, implying that his business and finances may have been overburdened. Ward then approached the council members and Mayor Johnny Piper after the vote, saying he “was done” [Leaf Chronicle 10/4/07] and implying that his business would become insolvent.

The Bo’s sign, his slogan “Bo Knows Hair,” and the log cabin style building that housed his shop were a familiar site to commuters making the daily run along Fort Campbell Boulevard. The shop is located near Tobacco Road. His $9 haircuts were a bit pricier than some, but satisfied customers were the heart of his business.

The specifics of Ward’s financial issues and what might have driven him to suicide were not yet known.

The police detained people for questioning and to review the eyewitness accounts of the event.

Unlike the city’s police station and courthouse, which have heavy security and metal detectors in place, the City Council Chambers does not have any such security measures, a situation which allowed Ward to carry a handgun into the building.