Via Facebook.
Joshua Flashman of Stratford, Connecticut, is the source cited by Fox News as providing a possible motive of Sandy Hook shooter Adam Lanza. Fox suggests that Adam learned his mom, Nancy, was planning to put her disturbed, 20-year-old son in a psychiatric facility — and additionally Adam was jealous of the young children she volunteered with.
It’s a tidy explanation for why Adam “snapped” and why he targeted young children at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
But who is Flashman and does he really have inside knowledge? Did Fox overreach with its use of his comments? Here’s what we know about him.
1. He’s a Retired U.S. Marine
Flashman pictured on Memorial Day.
According to Flashman’s Facebook page, the Lance Corporal served as a “0311 – Infantry Rifleman; 8152 – USMC Security Forces Guard, Personnel Reliability Program.” He also lists his favorite quote as “Semper Fidelis,” the well-known Marine motto of “Always Faithful.”
2. He’s from the Area where the Massacre Took Place
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Flashman grew up on the Sandy Hook/Monroe town line. Fox describes him as a “lifelong” resident of the area with knowledge of the family. He was born in Southbridge, Massachusetts, and now lives in Stratford, Connecticut.
3. He Was Not Intimately Acquainted with the Lanza Family
Adam Lanza.
Flashman was quoted by Fox News as saying:
Adam Lanza believed she cared more for the children than she did for him, and the reason he probably thought this [was the fact that] she was petitioning for conservatorship and wanted to have him committed. I could understand how he might perceive that — that his mom loved him less than she loved the kids, loved the school. But she did love him. But he was a troubled kid and she probably just couldn’t take care of him by herself anymore.
But how well does Flashman know the family? He offers some clarity in the comment section of this article:
I knew OF Adam Lanza. I was aquainted with his older brother Ryan growing up, because he was my age and my grade. I saw the Lanzas around town, and Adam was always just Ryan’s awkward little brother.
I told the reporter about what was being said in town. Nothing more. Nothing less.
And on Twitter, after the Fox reports, he wrote:
@soderstromk @jimchap @g33kspeak I told a reporter what the people in town were saying about Adam Lanza’s motive, & next thing I know, I’m
— Joshua Flashman (@JoshuaFlashman) December 19, 2012
@soderstromk @jimchap @g33kspeak “intimately aquainted” with the Lanza family and knew Adam’s motives first hand. Funny, I didn’t know that!
— Joshua Flashman (@JoshuaFlashman) December 19, 2012
Oh, and @dailykos … Fox approached ME and spent TWO DAYS trying to convince me to go on the record. But I just wanted to get on tv, right?
— Joshua Flashman (@JoshuaFlashman) December 19, 2012
4. He’s an Aspiring Actor and Model
This is according to Flashman’s Twitter. The above picture from Joshua’s account describes that he is: “Almost at my target size/weight for the Agency.” The agency is unknown.
5. He’s the Son of a Local Pastor
Richard Flashman, Joshua’s father, is a pastor at Beacon Hill Evangelical Free Church in Monroe, Connecticut.
His father, Richard, is a pastor in the area around Newtown. Six-year-old victim Jesse Lewis, his mother and grandmother attended his church, according to Flashman. Though Joshua describes himself as “Half Jewish/Half Italian,” he also states that he “believes in Jesus.”
6. He Wrote A Piece on Gun Control for CNN
Also on Flashman’s Twitter is a brag that he is an “expert” on the 2nd Amendment. So much so that he wrote a CNN piece about it.
He also is a member of numerous pro-NRA pages on Facebook, though it is unknown if he is an NRA member.
7. He’s been Involved in Some Interesting Debates on Twitter Since the Massacre
Actual tweet from @annabelpark “I’m infuriated that you’re using Newtown 2 tell ppl to stfu when we need 2 talk about gun control.” #fuckyou
— Joshua Flashman (@JoshuaFlashman) December 18, 2012
Flashman is adamant that the massacre should not spur a witch hunt against the NRA, something he isn’t shy about discussing on Twitter.
8. His Mom is a Teacher in the Area
According to state records, Joshua’s mother is a teacher at Fairfield Middle School in Connecticut. She is listed as a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, while also working in nutrition. She and her husband, Richard, have two other sons.
9. He’s Not a Fan of President Obama
When he read the names off, & what he said about our town moved me 2 tears, & I’m not ashamed to say that I was grateful 2 my President 4 it
— Joshua Flashman (@JoshuaFlashman) December 18, 2012
Though he remarked how proud he was of the President Obama’s initial remarks on the massacre, this quickly turned to distaste when the conversation turned to gun control.
HOWEVER… When we realized he was bringing up gun politics during the speech, things at the bar got REALLY REALLY UGLY….
— Joshua Flashman (@JoshuaFlashman) December 18, 2012
10. He Described Adam Lanza as “Really, Really Angry”
Nancy Lanza, who Flashman says planned to commit her son to a psychiatric facility — a move that Flashman believes set Adam Lanza off on a murderous rampage.
Telling Fox News, Flashman said:
He thought she just wanted to send him away. From what I understand, he was really, really angry.”