Anti-Abortion Protester Arrested in Shooting: “A Moment of Hope” Founder Charged
Mark Baumgartner, the executive director of the anti-abortion nonprofit A Moment of Hope, has been arrested in connection to a shooting near a Columbia Planned Parenthood clinic. The 56-year-old has been charged with Assault & Battery of a High & Aggravated Nature and Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime. Footage of the incident shows Baumgartner pepper-spraying and then shooting the victim after an initial confrontation. The victim was taken to a local hospital and has since been released, while a petition calling for Baumgartner’s removal from his position has gained hundreds of signatures.
John Q. Hosedrinker