The personal tragedy that defined Long Island Rep. Carolyn McCarthy's legacy
Former Long Island Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, who died last week, built a legacy on gun-control advocacy — after her husband was killed and son gravely wounded in the 1993 LIRR Massacre.
McCarthy, who died Thursday at age 81, instantly became a grieving face of the gun crisis — and eventually entered politics over the issue — after 35-year-old madman Colin Ferguson launched his murderous spree aboard a train during the evening rush, killing six people and wounding 19 others.
'I always worried about who will speak for the victims,' said McCarthy, a former nurse, shortly before retiring from the House in 2015 after a nearly 20-year stint that earned her the nickname 'the gun lady.'
Advertisement
11 Former Long Island Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, who built a legacy on gun-control advocacy, died last week.
Tamara Beckwith/NY Post
11 Rep. Carolyn McCarthy speaks during a press conference on Capitol Hill in 2013 to introduce the 'Assault Weapons Ban of 2013' legislation to ban assault style weapons and high capacity magazines.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
11 Carolyn McCarthy being sworn into Congress, surrounded by her family.
Mary McLoughlin/NY Post
On Dec. 7, 1993, Ferguson boarded the Hicksville bound-train from Penn Station at the Merillon Avenue stop in Garden City, LI, then calmly walked down the aisle of the third car, pulled out a gun and opened fire on roughly 80 passengers, including McCarthy's loved ones.
Advertisement
The train car's aisles became 'literally littered with bodies' as bullets tore through it, said survivor Tom McDermott, who took a shot to his left shoulder.
Commuter Joseph Giugliano remembered watching in horror as the gunman drew closer, killing the woman sitting next to him as she tried to crawl away.
11 On Dec. 7, 1993, Colin Ferguson launched his murderous spree aboard a train during the evening rush, killing six people and wounding 19 others in the 1993 LIRR Massacre.
Dennis Caruso/NY Post
Advertisement
The victim, Maria Magtoto, a 30-year-old lawyer from Westbury, LI, lifted her head as she was crawling — with Ferguson just feet away, the witness said in a 2013 interview.
'Before you know it, she looked up, and he was maybe 8 to 10 feet away, and he pointed and shot her, shot her in the head,' Giugliano said. Her head exploded right next to me. … It was horrible.
'At that instance I looked up, and there he was, looking at me staring at me straight in the face. I said, 'Dear God, I'm dead.' '
11 Police officers remove a body from a Long Island Railroad car at the Merillon Avenue station in Garden City, N.Y., Dec. 7, 1993.
AP Photo/Ed Bailey
Advertisement
Luckily, the rider survived with a bullet that ripped through his arm and into his chest — the final shot fired before Ferguson's 15-round magazine ran dry and three passengers bravely lunged at him and tackled him to the ground.
'It's like a black cloud that follows me,' survivor Lisa Combatti, who was pregnant at the time, recently told The Post of the shooting. 'It's like waiting for a stomach ache to pass.'
McCarthy's husband and son commuted every day together to Prudential Securities in Midtown, where Dennis was a manager and Kevin worked as a broker for the same firm.
11 McCarthy's husband was killed and her son gravely wounded in the shooting.
New York Post
11 McCarthy's husband and son commuted every day together to Prudential Securities in Midtown and were headed home when the shooting occurred.
New York Post
The pair were headed home as usual to Mineola, usually about a 40-minute train ride, when the carnage unfolded.
Inside Ferguson's pocket, cops found a collection of rambling, hate-filled notes that painted a chilling picture of the black man's motives, with him blaming 'racism by caucasians and Uncle Tom Negroes.
'NYC was spared because of my respect for Mayor David Dinkins and Comm. Raymond Kelly,' one note read. 'Nassau County is the venue,' another declared — as casually as if he were picking a spot for a birthday party.
Advertisement
11 Carolyn McCarthy arrives at church for her husband's funeral.
David Rentas/NY Post
At the time, mass shootings were comparatively rare, especially in New York.
Ferguson was ruled mentally competent to stand trial, where he chose to represent himself in court, turning the proceedings into a bizarre spectacle before ultimately being convicted of six counts of murder and sentenced to 315 years behind bars.
Now nearly 70, Ferguson is serving his time at the Upstate Correctional Facility in Franklin County — a prison known for housing inmates with disciplinary issues. He has continued to insist he is innocent, telling The Post in an interview five years after the bloodbath that the whole thing was a 'conspiracy.
Advertisement
'It was the finale of the setup. I was on the train, yes, but I was not responsible for that terrible incident,' he claimed.
McCarthy, a Republican turned Democrat, ran for office in 1997, winning the seat by 17 points in a deep-red district that she held onto for nearly 20 years.
She helped successfully pass legislation in 2007 that beefed up background checks on gun buyers while tirelessly fighting for other control measures before her retirement at the start of 2015, following a lung-cancer diagnosis.
Advertisement
11 McCarthy greets the Long Island Railroad Conductor at the Rockville Centre Rail Road Station while running for a congressional seat in 1996.
Mary McLoughlin/NY Post
11 McCarthy, a Republican turned Democrat, ran for office in 1997, winning the seat in a deep-red district that she held onto for nearly 20 years.
Mary McLoughlin/NY Post
Her son, Kevin, had 10% of his brain destroyed by one of Ferguson's bullets and was given just a 1 in 10 chance of survival when he was shot.
McCarthy, recalling the efforts to save her son, told Newsday in 2018, 'When I saw Kevin coming out of the operating room, I didn't even recognize him.
Advertisement
11 McCarthy successfully passed legislation in 2007 that beefed up background checks on gun buyers.
The Washington Post via Getty Images
'When he opened his eyes, I said — and this is the mother talking, not the nurse – 'I'm going to make sure he survives.'
As for Combatti, despite the trauma she endured, she said she still rides the same 5:33 p.m. train every anniversary and sits in the same seat.
'It's my act of defiance,' she said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
33 minutes ago
- The Hill
Senate Republicans are in a sprint on Trump's big bill after a weekend of setbacks
WASHINGTON (AP) — After a weekend of setbacks, the Senate will try to sprint ahead Monday on President Donald Trump's big bill of tax breaks and spending cuts despite a series of challenges, including the sudden announcement from one GOP senator that he won't run for reelection after opposing the package over its Medicaid health care cuts. An all-night session to consider an endless stream of proposed amendments to the package, in what's called a vote-a-rama, was abruptly postponed, and it's now scheduled to launch as soon as the Senate gavels open. With Democrats united against the Republican president's legislation and eagerly lined up to challenge it, the voting could take all day. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said the 'hardest choices' for Republicans are still to come. His side plans to bring 'amendment after amendment after amendment to the floor, so Republicans can defend their billionaire tax cuts and so they can try to explain their massive cuts to Medicaid to people back home.' The hours ahead will be pivotal for the Republicans, who have control of the Congress and are racing against Trump's Fourth of July deadline to wrap up work. The 940-page 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' as it is now formally titled, has consumed the Congress as its shared priority with the president, with no room politically to fail, even as not all Republicans are on board. A new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that 11.8 million more Americans would become uninsured by 2034 if the bill became law. It also said the package would increase the deficit by nearly $3.3 trillion over the decade. House Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership team has recalled lawmakers back to Washington for voting in the House as soon as Wednesday, if the legislation can first clear the Senate. But the outcome remains uncertain, especially after a weekend of work in the Senate that brought less visible progress on securing enough Republican support, over Democratic opposition, for passage. Few Republicans appear fully satisfied as the final package emerges. GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who announced Sunday he would not seek reelection after Trump badgered him over his opposition to the package, said he has the same goals as Trump, cutting taxes and spending. But Tillis said this package is a betrayal of the president's promises not to kick people off health care, especially if rural hospitals close. 'We could take the time to get this right,' he thundered. At the same time, some loosely aligned conservative Senate Republicans — Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming — have pushed for steeper cuts, particularly to health care, drawing their own warning from Trump. 'Don't go too crazy!' the president posted on social media. 'REMEMBER, you still have to get reelected.' GOP leaders barely secured enough support to muscle the legislation past a procedural Saturday night hurdle in a tense scene. A handful of Republican holdouts revolted, and it took phone calls from Trump and a visit from Vice President JD Vance to keep it on track. As Saturday's vote tally teetered, attention turned to Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who was surrounded by GOP leaders in intense conversation. She voted 'yes.' Several provisions in the package including a higher tax deduction for native whalers and potential waivers from food stamps or Medicaid changes are being called the 'Polar Payoff' designed for her state. But some were found to be out of compliance with the rules by the Senate parliamentarian. All told, the Senate bill includes some $4 trillion in tax cuts, making permanent Trump's 2017 rates, which would expire at the end of the year if Congress fails to act, while adding the new ones he campaigned on, including no taxes on tips. The Senate package would roll back billions of dollars in green energy tax credits that Democrats warn will wipe out wind and solar investments nationwide and impose $1.2 trillion in cuts, largely to Medicaid and food stamps, by imposing work requirements, making sign-up eligibility more stringent and changing federal reimbursements to states. Additionally, the bill would provide a $350 billion infusion for border and national security, including for deportations, some of it paid for with new fees charged to immigrants. Unable to stop the march toward passage, the Democrats as the minority party in Congress are using the tools at their disposal to delay and drag out the process. Democrats forced a full reading of the text, which took 16 hours. Then Democratic senators took over Sunday's debate, filling the chamber with speeches, while Republicans largely stood aside. 'Reckless and irresponsible,' said Sen. Gary Peters, a Democrat from Michigan. 'A gift to the billionaire class,' said Vermont's Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats. 'Follow what the Bible teaches us: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,' said Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., as Sunday's debate pushed past midnight. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, raised particular concern about the accounting method being used by the Republicans, which says the tax breaks from Trump's first term are now 'current policy' and the cost of extending them should not be counted toward deficits. 'In my 33 years here in the United States Senate, things have never — never — worked this way,' said Murray, the longest-serving Democrat on the Budget Committee. She said that kind of 'magic math' won't fly with Americans trying to balance their own household books. 'Go back home,' she said, 'and try that game with your constituents.' ___ Associated Press writers Ali Swenson, Fatima Hussein and Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Senate Republicans are in a sprint on Trump's big bill after a weekend of setbacks
WASHINGTON (AP) — After a weekend of setbacks, the Senate will try to sprint ahead Monday on President Donald Trump's big bill of tax breaks and spending cuts despite a series of challenges, including the sudden announcement from one GOP senator that he won't run for reelection after opposing the package over its Medicaid health care cuts. An all-night session to consider an endless stream of proposed amendments to the package, in what's called a vote-a-rama, was abruptly postponed, and it's now scheduled to launch as soon as the Senate gavels open. With Democrats united against the Republican president's legislation and eagerly lined up to challenge it, the voting could take all day. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said the 'hardest choices" for Republicans are still to come. His side plans to bring 'amendment after amendment after amendment to the floor, so Republicans can defend their billionaire tax cuts and so they can try to explain their massive cuts to Medicaid to people back home.' The hours ahead will be pivotal for the Republicans, who have control of the Congress and are racing against Trump's Fourth of July deadline to wrap up work. The 940-page 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' as it is now formally titled, has consumed the Congress as its shared priority with the president, with no room politically to fail, even as not all Republicans are on board. A new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that 11.8 million more Americans would become uninsured by 2034 if the bill became law. It also said the package would increase the deficit by nearly $3.3 trillion over the decade. House Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership team has recalled lawmakers back to Washington for voting in the House as soon as Wednesday, if the legislation can first clear the Senate. But the outcome remains uncertain, especially after a weekend of work in the Senate that brought less visible progress on securing enough Republican support, over Democratic opposition, for passage. Senators to watch Few Republicans appear fully satisfied as the final package emerges. GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who announced Sunday he would not seek reelection after Trump badgered him over his opposition to the package, said he has the same goals as Trump, cutting taxes and spending. But Tillis said this package is a betrayal of the president's promises not to kick people off health care, especially if rural hospitals close. 'We could take the time to get this right,' he thundered. At the same time, some loosely aligned conservative Senate Republicans — Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming — have pushed for steeper cuts, particularly to health care, drawing their own warning from Trump. 'Don't go too crazy!' the president posted on social media. 'REMEMBER, you still have to get reelected.' GOP leaders barely secured enough support to muscle the legislation past a procedural Saturday night hurdle in a tense scene. A handful of Republican holdouts revolted, and it took phone calls from Trump and a visit from Vice President JD Vance to keep it on track. As Saturday's vote tally teetered, attention turned to Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who was surrounded by GOP leaders in intense conversation. She voted 'yes.' Several provisions in the package including a higher tax deduction for native whalers and potential waivers from food stamps or Medicaid changes are being called the 'Polar Payoff' designed for her state. But some were found to be out of compliance with the rules by the Senate parliamentarian. What's in the big bill All told, the Senate bill includes some $4 trillion in tax cuts, making permanent Trump's 2017 rates, which would expire at the end of the year if Congress fails to act, while adding the new ones he campaigned on, including no taxes on tips. The Senate package would roll back billions of dollars in green energy tax credits that Democrats warn will wipe out wind and solar investments nationwide and impose $1.2 trillion in cuts, largely to Medicaid and food stamps, by imposing work requirements, making sign-up eligibility more stringent and changing federal reimbursements to states. Additionally, the bill would provide a $350 billion infusion for border and national security, including for deportations, some of it paid for with new fees charged to immigrants. Democrats ready to fight Unable to stop the march toward passage, the Democrats as the minority party in Congress are using the tools at their disposal to delay and drag out the process. Democrats forced a full reading of the text, which took 16 hours. Then Democratic senators took over Sunday's debate, filling the chamber with speeches, while Republicans largely stood aside. 'Reckless and irresponsible," said Sen. Gary Peters, a Democrat from Michigan. "A gift to the billionaire class,' said Vermont's Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats. 'Follow what the Bible teaches us: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,' said Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., as Sunday's debate pushed past midnight. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, raised particular concern about the accounting method being used by the Republicans, which says the tax breaks from Trump's first term are now 'current policy' and the cost of extending them should not be counted toward deficits. 'In my 33 years here in the United States Senate, things have never — never — worked this way,' said Murray, the longest-serving Democrat on the Budget Committee. She said that kind of 'magic math' won't fly with Americans trying to balance their own household books. 'Go back home,' she said, 'and try that game with your constituents.' ___ Associated Press writers Ali Swenson, Fatima Hussein and Michelle L. Price contributed to this report. Lisa Mascaro, Kevin Freking And Joey Cappelletti, The Associated Press 擷取數據時發生錯誤 登入存取你的投資組合 擷取數據時發生錯誤 擷取數據時發生錯誤 擷取數據時發生錯誤 擷取數據時發生錯誤
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump Threatens to Primary GOP Senator Who Voted Against Megabill
President Donald Trump revealed in a late-night Truth Social post that he's planning to meet with people interested in running in the primary against incumbent North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis, in response to Tillis' decision to vote against Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill.' Late Saturday night, the president posted on his social media platform, 'Numerous people have come forward wanting to run in the Primary against 'Senator Thom' Tillis. I will be meeting with them over the coming weeks, looking for someone who will properly represent the Great People of North Carolina and, so importantly, the United States of America. Thank you for your attention to this matter!' Tillis, who was first elected as senator in 2014, is up for re-election next year. Trump had posted a rant railing against Tillis, as well as Democrats, earlier in the evening, arguing that Tillis was 'unable to understand the importance of a Debt Extension.' He also accused Tillis of throwing the tobacco industry out the window, and supporting 'China made windmills that will cost a fortune,' all to the detriment of his constituents. Trump went on to accuse Tillis of being 'MISSING IN ACTION' during the catastrophic floods that struck North Carolina late last year, while also getting a dig in at 'Sleepy Joe Biden" for letting the residents of western North Carolina drown. Tillis has previously been a supporter of Trump, appearing at one of his campaign stops in North Carolina during the 2020 election. Earlier on Saturday, Tillis revealed in a statement that he would be voting against the president's megabill, largely because of Trump's proposed cuts to Medicaid. The statement read, 'I did my homework on behalf of North Carolinians, and I cannot support this bill in its current form. It would result in tens of billions of dollars in lost funding for North Carolina, including our hospitals and rural communities.' 'This will force the state to make painful decisions like eliminating Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands in the expansion population," he continued, 'and even reducing critical services for those in the traditional Medicaid population.' Urging the Senate to adopt the House's approach to Medicaid, Tillis said, 'we can and must do better.' Some of the changes to Medicaid were proposed by Republicans in an attempt to offset the cost of Trump's tax cuts, which experts worry could add up to $4.5 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. Other Republicans who took issue with the proposed changes include Senators Josh Hawley, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski. Ultimately, Republican Senators voted to move forward with the bill, with all but Tillis and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul voting yes late Saturday. While the White House initially said that the disagreements were 'part of the process,' with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt telling the press that they expected the bill to make it to Trump's desk for a signature by July 4, the president is clearly growing impatient. Former Trump devotee Elon Musk reiterated his own opposition to the bill in its current form in a series of posts to X on Saturday, arguing that the bill 'will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country!' He also called the bill 'utterly insane and destructive' and argued that raising the debt ceiling by a potential $5 trillion would run the risk of 'putting America in the fast lane to debt slavery!'
