Kirkwood mayor returns to City Hall

KIRKWOOD, Mo. (AP) -- Kirkwood Mayor Mike Swoboda gets a two-minute ovation upon his return to City Hall.

Swoboda didn't participate in city business at a city council meeting on Thursday but did read a statement that drew a lengthy ovation from those in attendance.

The mayor was critically injured after being shot twice in the head when a gunman barged into a council meeting in February. Two members of the council, two police officers and the city's director of public works were killed. Police then shot and killed the gunman, a disgruntled resident named Charles "Cookie" Thornton.

Swoboda expressed sorrow for the loss of his friends and colleagues but praised Kirkwood as an "old and proud town ... a strong and beautiful place."

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Information from: KSDK-TV, http://www.ksdk.com