Fort Bliss, TX: Friend of victim: Fort Bliss shooter sought girlfriend before attack

By Chris Roberts and Adriana M. Chávez / El Paso Times
Posted: 09/21/2010 12:23:06 PM MDT

FORT BLISS - The man who shot two women, killing one, at a post convenience store Monday afternoon apparently called the store looking for his girlfriend before the shooting.
Retired Army Sgt. Steven Kropf, 63, of El Paso, was shot and killed by law enforcement officials shortly after he attacked two women who worked at shoppettes on the post.
Bettina Maria Goins, 44, of El Paso, was pronounced dead at Beaumont Army Medical Center. The other woman, who

Bettina Maria Goins, 44, with her son Kendrik Goins. (Courtesy photo)
has not been identified, remains hospitalized at the medical center with serious injuries.
Both were shot in the head. The type of weapon used is not known.
Goins worked at another convenience store on post and was at the shoppette on Cassidy and Marshall to pick up additional Halloween candy, the woman's daughter, Maria-Laura Nasti, said today.
"He took her away from us. It was senseless," said Nasti.
Today, post commander Maj. Gen. Dana Pittard said the post is safe.
"Fort Bliss is still, and remains still, one of the safest installations in the country," he said at a news conference.
In addition, he said, "We are going to take a good look at our private weapons policy on post."
He also said the shoppettes will open
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tomorrow.
Kropf had been fired from his job at another convenience store for chasing a suspect who stole beer, which was against the store's policy, said Kim Rodriguez, who described herself as Goins' best friend.
Rodriguez and Nasti said they were informed of the incident by Fort Bliss officials.
When Kropf called the store, the other victim told him she could not give him any information on his girlfriend who apparently worked at one of the post shoppettes, Rodriguez said.
A short while later, at about 3 p.m., he appeared in the store and began shooting. Goins was an innocent bystander, Nasti said.
Military police in or near the store called for backup and Kropf was shot walking toward law enforcement vehicles in the store's parking lot, Rodriguez said.
FBI officials, who are investigating the incident, have not verified any information about the relationships of the shooter and victims. The motive is still under investigation, they said.
Monitor elpasotimes.com for updates.