MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Who is Susan LaPierre? NRA chief Wayne LaPierre's wife shot elephant, yelled 'victory' as she cut off its tail

The chief could only wound the elephant and not kill it despite multiple attempts. His wife on the other hand, completed the deed in one shot and even called it 'cool'

National Rifle Association (NRA) chief Wayne LaPierre and his wife Susan LaPierre traveled to Okavango Delta, Botswana in 2013 to show members of the NRA that they could take on the African bush elephants, the largest land mammals on earth. The trip was filmed by a crew from 'Under Wild Skies' an NRA -sponsored television series that was meant to boost the organization's profile among hunters who are one of their biggest donors. However, the program was never aired fearing that it could turn into a public-relations fiasco. 

Mike Spies from The Trace obtained the copy of the footage which was hidden from the public view for eight years. The chief's poor marksman skills were captured on camera, he could only wound the elephant and not kill it despite multiple attempts, even from point-blank range. A guide had to step in and fire the shot that killed the animal. His wife on the other hand turned out to have a better hang on the weapon and completed the deed in one shot. 

READ MORE

Who is Merelize Van Der Merwe? Trophy hunter dubbed 'psychopath' after shooting giraffe and posing with its heart

Is Joe Biden going to war with the NRA? Why his latest tweet has gun-owners very worried

Susan cut off its tail, held it in the air and ecstatically yelled "Victory! That's my elephant tail. Way cool." Spies in a tweet revealed, "To avoid bad publicity, the elephants' parts were clandestinely shipped back to the States, where the animals' front feet were turned into stools for the LaPierres' home." 

Who is Susan LaPierre?

According to her profile on the National Park Foundation website, Susan grew up in the suburbs of Wisconsin. She claims that it was her father who taught her how to hunt, fish, and shoot — implying that these skills were necessary for survival in the woods of Wisconsin. As a result of her upbringing, and her position in the NRA, she also said that her goal is to recruit more women into NRA membership, and claimed that she’s “always been a supporter” of both the Second Amendment and the NRA. She is also a founder of the NRA Women's Leadership Forum where she holds the leadership position. 

"We may come from different backgrounds, different places, and different interests, but the common thread that binds us is our dedication to the protection of our precious Second Amendment. Because we know that without freedom, there is no future,” she wrote on the group's website. She also sits on the board of the National Parks Foundation since 2017. 

Wayne has faced public outrage for his views on gun reform since after Sandy Hook School shooting in 2012. "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,” he had said. Wayne was concerned for his safety after major backlash for his comments and sought refuge in a luxury yacht after fearing to be under all kinds of threats at the time. The NRA chief was also believed to have told his associates he needed the nonprofit organization to buy him a luxury mansion after a mass shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in 2018. He selected a French country-style estate in a gated Dallas-area golf club, according to people familiar with the discussions, reported the Washington Post. 

Just like her husband, Susan also has been involved in a number of controversies over the years and the latest video of the elephant hunt is one of them. 

Susan LaPierre's elephant 'execution'

"One thing you notice from the video is how panicked and incompetent Wayne LaPierre seems with a firearm despite some 40 years with the @NRA. The Susan portion is much more like an execution...the elephant is shot between the eyes, and instantly collapses. Jesus," tweeted a user after seeing the shocking footage. "I hate that Wayne LaPierre’s wife’s name is Susan, that's my name. My mother had a 100 or more piece collection of elephants from all over the world. How dare she do that to such a beautiful animal," read another tweet. "Susan and Wayne LaPierre deserve everything karma has coming to them," another user wrote.

"Wayne LaPierre and his wife Susan are unconscionable villains. They should be shunned for the rest of their lives," another tweet read. "Outright disgusting just like all stories of Wayne LaPierre's corrupt NRA! As for Susan, victory over what? For killing an elephant? Did not know there was a war with elephants of which decadent LaPierre's family felt that killing elephants is victory!" another user tweeted.