On Friday, January 4, the owner of Noveske Rifleworks, 36-year-old John Noveske, was killed in a single-vehicle accident on Highway 260 in Oregon.
According to the Oregon State Police, at approximately 9:13 p.m., the Toyota Land Cruiser driven by Noveske left the road near El Camino Way, and slammed into two boulders. The vehicle rolled and Noveske was ejected. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The following message is currently posted on Noveske Rifleworks’ Facebook page:
“Noveske Rifleworks would ask you to remember the passing of our founder, John Noveske, who died Friday, January 4th 2013 in an automobile accident.
John planned for all eventualities, and wanted to ensure any changes would be as seamless as possible for our customers, dealers, suppliers, employees and friends. While this will be a trying time, we do not expect a change in the day to day operations of Noveske Rifleworks. We would like to thank you for your support as we deal with our loss, and would ask that instead of flowers, you consider a donation to a cause we will announce at later date.
John was more than just the founder of Noveske Rifleworks, he was a loving husband and father, and caring friend.”
Noveske, himself often posted pro-liberty messages on the page, such as: “Socialism is fun until you run out of other people’s money.”
His company primarily produced customized AR-15s.
Noveske leaves behind a wife and three children.
Only a day earlier, the lifeless body of 32-year-old Keith Ratliff was found at FPS Industries in Franklin County, Ga., just outside of Carnesville. He had been shot once in the head, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Ratliff was well known for a series of videos he produced on Youtube, known as “FPSRussia,” in which various high-powered firearms were demonstrated.
FPSRussia was the ninth-highest-rated channel on Youtube, with nearly a half-billion views, and more than 3 million subscribers.
FPS Industries, which Ratliff managed, builds firearms and develops weapons technology.
Of course, several weapons were found at the scene, all to which Ratliff would have had easy access.
His widow, Amanda Ratliff told WSBTV: “You know, it just doesn’t really add up.”
The couple have a 2-year-old son together.
Ratliff’s brother Kelly, added: “For him not to pull out that gun and try to defend himself, he had to feel comfortable around somebody. Either that or he was ambushed.”
Even more disturbing, the website LiveLeak.com has reported that Ratliff was tied to a chair and shot in the back of the head.