Good Guys and Guns

Story Of The Month May 31st

2008-06-01T21:35:00.001-07:00

(Pennsylvania) Armed homeowner foils invasion

Eugene Johnson reacted in a flash when his wife heard someone kick in the back door of their Carlisle home at 2:30 a.m. Friday.

Johnson, 75, a retired Army sergeant first class who fought in the Korean War, grabbed his pistol. He was ready when a silhouette of a man appeared in the darkened doorway of his bedroom." He said, 'Don't move, I have a gun,'" Johnson recalled. "I said, 'Buddy, I've got a gun, too, and it's [aimed] right on you. "Things got quiet then," he said. They got quiet because the would-be home invader had high-tailed it out of there, police said.

Johnson would have been legally justified in pulling the trigger, Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed said. "The homeowner acted appropriately," Freed said. "Criminals who break into occupied homes assume the risk of being shot by the homeowners."

Johnson, a 20-year Army veteran who spent nearly three years as a prisoner of war in North Korea, said Friday's incident occurred two weeks after another burglary at his home in the 1200 block of North West Street.

He and his wife, Bernadine, 71, were away during the May 16 break-in. "They trashed the place and stole money," Johnson said.

The back door that was damaged in the earlier burglary had not yet been repaired when the invader or invaders kicked it in Friday. Once inside, the culprit or culprits turned off the home's electricity, he said. "My wife heard the back door being smashed. All at once the lights went out, and she told me, 'Get your gun,'" Johnson said.

He said he isn't sure how many people were involved in the break-in, but he saw only one man and heard one male voice.

Lt. Michael Dzezinski said police don't know if the May 16 burglary and Friday's home invasion are connected. The man who threatened the Johnsons might have been trying to detain them while accomplices rifled through the house, he said.

Police don't have a description of the burglar who confronted the couple, and no suspects were found during a search of the area immediately after the invasion, Dzezinski said.

May 30th

2008-06-01T21:31:00.002-07:00

(Idaho) Man shoots, kills agressive pit bull

Police say a Boise man shot a pit bull with a shotgun after the man says the animal was being threatening towards him.

It happened on the 2700 block of Westland Place in Boise near Ustick and Cole. Officers say Dave Davies called police just before 8:00 p.m., saying his neighbor’s pit bull was being aggressive toward him. Two minutes later – Davies called back and said he shot the dog.

Davies said he was outside working on his motorcycle when the dog jumped a fence and came toward him in an “aggressive” manner. When Davies was inside calling police, he grabbed his shotgun. Police say he went back outside and shot the animal. Boise Police Lt. Ron Winegar said the man may have a warranted defense. "We would never advocate it happening within the city limits in this kind of a neighborhood can be very dangerous,” Winegar said. “At the same time, depending on the circumstances, we always have the right to defend ourselves."

Davies says he has reported the pit bull in the past – and said he was told he has the right to defend himself on his property if an animal is being aggressive.

Other neighbors said they have not had problems with the animal.

The dog’s owner was not at home at the time of the incident.

May 25th

2008-06-01T21:28:00.002-07:00

(South Carolina) Store Owner Shoots Robbery Suspects

After a weekend full of robberies in Sumter County, deputies are investigating another incident that they don't believe are related to the other four.

Deputies say that early Saturday morning, two teenagers broke in to Dixon's Grocery on Highway 261 in Rembert.

Authorities say that the owner of the store arrived and was able to shoot two of the suspects with bird shots, who were attempting to steal alcohol. When Sumter County deputies arrived at Dixon's, the suspects had taken off.

An incident report says that Sumter dispatch received a call from 17-year-old Philip Steinle, who said he was on his way to the hospital with two people who had been shot in a neighborhood behind Wal-Mart on Broad Street.

Steinle was pulled over by a city police officer, who discovered that the two passengers had apparently been shot by a shotgun with a bird shot. The city officer was then notified by a Sumter County deputy of the incident at Dixon's Grocery.

One of the teens, a 16-year-old from Hopkins, is at Sumter's Tuomey Hospital in fair condition, while the other, 17-year-old Dontrell Jenkins, was airlifted to Palmetto Richland.

Steinle admitted to authorities that he waited in a car while Jenkins and the 16-year-old attempted to break in to Dixon's. Steinle said that both teens ran back to the car, injured.

Steinle was taken to the Sumter County jail, where he is being charged with burglary and larceny.

May 29th

2008-06-01T21:24:00.001-07:00

(Montana) Montana hunter shoots wolf in self defense

A man hunting black bear shot and killed a wolf near Olney, northwest of Whitefish.

Zachary Harms of Kalispell was driving his truck up a forest road Tuesday when he saw movement. He walked along the road with his rifle, thinking he may have seen a black bear. Two wolves then ran out from the side of the road. One ran across the road and up the hillside. The other ran down the road towards Harms. The wolf closed to approximately 10 feet and Harms fired, hitting the female wolf in the front of the head.

The hunter contacted the sheriff's office later that day and reported he had killed a wolf. Two state game wardens investigated, and determined the shooting was in self-defense and was allowed under state law.

May 29th

2008-06-01T21:18:00.000-07:00

(Pennsylvania) Suspect Shot During Burglary Attempt Faces Charges

A man is in the hospital and facing multiple charges today after police say he and another man broke into a South Side home in a burglary attempt.Police say Dale Boehm, 19, is facing charges of burglary, robbery, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and criminal conspiracy.

According to police, the owner of the Josephine Street home was watching television when he heard breaking glass and his back door being kicked in around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Authorities say that's when the homeowner retrieved his weapon and then found two men in his kitchen. Officials report that the men fired at one another.Authorities say one of the suspects fled the scene after the gunfire. He has not been found, but police say they recovered a baseball bat and firearm while searching in the woods.

Police report that Boehm suffered a gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.He is listed in critical condition, officials say.

Police say they have questioned the resident. Meanwhile, Boehm will be taken to the Allegheny County Jail when he is released from the hospital.

May 9th

2008-05-12T06:31:00.003-07:00

(Nevada) New Details in Deadly Home Burglary

Police are investigating a shooting at a Las Vegas home that left two people dead Thursday night. Police say a man told them that he and his wife came home and were met by a burglar in their house. According to officers, the burglar shot and killed the woman and the husband then shot and killed the burglar.

Some neighbors were crying as they learned of their neighbor's tragic death. As of Friday morning, the streets were still littered with bits of crime scene tape. Neighbors were blocked out of their homes, and the neighborhood was on lock down for hours."We waited for about an hour before we could bring the car here," said Mort Arditti, a neighbor.

Police say the couple returned to their home on Friday night around 9 p.m. and surprised a burglar. Police say the burglar was someone the couple knew and had hired in the past to do work at the home.The female victim, Sharon Randolph, had lived in the neighborhood for 12 years. "I just saw her three days ago. Real nice lady. Said how nice the yard looked," said neighbor Robert Donat. Donat says she asked why he does all his yard work himself. He said he didn't want strangers at his house, but he says Sharon was different. "They bring a lot of strangers over there to do odd jobs for them. You are just asking for trouble. You don't know the people you are bringing into your house," he said.

According to police, a handyman the couple had hired broke into the house and was burglarizing it when they came home. Police say the suspect shot and killed the Randolph. "Now she's gone overnight, just like that. And we were all home last night and we heard the helicopter and they were kicking people out of their houses around them. Just amazing," said Donat.

But neighbors say there might be more too it. Sharon's husband had died a few years back and she met a new man on the Internet who wasn't too popular with neighbors. "A lot of fighting going on, her and her new husband. I guess she found him on the Internet and a lot of U-Haul trucks. She is always taking him back, so not a good thing," said Donat.

Police say that new husband struggled with the burglar and ended up shooting the man to death in the garage.

May 9th

2008-05-12T06:28:00.002-07:00

(Tennessee) Memphis Car Burglar Shot by Vehicle’s Owner and Held at Gunpoint

Memphis Police say a man caught stealing from a car was shot by the owner of the vehicle and held at gunpoint until police arrived. Police say the incident happened around 3:00 a.m., Friday, May 9, 2008, on Parakeet Drive in the Westwood area of Memphis.

The owner of the burglarized SUV says he and his wife woke up to the sound of a big crash and his dogs barking. The man went outside to find out what was going on, and discovered a crook dangling from his SUV trying to steal items from inside.

According to the vehicle’s owner, he repeatedly told the accused car burglar to get out of the SUV. He says he was not able to see the burglar’s hands and did not know if the suspect had a weapon, so he shot the crook in the buttocks.

Investigators say the man then walked the accused burglar to the front porch of the house and held him there at gunpoint until police and an ambulance arrived. The accused burglar was taken to the Med in non-critical condition. Police say the SUV owner will not be charged.

May 9th

2008-05-12T06:24:00.001-07:00

(Georgia) Teen killed breaking into home

A 24-year-old man shot and killed a teenage intruder Friday after the youth and some other juveniles tried to break into the his northwest Atlanta home, police said. The shooting occurred around 1:15 p.m. at 1426 Hawkins St., off Chappell Road, police said.

The victim was 16 years old, said Lt. Keith Meadows, commander of the Atlanta Police Department homicide unit. His name was not made public Friday afternoon.

Meadows said several juveniles tried break in through a back door. They had broken a glass window pane and were trying to kick in the door, said Sgt. Lisa Keyes, a police spokeswoman.It was not clear if the suspects got the door open before the resident, who was home alone, grabbed a handgun from his back bedroom and shot fired at least eight shots, hitting the 16-year-old at least once in the face, Meadows said.

Several of the bullets struck the door, police said. The other suspects ran away.

Meadows said it appears that the man acted in self defense. His home had been burglarized two other times this week, and detectives were trying to determine if all the burglaries are linked.

Meadows also said the teenage boy who was shot might have been arrested recently by Atlanta police on an unrelated burglary charge. The Police Department's helicopter crew and ground units were canvassing the neighborhood in search of the other youths, Keyes said.

May 8th

2008-05-12T06:21:00.000-07:00

(Arizona) Man shoots, kills robbery suspect in truck

A Phoenix man shot and killed a suspected robber Thursday, claiming it was a case of self-defense, police said.

The man heard his truck start up in his driveway on the 3000 block of West Flynn Lane at around 12:45 a.m. When he went outside with a gun to investigate, he saw his truck had just been stolen and a man was driving away in it, police said.

The suspect then made a U-turn and drove toward the man who was standing on the sidewalk, police said. He fired several shots at the suspect in the truck, hitting him fatally, police said. The suspect lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a wall. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Phoenix police detectives are investigating the death and working with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. The man has not been arrested in the shooting, police said.

May 8th

2008-05-12T06:15:00.003-07:00

(Utah) Kearns Shooting Victim Bashes Gunman During TV Interview

A man wounded by a burglar during a home invasion Thursday morning talked to 2News about the incident -- in which he was shot with his own gun.

Chad Morley said he found the burglar inside of his home at approximately 9:00 a.m. Thursday after noticing some of his property stacked up by a side door. Morley decided to go inside the house, located near 6000 West Eaton Way, and retrieve his handgun to fend off the intruder. Moments later, the two men started wrestling for control and Morley was eventually shot in the arm. "We both fought over the gun and he hit me in the head," Morley said. "My hands were just completely covered in blood." (Video) "We both had a hold of the gun and (he) turned it toward me... and it was so slippery from blood, I couldn't hang on to it," he continued. "Then I saw his finger go to the trigger and... that's when it hit me and knocked me over a loveseat."

Morley said he was over at his father's house nearby when the burglar must have entered. Upon returning, and seeing the items stacked near the door, he said it was clear something was wrong. "I knew something was going on. I catch shoplifters for a living, so there's a lot of people that would probably like to know a lot about me," Morley said. "So I always carry my gun with me... constantly, it's right by me." "I didn't waste any time. I just grabbed my gun... I half-cocked it and made sure there was a bullet in the chamber. I was prepared to shoot him," he added.

After the struggle, the burglar managed to get away from the home and flee into the neighborhood. He has not yet been captured. "In a situation like that, it's either you or them. And people like that don't have a care for anything and would rather steal people's merchandise that they worked their tail off for," Morley said. "They would rather be lazy... and sell it and make their living that way."

Morley received a gunshot wound to the arm and a laceration to his forehead. When asked if he would have handled the situation differently in a do-over, Morley said he probably would have shot first -- and asked questions later. "Honestly... probably shoot him before he had a chance to take my weapon away and then putting me in 10-times more danger," he said. "It's not something you want to get in front of a news camera and say, 'oh I should have shot him'... but it could've been a lot worse for me," Morley added.

The burglar is described as a Hispanic man, about 6'0" tall and weighing between 165-175 pounds. Morley said the suspect wore a baseball cap and a blue bandana around the lower part of his face.

**Note**Anti-gun advocates are constantly claiming that a defensive weapon is far more likely to be taken away and used against you. However, this story (the 3,459th story posted on the Civilian Gun Defense Blog to date) may possibly make the third or fourth such story, while we have documented 147 incidents of a criminal's gun being used against him (also to date). Since our news searching methods are unbiased (that is, they will turn up shootings both by citizens and by criminals), the real world stories are clearly in contrast to this claim.

May 8th

2008-05-12T06:11:00.001-07:00

(Florida) Robber fatally shot in Boca Raton jewelry heist

After Leon Rozio got robbed, he vowed never to let it happen again. Three or four years ago, the 64-year-old owner of Miami-based H&L Wholesale Jewelry Inc. lost some $300,000 in gold and jewelry in a holdup, said his half-brother, Fernando Mirabal. Soon after, Rozio started bringing a gun on his sales runs, which took him and his priceless jewelry to shops across South Florida.

About 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, not long after Rozio parked his red Ford Explorer outside St. Moritz Jewelers on Boca Raton's west side, four men screamed up behind him in a silver car, boxing him in. They surrounded the Explorer, smashing out all four windows to get at the jewelry inside, witnesses said. ''He opened up like I have never seen,'' said Greg Sanderson, manager of a nearby Omaha Steaks shop, who watched the shooting through the store's plate-glass windows. ``I couldn't believe it. It sounded like the Wild West out there. ''One of the men staggered from the car and ran west through the parking lot toward St. Andrew's Boulevard, Winter said.

Paramedics found the wounded robber bleeding in the car, said Fire Rescue spokesman Frank Correggio. The man was taken to Delray Medical Center, where he died soon after, officials said.

The three other men escaped in a silver van, triggering a manhunt. It wasn't clear whether any of them were wounded, or whether they made off with any gold or jewels, police said.

Investigators still were quizzing Rozio at the police station until about 7 p.m. Rozio's attorney, Bill Mathewman, said his client will not face charges.

May 7th

2008-05-12T06:08:00.001-07:00

(Illinois) Armed resident foils burglary

Knox County Sheriff’s Department deputies are investigating a residential burglary in which the homeowner apprehended a suspect after chasing him with a gun.

Police were called to a burglary in progress at 7:43 p.m. Monday to 1350 Knox Road 600E. According to police, the resident was in his basement when he heard a knock at the door. When he got to the main floor, he saw two unidentified men on the rear deck. The resident returned to the basement and retrieved a handgun.

The resident went upstairs and found the two men standing inside his home. The suspects fled and the resident followed, eventually firing a warning shot into the ground. One of the suspects stopped while the second suspect continued running.

Tyrone L. Thompson, 20, Peoria, was detained by the homeowner until police arrived. Thompson was charged with residential burglary. The second suspect is described as a male with a small build and was last seen wearing a hooded sweatshirt.

Police found a kitchen window screen had been cut, allowing entry into the residence. The investigation is ongoing.

May 6th

2008-05-12T06:06:00.002-07:00

(Colorado) Would-be robber shot in Aurora

A man shot by a security guard while allegedly attempting to rob a Check into Cash store in Aurora this morning was in grave condition, according to Aurora Detective Bob Friel.

As of 3 p.m., the suspect was still alive and being treated by doctors at a local hospital, the spokesman said.Friel said Aurora police dispatchers received an alarm from the Check Into Cash shortly after 10 a.m., and officers — who were nearby — arrived at the store within a minute.

Friel said the security guard told officers he had spotted the man in the store holding a handgun and believed there was a robbery in progress. Friel said the suspect was shot at least once in the body by the security guard. "We are not sure if the security guard was employed by the business or the shopping center," said Friel. "The security guard has been cooperative" and is currently being interviewed by police at police headquarters.

At the time of the incident, there was a clerk in the store. She was not injured, said the police spokesman. The store is at 15270 E. Sixth Ave., which is at the intersection of East Sixth Avenue and Chambers Road.

Detectives were at the scene investigating the shooting. Check Into Cash outlets offer "payday advance services."

April 18th

2008-04-21T06:17:00.001-07:00

(California) Oakland liquor store worker shoots robbery suspect

An employee of an Oakland liquor store shot and wounded a would-robber, police said today. The incident happened about 9:30 p.m. Thursday at the Wah Fay liquor store near the corner of East 21st Street and Eighth Avenue in the city's San Antonio neighborhood, police Sgt. Larry Krupp said.

The employee opened fire after two men entered the store and demanded money, police said. The injured suspect, whose name was not immediately released, was taken to a local hospital. The wounds did not appear to be life-threatening, authorities said. It was not immediately known what happened to the other suspect.

The shooting comes at a time of heightened concern over robberies in the East Bay. Police in Oakland, Emeryville and Berkeley are investigating a series of eight takeover robberies at restaurants over the past month. Oakland police are also trying to identify a man they have dubbed the "Chicken Hawk" because of his tendency to rob fast-food restaurants that serve chicken.

The liquor-store shooting also underscores the measures some store employees are taking. In April 2007, the owner of a pizzeria at 89th Avenue and International Boulevard in East Oakland shot and killed a would-be robber armed with an assault rifle. A month later, a clerk at a liquor store on 28th Avenue in Oakland shot and killed a 17-year-old who had fired first.

April 16th

2008-04-21T06:14:00.000-07:00

(Arizona) Homeowner Shoots Burglar

An early-morning break-in turned fatal when the homeowner shot the intruder, Mesa police said.

The homeowner, his wife and another person woke to the sound of someone breaking into their home shortly after 2:15 a.m., police said.

The wife ran to a closet to call 911 while her husband confronted the armed intruder.

Police said the husband struggled with the intruder and shot the burglar with his own gun.

Rescue crews pronounced the burglar dead at the scene.

Police said a second would-be intruder was waiting outside the home and was arrested.

Investigators said the incident may be drug-related.

April 14th

2008-04-21T06:08:00.002-07:00

(Alabama) Would-be Scottsboro robber gets shot in stomach, hospitalized

A would-be thief was shot in the stomach as he tried to rob a man over the weekend and is recovering in Tennessee, where he fled after the incident in Scottsboro, police said Monday.

Scottsboro Police Chief Ralph Dawe said the suspect, whose name has not been released, tried to rob a man near Highlands Medical Center around 2 a.m. Saturday.

He said the robbery target pulled a gun and shot the suspect in the abdomen. The suspect then fled to Chattanooga, Tenn., where he is being treated at Erlanger Hospital.

Dave said there were outstanding arrest warrants for the man on first-degree robbery charges for a similar incident at a local Wal-Mart and he will be extradited back to Alabama when his medical condition improves.

He said the information compiled so far provides no reason to charge the person who shot the robbery suspect. Dave said Tennessee authorities contacted their Alabama counterparts after the man gave differnt versions of how he ended up with the gunshot wound. "He gave several stories, but all accounts of what happened involved Scottsboro, so they called us," Dawe said.

April 2nd

2008-04-07T07:12:00.001-07:00

(Louisiana) Attempted carjacking victim accidentally shoots self

A man accidentally shot himself last night after an attempted carjacking. Police were called to the 4400 block of Pines Road around midnight. The victim was sitting in his car at a gas station when he was approached by two black males wearing all black clothing and black bandanas over their faces. They produced a silver revolver and demanded the car. The victim refused and produced his own handgun.

He accidentally shot himself in the leg, and the suspects fled the scene. The victim then went inside the gas station and told the clerk what happened.

April 3rd

2008-04-07T07:05:00.002-07:00

(Texas) Homeowner Shoots Suspect After 2 Break-Ins

A southeast Houston homeowner shot a burglary suspect Thursday afternoon after he was victimized twice in a week, officials told KPRC Local 2. Thomas Williamson lives in the 6000 block of Bois D'arc. He said he stayed home from work on Thursday after a burglar hit his home twice in a few days.

Williamson said he looked out his window at about 1 p.m. and saw a man walk across his back yard. The man went into Williamson's garage and tried to steal an air compressor, worth about $400, he said.

When the burglary suspect walked out of the garage with bolt cutters, Williamson said he grabbed his shotgun. "He came to the door and I went, 'Get on the ground. Get on the ground.' He got on the ground and I told him, 'Do not move,'" he said. "I was shaking. I had him on the ground with my shotgun and I told him, 'Do not move.' I was even yelling. I fired one shot in the ground just to show him I meant business."

Williamson said he shot the man when he tried to run. The burglary suspect was taken to Ben Taub Hospital with a gunshot wound. His condition was not released.

The District Attorney's Office said charges would probably not be filed because Williamson was protecting his property.

April 4th

2008-04-07T07:01:00.001-07:00

(Indiana) Clerk Wrestles Gun From Would-Be Robber

Click on the link to watch the video.

A gas station attendant was back on the job Thursday night, days after he wrestled a shotgun away from a would-be robber.

Dramatic surveillance video of the incident at the Shell station at 38th Street and Capitol Avenue was released Thursday, 6News' Cheryl Jackson reported.

Clerk Deme Momar found himself in a fight for his life soon after the would-be robber came into the store. "The clerk recognized him from coming in and out and being around the neighborhood," said Indianapolis Metro police Detective Leon Benjamin.

The man waited for a customer to leave the store, then convinced Momar that he needed help with the ATM machine. "His plan was to lure the clerk from behind the secure area where the cash register was located," Benjamin said.Momar made an exception to store policy and went to help the man, after which he was greeted with a sawed-off shotgun. "It's not easy if someone pulls out a gun on you and you are between life and death," Momar said. "He ... pulled out a shotgun on me and we fight and I take the gun out of his hand."

The struggle continued for several minutes, until Momar was able to get the gun away from the man. "I let him go because I didn't know what ... to do. I couldn't shoot him, and he was begging me to let him go," Momar said. "Even if I go back there and give him the money, he will shoot me, too."

When Momar got the gun, the would-be robber's demeanor changed from attack mode to defenseless. "He thought I was trying to shoot him, so he said to me, 'Please, I'm begging you, don't shoot me. Let me go. Let me go,'" Momar said.

Police and Momar both said they think the man lives in the neighborhood."He stay around here, not so far, and he used to drive a green (Ford) Explorer, two-door," Momar said. "That day, he was walking."

Momar said he decided not to let the robbery attempt keep him from returning to work.

April 3rd

2008-04-07T06:57:00.001-07:00

(Michigan) Suspects caught in April Fool twist

Three suspects received an April Fool's Day surprise as they attempted to break into a home on Range Line Road.

At approximately 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, a home owner called 911, saying the back door of her residence was kicked in, according to the Michigan State Police Niles Post. Apparently a female suspect had knocked on the door and when no one answered, two male suspects allegedly attempted a home invasion.

Three suspects from Indiana were arrested and are suspected in several other home invasions in Southeast Berrien County.

The 36-year-old female homeowner had armed herself with a shotgun for protection, when she heard the suspects prepare to enter her residence. "The tables were turned on these thieves when they were surprised by the armed homeowner," said Tpr. Mike McCarthy of the Niles Post.

The north Berrien County 911 center broadcast the call and description of the suspects' vehicle, which was intercepted on Old 31 by deputies and troopers. Stolen property was found in the vehicle which was linked to previous home invasions.

Arrested for felony home invasion were Daniel L. Sizemore, 28; Phillip J. Chappell, 29 and Andrea L. Bachleda, 27, all of South Bend, Ind.

They were lodged at the Niles City Jail and arraigned in the 5th District Court and their bond was set at $50,000.The Berrien County Sheriff's Department assisted with the investigation. Other area home invasions are expected to be cleared with the arrests of these suspects.

April 3rd

2008-04-07T06:44:00.004-07:00

(Ohio) Tenant kills would-be robber, police say

A gunman who police say kicked in the door to an East Side apartment was shot to death by one of the tenants early today.

Jermaine A. McCrary, 19, of Ashville died of a single gunshot wound to the head after breaking into an apartment at 2936 E. Fifth Ave. at 1:47 a.m.

Sgt. Dana Norman of the homicide squad said McCrary intended to rob the occupants, a man and woman who told police that they didn't know him. McCrary pistol-whipped the man before he was shot by one of the tenants.

Terrified, the residents ran out of the apartment and several blocks west before finding someone to call police.

Norman wouldn't say which tenant fired the shot, and he would not release their names. He said the case will be presented to a grand jury but appeared to one of self-defense. Neither tenant has been charged with a crime.

Quote by GG&G Reader Miss C.

2008-03-31T06:57:00.002-07:00

A Good Guys and Guns reader sent this to me this week and I really enjoyed reading it so I thought I would pass it on. Thanks Miss C. for getting this quote!

David

"In 1896, while serving as New York City Police Commissioner, Roosevelt arranged for the first standard issue handgun for that agency, the .32 Colt New Police revolver. Serial #1 of the initial factory order was presented to him. Even during his presidency he felt it prudent to go armed. He was descending the steps from the second floor of the White House one day, enroute to a political affair, when he stopped suddenly, patted his chest, turned and went back to his room, exclaming as he did so that he'd forgotten his gun. It would be interesting to know how many other presidents were not willing to rely solely upon the Secret Service for their personal protetction. He seems also to have had some disdain for gun control laws. On one occasion he was in Massachusetts to deliver a speech at Harvard. While leaving his room to go to the event, he tucked a revolver into the breast pocket of his jacket. With him was the university president, who commented that carrying a concealed weapon was illegal there. Roosevelt was unimpressed and went armed, anyway."

From: The Guns of the Gunfighters by Doc O'Meara

March 27th

2008-03-31T06:54:00.001-07:00

(California) Neighbor apprehends burglar after pursuit

Deputies from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man yesterday afternoon after neighbors in Blue Lake allegedly caught him during a home burglary, a news release stated.

At about 2:45 p.m. a woman reported to the Sheriff’s Office that she saw a man enter her next-door neighbor’s residence on the 400 block of Chartin Way. The woman told the Sheriff’s Emergency Dispatchers that her son, Steven Wilson, 49, armed with a handgun, had attempted to apprehend the suspect inside the residence and was now chasing him toward Rancheria Road.

Deputies arrived a few minutes later and found Wilson detaining Ryan Bush, 21 of Eureka. Further investigation revealed that the suspect had allegedly forcibly entered the locked residence on Chartin Way and removed several items. There was also significant vandalism inside the residence, including broken doors, light fixtures, furniture, and scratched wood floors.

When Wilson confronted him, the suspect fled from the house. Wilson fired a single “warning shot” and told the suspect to freeze, but he continued to run.

The suspect ran through backyards and private driveways until Wilson was able to catch and detain him near Rancheria Road.

Bush was treated at a local hospital for a laceration he sustained either during the burglary or the pursuit. He also had a previous injury that required medical attention.

Bush was then transported to the Humboldt County jail and booked for burglary. His bail was set at $50,000 and he is expected to be arraigned Friday.

March 27th

2008-03-31T06:52:00.001-07:00

(Michigan) No Charges For Gas Station Shooter

Kent Co. prosecutors have announced that there will be no charges for the man who shot and killed another man in Grand Rapids. It all happened last month at the Shell Gas Station at the corner of Kalamazoo Ave. and Boston Street.

Gabriel Rodriguez was filling up his car when he got into an argument with a man named Glenn Tett, who is licensed to carry a concealed weapon. Surveillance video shows Rodriguez picking up a trash can lid seemingly to hit Tett, when Tett takes out a gun and shoots Rodriguez, killing him.

Tett told police that the reason he fired his gun was because he feared for his life, and after watching the surveillance video and investigating the case, Kent Co. Prosecutors agreed that Rodriguez' actions could have been interpreted as life-threatening. "As you're watching (the surveillance video), this happens in an instant," said Kent Co. Prosecutor Bill Forsyth. "We could sit here and Monday-morning-quarterback this, and say well, 'He could have closed the door to his truck and gotten in and driven away. (Tett) could have stepped back, he could have waited to see what it was he was swinging at him, it might have changed things,' but that's not the way the law is written."

March 27th

2008-03-31T06:46:00.002-07:00

(Ohio) 85-year-old opens fire on thugs

Raleigh Hensley's trip to "town" Tuesday ended with men taking his wallet with $5,500 and roughing him up, but the 85-year-old didn't give up his money without a fight and even shot at the fleeing car.

Butler County Sheriff's detectives announced today, March 27, they have the culprits, both of Hamilton, behind bars who allegedly robbed Hensley. They are Timothy Alfred, 44, of Millville Ave., charged with robbery and Mark Collins, 45, of Sunset Drive, charged with complicity to robbery.

Hensley, who has lived on Darrtown Road more than 50 years, said he went to Hamilton Tuesday afternoon, March 26, and stopped by a west side liquor store to purchase a "jug of wine." "There were three or four guys around there," Hensley said. "They saw me pay with the money in my billfold. I tripped on the way out and one of them helped me up and asked if he could take me home." Hensley laughed and told them he wasn't drinking and didn't need any help. But the men apparently wanted to help themselves to his cash — all $5,500 of it.

"I didn't notice them following me home," Hensley said. "When I got out to get the mail, the red car sort of blocked me and they shoved me, trying to get my billfold. I told them, 'you ain't going to get it.'"

Eventually, the men were able to swipe the wallet and jumped back in the car speeding away toward McGonigle, Hensley said "I got my gun and shot a couple times at the tires," Hensley said. He added he has been told him today he may have hit his mark. Butler County Detective Jason Rosser said a car believed to have been driven by the culprits has been located and is being processed.

Hensley also tried to follow the getaway car, but lost them."I've never had any type of problem out here," Hensley said. "Still don't. They followed me home."

He added he usually does not carry thousands in cash, but had plans for the money they stole.

March 27th

2008-03-31T06:40:00.002-07:00

(Texas) Woman Shoots Robber, Husband During Home Invasion

A woman shot and killed an intruder and accidentally wounded her husband in a northeast Harris County home invasion, investigators told KPRC Local 2 Thursday.

According to deputies, a couple found themselves staring down the barrel of a gun in their apartment in the Northshore Meadows complex in the 300 block of Audrey Lane shortly before midnight.

A man had just broken into their apartment and was making demands. According to investigators, he wanted cash and drugs, and made the couple remove all their clothing.

Then, gunshots rang out. However, the would-be robber wasn't the one squeezing the trigger, officials said. "The husband got into a physical altercation with the suspect," Harris County Deputy A.J. Kelly said. "The wife was able to retrieve a handgun that they had up in the room and she fired shots, striking and killing the suspect."

The husband was also shot. Deputies said he was hit in the arm. They believe he may have been hit by friendly fire from his wife. The couple told investigators that they did not know the man or why they were the targets of a home invasion. "Seems like, at this point, they did what they had to do," Kelly said. "They were in fear that this individual who broke into their house was going to harm them."

Deputies said they believe the intruder may not have been alone. "We have a female detained that was in the parking lot at the time of the incident and we're questioning her know," Kelly said. "She's definitely a person of interest. We think she was with him." According to Kelly, the woman was downstairs in the parking lot waiting in what appeared to be the getaway car.

Investigators said that the husband suffered from an exit wound to the arm. He was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover.

March 26th

2008-03-31T06:35:00.004-07:00

(New York) Druggist wrestles shotgun away from would be robbery

A gunman who tried to rob a Carmel pharmacy Tuesday afternoon was subdued by the pharmacist after a violent struggle. The robber, armed with a sawed-off shotgun, attempted to rob the store of narcotics.

The incident unfolded at about 12:35 p.m. at the Rite Aid Pharmacy in the ShopRite Plaza on Route 52 in Carmel.

The suspect, identified as David Both, 49, of Kent, allegedly walked up to the pharmacy counter, pulled the shotgun and demanded narcotics from the pharmacy staff. Both then walked around behind the counter as the pharmacist, Mark Gallagher, complied with his demands by placing drugs into a bag.

When the suspect pointed the shotgun toward two female employees, Gallagher, who later told police he feared the suspect was going to shoot the women, grabbed the weapon. After a struggle, the pharmacist was able to wrest control of the gun from Both and fought him off.

Someone in the store called 911 and patrols from the Putnam, Sheriff’s Office, Carmel and Ken Police and the State Police rushed to the store. Both was taken into custody.

As a deputy was unloading the shotgun, police said it accidentally discharged and fired a slug into a rear wall of the store. No one was injured. Police think the gun may have gone off because it was damaged during the struggle.

Gallagher was not injured in the altercation. Another store employee, a 64-year-old woman, later experienced chest pains while be interviewed at the Sheriff’s Office. She was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Both was charged with attempted robbery in the first degree.

**Note** To clear up confusion, the reported perpetrator is named "Both".

March 25th

2008-03-31T06:35:00.001-07:00

(Alabama) Man Shoots, Kills Cousin Stealing Gas

Authorities in Russell County have not filed charges against a homeowner who said today he shot and killed a man who was siphoning gasoline from his truck in the middle of the night, only to discover the victim was a cousin.
Robert Lee Warren of Hatchechubee said the man identified by the coroner as 40-year-old Henry Moses made a threatening move toward him after being confronted, so he pulled the trigger in self-defense.
Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr. said Moses died of a single gunshot to the chest about 2 a.m. CDT on Easter Sunday. The body was found near a blue pickup truck under an awning that Warren used as a carport. He said its unclear how much, if any, gasoline was taken.
Prosecutor Buster Landreau said it was too early to say whether an indictment could result when a grand jury considers the case. Alabama law allows residents to use deadly force if they feel their life is in danger.
With the average price for regular, self-serve gasoline hitting $3.26 a gallon in the United States, gasoline thefts are being reported across the country.

March 25th

2008-03-31T06:27:00.001-07:00

(Alabama) Man Shoots, Kills Cousin Stealing Gas

Robert Lee Warren of Hatchechubee said the man identified by the coroner as 40-year-old Henry Moses made a threatening move toward him after being confronted, so he pulled the trigger in self-defense.

Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr. said Moses died of a single gunshot to the chest about 2 a.m. CDT on Easter Sunday. The body was found near a blue pickup truck under an awning that Warren used as a carport. He said its unclear how much, if any, gasoline was taken.

Prosecutor Buster Landreau said it was too early to say whether an indictment could result when a grand jury considers the case. Alabama law allows residents to use deadly force if they feel their life is in danger.

With the average price for regular, self-serve gasoline hitting $3.26 a gallon in the United States, gasoline thefts are being reported across the country.

March 21st

2008-03-23T13:12:00.003-07:00

(Pennsylvania) Braddock store owner pins would-be robber

Al Handza did a small favor Thursday afternoon for a young man in Braddock, a few minutes before the man put a gun to his head and tried to rob him.

Handza, owner of Al's Market on Braddock Avenue, refused to be bullied and grabbed the robber's hands, wrestling him to the ground.

During the struggle, the gun discharged twice and the wounded thief tried to run, only to be stopped by Handza and detained for police. The robber, whose identity and age are not known because he gave a phony name to police, was taken to UPMC Presbyterian hospital in Oakland with gunshot wounds in the arm and back, said Braddock police Sgt. Frank Barreiro. The extent of the injuries is not known. Handza, 61, who had cataract surgery on Tuesday, said he didn't have time to think about how scared he was."What are you going to do?" Handza said with a shrug 90 minutes after the incident."

He came behind the counter with a gun, put it to my head and we started tussling." Handza, who has operated the small market near the Rankin Bridge for 26 years, said the young man often comes into the store and was there twice yesterday before the holdup. "The second time, he bought two bags of chips but was short 18 cents," Handza said. "I said, 'You're always in here. I'll get it tomorrow.'"

A minute later -- shortly before 5 p.m. -- the man returned, trying to hide his face with a hooded sweatshirt and bandana." He said, 'This is a stickup!' I thought he was joking because he'd just left."

The .22-caliber handgun the robber was pointing at Handza's head was no laughing matter, and the store owner acted to defend himself. "I threw him and we went down together," said Handza, who was alone at the time.

As the two wrestled, the gun discharged twice and the robber said, "I'm shot!"The thief got up without the gun, ran out the door and around the corner between two buildings, where he was stopped by a 12-foot fence.

Handza grabbed the gun off the floor, called 911 and ran outside after the robber. "He couldn't get over the fence. I held his own gun on him and told him to hit the ground, face first. He laid there, and the cops were here in less than a minute."

Barreiro said the investigation has been turned over to Allegheny County Police detectives. He said he believes they will charge the man with robbery and weapons violations.

March 19th

2008-03-23T13:10:00.001-07:00

(Virginia) Landscaper shoots rabid fox after attacks

A rabid fox was shot Friday in the Pine Mill Subdivision off of Pinetta Road, making it the second confirmed animal with rabies in the county this year.

The fox was seen acting strangely in the neighborhood last Thursday, prompting residents to call Gloucester Animal Control, said M.B. Sheppard, the county's Environmental Health Supervisor. But deputies were unable to find the fox and advised residents that if the fox was spotted again and acting similarly to shoot it.

On Friday, the fox first attacked two adult dogs that were penned up and then two puppies playing in a ditch and exposed the two puppies to rabies, Sheppard said. A landscaper working in the subdivision saw the fox and borrowed a homeowner's shotgun before killing the animal.

Tests later confirmed the fox was rabid.

A 9-year-old girl who came in contact with the puppies is undergoing post-exposure rabies treatment, Sheppard said.

March 18th

2008-03-23T13:06:00.002-07:00

(Arizona) Stunt man turned salon owner shoots robber

A would-be robber, “picked the wrong business and the wrong cowboy to mess with,” when he entered a Phoenix storefront and pulled out a gun. That’s because Rodd Wolff leads a double life. He is a movie stuntman. In training for roles in films like “Rambo III”, “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” and “Miracle at Sage Creek”, Wolff had to be able to shoot a gun while riding a horse. He got a chance to put those cowboy skills to use in the unlikely setting of the business he owns, a hair salon.

Wolff, his wife and three clients were inside Hair Productions at 25 Street and Indian School Road about 3:30 Tuesday afternoon when the suspect walked in wearing a wig and dark sunglasses. Because of previous crimes at nearby businesses, Wolff had established a code word his employees would use in the event of a robbery. He was in a back room when he heard his wife utter the code word three times.

As the robber moved further into the salon, Wolff removed a gun that had been wrapped in a towel and ordered the man to drop his gun. When he did not comply, Wolff fired three shots, striking the suspect.

The robber dropped his wig and sunglasses and managed to get a green SUV outside the store. Wolff followed and held the man at gunpoint until police arrived.

The suspect was taken to a hospital in critical condition.Phoenix Police Lt. Robert Sparks was impressed at Wolff’s use of the code word. “It’s good for business owners to be prepared and have a plan,” Sparks said.

Wolff says he first opened the salon in 1972. His acting career began in 1966’s “Duel At Diablo”. The Internet Movie Database credits him as a stuntman in18 films or TV shows. He is also listed as an actor in one film.

Despite his actions taking down an armed robber in a salon with five innocent people, Wolff says, “I’m no hero.”

March 19th

2008-03-23T13:01:00.003-07:00

(Georgia) Elderly Tucker man kills intruder

If a DeKalb County home invasion suspect thought an elderly Tucker couple would make an easy target Tuesday night, he thought wrong. Now the suspect is dead, and DeKalb police say the 81-year-old homeowner will not face charges for shooting and killing the man.

DeKalb police spokesman J.T. Ware said that about 11 p.m., the unidentified suspect, who appeared to be in his 20s, broke into the home on Zemory Drive, in a neighborhood off Lawrenceville Highway. "The suspect, as he was entering the location, made enough noise to arouse the suspicions of the homeowner, and he was able to locate his weapon and load it," Ware said.The homeowner confronted the suspect, and after a brief struggle, shot and killed the man, Ware said.

He said the homeowner, whose name has not been released, was hospitalized for treatment of wounds suffered during the struggle, but is expected to be okay. The man's 78-year-old wife was not injured.

Ware said police do not plan to charge the homeowner."He defended his home, defended his wife," Ware said. "He did what everybody would hope to do in a situation like that."

February 27th

2008-03-10T07:02:00.002-07:00

I know this story is a little late but I didn't find it until this week. I thought it was very interesting and figured my readers would enjoy it as well. Enjoy!

David

(Massachusetts) Rochester resident held purse-snatching suspect at gunpoint

ROCHESTER — Brad Correia had just returned to his home on Mattapoisett Road from a trip to the White Mountains with his wife and two children about 10:30 p.m. Sunday when they heard a knock at the front door.
Mr. Correia, 45, was tucking his 7-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter into bed. His wife went downstairs to see who was at the door and found a young man standing outside asking for help. Before opening the door, she summoned her husband.
"Before I went downstairs, I tucked my .45 into the back of my pants," Mr. Correia said.
Mr. Correia opened the door and Steven Grover, 18, of New Bedford, reported that his car had broken down on the interstate.
Since the family had just driven home from out of state, they had no way of knowing that a manhunt for three suspects in a purse-snatching was in progress.
"I could see that he was in pretty rough shape," Mr. Correia said of the unexpected visitor. "His clothes were soaked, he was bleeding and he'd lost one sneaker in the mud when he broke through the ice. I thought that if he were my son, I'd want someone to help him, so I let him in."
Mr. Correia permitted the fugitive to use the house phone while providing him with hot tea, dry clothes and hot water to soak his chilled feet.
"He made some calls, but he couldn't get anyone to come and get him," Mr. Correia said. "He wanted to call a cab, but he had no money, so I said I would pay."
By then, however, Mr. Correia had grown suspicious of his visitor because his story kept changing as it went along, he said.
"It just didn't add up, so I called 911 and asked them if they were looking for anyone."
Based on the description provided by the police, Mr. Correia realized that his guest was a wanted man.
"When it dawned on him that I was talking to the police, he jumped out of his chair. That's when I pulled my gun. I told him to sit back down, that the police were on their way, and he did."
"I've had my permit since I was 18, and that's the first time I've ever pointed a gun at another human being. I hope I never have to do it again. I tried to be a nice guy, but he had nothing to lose at that point. He knew he was going to jail."

March 7th

2008-03-10T06:58:00.001-07:00

(Tennessee) Man Shoots, Wounds Home Intruder

A husband took matters into his own hands when his wife and newborn child were held up during a home invasion.

The woman said she was able to grab her phone and call her husband after three men kicked in her door late Thursday. The home is located in Glencliff Court in south Nashville.

The husband said he rushed home after getting the call from his wife, but was stopped by police and accused of speeding on the way. After explaining to the officer what was happening at his home, the man continued home with the officer following.

The man said he parked in the back yard and saw the intruders come running out the back of his house with guns drawn, so he grabbed his gun, and the two sides exchanged shots. “They fired shots at the citizen, and the citizen returned fire at the suspects. One of the suspects is struck and flees on foot,” said Metro police Capt. Randy Hickerson.

One intruder who was shot by the man was found later on a nearby street. The other two were able to evade capture, police said.

The woman, baby and man were not hurt. Police said the intruders did not take anything from the house.

March 6th

2008-03-10T06:55:00.002-07:00

(Colorado) Shots fired, boy scares off burglar

A boy fired a gun and chased away a burglar who tried to break into a house north of the city this afternoon, deputies said.

Ryan Dohoney was home alone when he heard a burglar inside the house, 11909 Vermillion Road, at about 12:30 p.m., Boulder County Sheriff's deputies said.

Dohoney fired a shot to scare the burglar off. The burglar fired one shot, ran out the door and ran from the property, deputies said. The burglar was dressed in black and wore a mask, deputies said.

Deputies did not say who fired the first shot, though both were fired inside the house. No one was injured.

Deputies rushed to the scene after dispatchers received calls about shots being fired. Investigators did not locate the suspect immediately.

The boy and his family were not available for comment as of 3 p.m.

March 5th

2008-03-10T06:47:00.003-07:00

(Tennessee) Clerk Defends Self Against Would-Be Burglars

A convenience store employee shot into the parking lot to prevent two men from breaking into the business.

It happened around 4 a.m. Wednesday at the Almaville Market. It is off Interstate 24 in an unincorporated area of Rutherford County known as the Almaville community.

The incident was recorded by the store's surveillance system. After the men smashed a large rock through a window, a cook picked up a gun and started shooting.

The men thought no one was inside the business."I was scared, but I think anger took over," said Donna Blanks.

Blanks is a cook and arrives early to prepare meals for customers. She said she started to shout and shoot. "I scared them like they scared me. No quite as much. They got gone," she said.

No one was hurt. Sheriff's deputies told the woman she acted within her rights to shoot at the suspects as long as she was inside the store.

If anyone has any information about this crime, they should call Rutherford County Crime Stoppers at 893-STOP (7867).

Columbine To Va. Tech To NIU: Gun-Free Zones Or Killing Fields?

2008-03-04T07:11:00.002-08:00

Dear Readers,

I was not able to put together my regular posts this week. I saw this article and found that it made some very good points. Enjoy!

David

Carry always, pay attention, and be safe!

BY JOHN R. LOTT JR.
As Northern Illinois University restarts classes this week, one thing is clear: Six minutes proved too long.
It took six minutes before the police were able to enter the classroom that horrible Thursday, and in that short time five people were murdered, 16 wounded.
Six minutes is actually record-breaking speed for the police arriving at such an attack, but it was simply not fast enough. Still, the police were much faster than at the Virginia Tech attack last year.

The previous Thursday, five people were killed in the city council chambers in Kirkwood, Mo. There was even a police officer already there when the attack occurred.
But, as happens time after time in these attacks when uniformed police are there, the killers either wait for the police to leave the area or they are the first people killed. In Kirkwood, the police officer was killed immediately when the attack started. People cowered or were reduced to futilely throwing chairs at the killer.

Just like attacks last year at the Westroads Mall in Omaha, Neb., the Trolley Square Mall in Salt Lake City and the recent attack at the Tinley Park Mall in Illinois, or all the public school attacks, they had one thing in common: They took place in "gun-free zones," where private citizens were not allowed to carry their guns with them.

The malls in Omaha and Salt Lake City were in states that let people carry concealed handguns, but private property owners are allowed to post signs that ban guns; those malls were among the few places in their states that chose such a ban.

In the Trolley Square attack, an off-duty police officer fortunately violated the ban and stopped the attack. The attack at Virginia Tech or the other public school attacks occur in some of the few areas within their states that people are not allowed to carry concealed handguns.

It is not just recent killings that are occurring in these gun-free zones. The Columbine High School shooting left 13 murdered in 1999; Luby's Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas, had 23 who were fatally shot by a deranged man in 1991; and a McDonald's in Southern California had 21 people shot dead in 1984.

Nor are these horrible incidents limited to just gun-free zones in the U.S. In 1996, Martin Bryant killed 35 people in Port Arthur, Australia. In the last half-dozen years, European countries — including France, Germany and Switzerland — have experienced multiple-victim shootings. The worst in Germany resulted in 17 deaths; in Switzerland, one attack claimed the lives of 14 regional legislators.

At some point you would think the media would notice that something is going on here, that these murderers aren't just picking their targets at random. And this pattern isn't really too surprising. Most people understand that guns deter criminals.

If a killer were stalking your family, would you feel safer putting a sign out front announcing, "This home is a gun-free zone"? But that is what all these places did.

Even when attacks occur, having civilians with permitted concealed handguns limits the damage. A major factor in determining how many people are harmed by these killers is the amount of time that elapses between when the attack starts and someone is able to arrive on the scene with a gun.

In cases from the Colorado Springs church shooting last December, in which a parishioner who was given permission by the minister to carry her concealed gun into the church quickly stopped the murder, to an attack last year in downtown Memphis to the Appalachian Law School to high schools in such places as Pearl, Miss., concealed handgun permit holders have stopped attacks well before uniformed police could possibly have arrived. Just a few weeks ago, Israeli teachers stopped a terrorist attack at a school in their country.

Indeed, despite the fears being discussed about the risks of concealed handgun permit holders, I haven't found one of these multiple-victim public shootings where a permit holder has accidentally shot a bystander.

With about 5 million Americans currently with concealed handgun permits in the U.S., and with states starting to have right-to-carry laws for as long as 80 years, we have a lot of experience with these laws and one thing is very clear: Concealed handgun permit holders are extremely law-abiding. Those who lose their permits for any gun-related violation are measured in the hundredths or thousandths of a percentage point.

We also have a lot of experience with permitted concealed handguns in schools. Prior to the 1995 Safe School Zone Act, states with right-to-carry laws let teachers or others carry concealed handguns at school. There is not a single instance that I or others have found where this produced a single problem.

Though in a minority, a number of universities — from large public schools such as Colorado State and the University of Utah to small private schools such as Hamline in Minnesota — let students carry concealed handguns on school property.

Many more schools, from Dartmouth College to Boise State University, let professors carry concealed handguns. Again, with no evidence of problems.

Few know that Dylan Klebold, one of the two Columbine killers, was closely following Colorado legislation that would have let citizens carry a concealed handgun. Klebold strongly opposed the legislation and openly talked about it.

No wonder, as the bill being debated would have allowed permitted guns to be carried on school property. It is quite a coincidence that he attacked Columbine High School the very day the legislature was scheduled to vote on the bill.

With all the media coverage of the types of guns used and how the criminal obtained the gun, at some point the news media might begin to mention the one common feature of these attacks: They keep occurring in gun-free zones.

Gun-free zones are a magnet for these attacks.

Lott is the author of "Freedomnomics" and a senior research scientist at the University of Maryland.

February 23rd

2008-02-25T07:28:00.003-08:00

(Indiana) Police: Homeowner shot man in self defense

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Metro Police say a homeowner shot a man in self-defense outside his eastside home Saturday morning. But it's not the man's first time using a gun....

Metro Police were called by a homeowner, Richard Burns, who said he had just shot a man behind his Brookville Road home.
"Apparently he heard a noise outside, went outside to see what was going on, and related to the detectives that this individual came at him with a knife, and which time he fired a shot," IMPD Sgt. Paul Thompson said.

Burns told detectives the man he shot was coming out of his car, perhaps trying to steal it.
The victim was hit in the chest and taken to Wishard Hospital in serious condition. While doctors work to save the victim's life, detectives work to figure out a complex case.

Police will determine if this shooting was indeed self-defense. What they'll also look at is the fact that Mr. Burns has been involved in two other shootings, this year alone.

February 23rd

2008-02-25T07:25:00.002-08:00

(Florida) Altamonte Springs Homeowner Shoots, Kills Intruder

Seminole County deputies said a homeowner shot and killed a teen who was trying to break into his home overnight.

Deputies said Ryan Realford, 17, approached an undercover deputy's car in the East Altamonte Springs community with an unidentified substance in his hand. They said when the teen recognized the person in a car was a deputy, he ran into a nearby backyard and tried to break into a home.

A homeowner said Realford removed a locked screen door and was trying to enter his house through a sliding glass door. The homeowner said he asked Realford to leave. When he would not, the homeowner told deputies he shot him.

Realford was taken to the hospital where he died. Deputies said it's not likely that the homeowner will face charges.

February 22nd

2008-02-25T07:16:00.001-08:00

(Arkansas)

A Dardanelle man is dead after he and an unidentified accomplice apparently broke into a residence off State Highway 22 near Dardanelle late Wednesday night, authorities said Thursday.

Yell County Sheriff Bill Gilkey confirmed one of the home’s occupants shot and killed Mike Jensen, 44, after Jensen and another man allegedly entered the residence by kicking in the front door.

Four people were inside the home at the time of the break-in, Gilkey said. Jensen — who after entering the home made his way down a hallway and was at the point of entering a bedroom when he was shot — was armed with an SKS assault rifle investigators later learned was not loaded, Gilkey said.

The other intruder fled the scene in a vehicle authorities recovered Thursday morning, Gilkey said, adding investigators were working to process the vehicle in hopes of learning the second man’s identity.

Gilkey said authorities do not expect any charges will be filed against the homeowner — who Gilkey said used “a shotgun” to deter Jensen — in connection with the matter.

He said the intruders’ motive was uncertain.“We’re just assuming that they came in there to rob the family,” he said.

February 19th

2008-02-25T07:12:00.002-08:00

(Tennessee) Brighton neighbor runs to women's aid, shoots and kills attacker

A Brighton man shot and killed a 44-year-old registered sex offender who attacked two women in their home early this morning, officials said.

According to Dist. Atty. Gen. Mike Dunavant, David Fleming charged into the home of two women at about 3 a.m.Fleming bound the women but one escaped and ran to a nearby home. Dunavant said Fleming, who lived in Munford, intended to rape the women. The woman who escaped went to the nearby home of Keith Ingram for help, Dunavant said.

Ingram, carrying a .40-caliber handgun, ran to the house and found Fleming attacking the other woman, officials said. When Fleming tried to attack Ingram, Dunavant said Ingram shot Fleming once.

Tipton County Sheriff’s deputies and Brighton Police officers found Fleming dead on the front porch of the home.

Fleming had been convicted of attempted rape in Tipton County. He’s listed on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s sex-offender registry.

Dunavant said Ingram has no criminal record and has a permit to carry the handgun.

The women who were attacked were treated at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton.

TBI officials are assisting with the case. The Shelby County Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy. Investigators took statements from several witnesses today. The shooting is still under investigation.

February 19th

2008-02-25T07:08:00.002-08:00

(Alabama) Burglary suspect shot as he flees

A 19-year-old man was shot in the back Sunday evening after he was caught rifling through an older model Chevrolet Caprice sitting in a Mobile auto body shop lot, police said. The wounded man apparently didn't find much in the car, and as he fled he lost his tennis shoes, said the business owner who shot the man. The teen was taken to the hospital, but another man with him escaped, police said.

It was the second incident over the weekend in which a man was shot while believed to be committing a crime.

On Saturday, one of two men allegedly forcing their way into a Midtown home was shot and killed by either his own gun or his partner's gun as a resident struggled to keep them out of the house, police said.

Unlike the home invader, the 19-year-old man suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police spokesman Officer Eric Gallichant said.

Isaac Taylor said he was inside his business --Taylor Made Auto Shop on Halls Mill Road -- about 6:30 p.m. when he heard something outside. Taylor, 44, said he opened the door and surveyed a dark parking lot full of vehicles he had been hired to fix. He said he spotted a man sitting in the Caprice. There was another man moving around inside a black four-door Honda Civic, Taylor said Monday.

Taylor said he fired his .38-caliber pistol as the two men fled. He said he then caught and tackled the 19-year-old in the driveway that the auto shop shares with Aramark Uniform Services. "He told me his stomach was burning," Taylor said. "The way he had been running, I didn't think he had been shot." Taylor said he called 911 when he realized that the man was wounded.

Police declined to release the 19-year-old's name Monday. The man will be arrested and charged once he is released from the hospital, Gallichant said.Police will identify the man once investigators sign warrants against him, Gallichant said.

Taylor said he had seen the man he shot using his driveway as a short cut between Halls Mill and Navco roads. He said he didn't get a good look at the second man.

Usually no one is at the shop on Sundays, but Taylor said he was there trying to finish painting a Nissan Ultima. "I guess they thought no one was out here," he said. Taylor said he thought the men had rifled through several unlocked vehicles, but he didn't know if anything was taken. He is asking his customers whether anything is missing when they come to pick up their vehicles.

Taylor said he carries a gun because of previous robberies and burglaries. "I'm working hard every day," Taylor said Monday evening as he pulled tape off the door of the newly painted red Ultima.

In addition to the 19-year-old's tennis shoes, one of Taylor's employees found jumper cables lying in the parking lot Monday, he said.

"I hate to say this, but I kind of feel sorry for him," Taylor said.

February 15th

2008-02-18T06:45:00.001-08:00

(Delaware) Liquor store owner shoots robbery suspect

It took seven shots from Bernis Martin's Smith & Wesson M&P 9 mm pistol before the Wilmington merchant hit his target. And he felt vindicated afterward.
"I had one robbery attempt before, but he wasn't able to get anything," Martin said Thursday night, standing inside his BGM Liquor Store at 11th and Lombard streets. "This time I have some vengeance because he did get hit."

Martin was speaking the day after he fended off a robbery with his handgun, clipping one of four fleeing suspects and sending the others banging on doors crying for help.

Wilmington police took his weapon as evidence in the 10 p.m. shooting, but filed no charges against the store owner for wounding a 15-year-old suspect in the right thigh.
Police said the wounded youth was arrested at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, Pa., where he allegedly went for treatment. Three others charged with trying to rob Martin as he was leaving his store were arrested in the neighborhood.

Before their arrests, two of the suspects were heard banging on rear doors, shouting, "Open the door, let me in," said Wilmington Master Sgt. Steven Barnes.
Police said it was the 15-year-old who was later wounded who approached Martin as he was leaving the store and demanded money.

"I was startled when I saw him," Martin said. "He looked like he might have been startled, too. He had a hood covering his head and a white-and-black bandanna on his face. He said 'Give it up, old head,' " Martin, 53, said from behind the glass door that separates him from the customers he serves. Several loyal patrons came by to check on him Thursday night.
Martin said the only reason he was caught off guard was because he was headed to his second job as a technician for Chrysler in Newark. He wanted to rush to the store to get his wife some roses for Valentine's Day.

"I was behind these pillars, so I guess he couldn't see me. He said, 'What you doing?' I guess when I didn't answer he shot at me. That's when I shot back," Martin said. He said he has applied for a permit to carry the gun which he holsters on his hip.

Police said the youngster shot at Martin with a .22-caliber rifle, which they recovered in making the arrests after officers responded to a call of shots fired in the area of 10th and Pine streets.
As responding officers ran to the corner where the shooting happened, they saw two people running and chased them to rear yards in the 1000 block of Lombard St., where both were arrested.

Detectives later learned that the 15-year-old had turned up at the hospital, telling medics he was wounded in downtown Wilmington near Fifth and Orange streets. Detectives went to the hospital, interviewed the teen and brought him back to Wilmington to face charges.
The fourth participant, a 17-year-old boy, was arrested after officers raided a home in the 1000 block of Lombard St.

The two teens, along with Christopher Whittaker, 20, of the 300 block of Rolling Green, in New Castle, and Cory Clark, 20, also of the 1000 block of Lombard St., were charged with first-degree robbery, possession of a firearm during a felony, reckless endangering and conspiracy.

February 14th

2008-02-18T06:42:00.002-08:00

(Texas) One Arrested In Home Burglary

Dallas police arrested one person in connection with a home burglary, but not at the crime location. In fact, no one was inside the home that SWAT police surrounded for hours Thursday afternoon.

It all started around 3 p.m. when a homeowner interrupted a burglary in progress in the 2800 block of W. 8th Street near Westmoreland Avenue. A neighbor had called him at work and told him three people were breaking into his house.

The armed homeowner, who says he has several other weapons and lots of ammunition at the house, arrived with his own weapon drawn and confronted the three intruders."He had a gun with him and fired a couple of rounds and he believes he struck one of them," said Sr. Cpl. Geraldo Monreal of the Dallas Police Department. "Two of the suspects fled. The third suspect ran back inside the house where he has barricaded himself inside the residence." Police threw tear gas into the home, but later discovered it to be empty.

They later found one person with gunshot wounds at Parkland Hospital and arrested him in connection with this crime. Two others are still on the run.

February 13th

2008-02-18T06:36:00.002-08:00

(Texas) WWII vet sends armed burglar suspect to hospital

Police said one man is in the hospital after an elderly North Texas man took action into his own hands when confronted by two armed brothers inside his home Saturday night. Police said they believe the brothers went to 80-year-old James Pickett's home with the intent to rob him, and even possibly kill him. However, Pickett - a World War II veteran, former fighter and lifelong John Wayne devotee - wasn't about to let that happen.

It all began Saturday night when Pickett said he opened his door and two men barged inside."He just come through that door stabbing and beating," he said. However, Pickett said just before he went to answer the door, he had first placed a pistol into his pocket. "And he jumped and turned, and I shot him there," he said.

The two brothers, Paul and Holden Perry, ran, but didn't get far before calling an ambulance. One of the bullets just missed Paul Perry's spine. "He's my hero," said one neighbor of Pickett.

"Well, I ain't got no business being a hero, by no means," he said.

Both brothers face assault, burglary and robbery charges. Deputies assured Pickett they aren't likely to get out of jail anytime soon.

However, he didn't seem that worried anyhow."I think I'm a ten times better shot than he is," he said. "... But, they best not come back."

February 12th

2008-02-18T06:32:00.002-08:00

(Michigan) Homeowner Shoots, Kills Invader

DETROIT -- A man was shot eight times and killed Monday night as he tried to rob a home on Detroit's east side, police said.Police said two men were trying to break into a home on the 5200 block of Kensington Avenue when the homeowner inside grabbed his pistol and fired.

One of the home invaders was killed and the other fled in a newer-model white Chevrolet Impala.The homeowner's mother was sleeping in the house at the time and was not harmed.

The homeowner is not expected to face charges.

February 12th

2008-02-18T06:25:00.003-08:00

(South Carolina) Allsbroom man disarms would-be robber

Last Friday was an evening for break-ins in Loris, bringing victims to believe they might be related.

Bill Kaufmann, owner of The Sod Farm, was in bed like any other evening, when he heard a knock on his front door the evening of Jan. 25."They were waiting on us to shut our lights off," Kaufman said. Thinking it was his foreman, Ronnie Thompson, Kaufmann opened the door, only to find a man holding a knife and threatening to kill him.

Kaufmann, who used to train police officers, managed to get the knife away from the suspect, and get to his shotgun that he kept in his bedroom. "I could tell by the way he was holding the knife that he had never done this kind of thing before," Kaufmann said.

When the suspect saw the gun, he ran out of the house, just about the same time that three others suspects had broken a door down to get into the trailer Kaufmann uses for the Sod Farm's office. "They had to know where we kept the petty cash, because they went right for that drawer, but we had happened to move it, so they didn't get cash, just deposit slips," Kaufmann said.

The burglary took place just across U.S. 701 from another burglary that happened earlier that morning on Barrett St., where safe and other items had been stolen. Two suspects were arrested following that break-in.

While there have been no reports that the two are related, one of the suspects that was arrested for the Barrett St. burglary, is listed as a possible suspect on the police report for The Sod Farm break-in. Kaufmann believes that it was someone who worked for him previously because they knew exactly where the money was kept. "They had to know where we kept the money, we have some idea of who it could be," Kaufmann said.

As for now, Kaufmann said that they have upgraded their security system at their home and office, and hope that it will keep them safe in the future. "It was a wake up call to us, we though the deadbolts would be enough, and it wasn't," he said. "It was quite an alarming experience," He said.

Kaufmann, who said that he could have shot the suspect, but didn't, said that people in the area need to know what is happening so they can protect themselves as well.

"People need to know that these kids are going around, busting in on people, the next person might shoot them," Kaufmann said.

February 7th

2008-02-11T06:23:00.000-08:00

(Washington) Would-be teen burglars arrested in Burien

Four would-be teenage burglars had a bad day on Thursday. First, the owner of the house they were burglarizing came home and chased them out of his house at gunpoint. Then two of the burglars were caught by police within minutes. Finally, the last two were caught after the area was flooded with King County sheriff's deputies, Burien officers and a police chopper.

The incident began when a man returned to his home in the 16400 block of Ambaum Boulevard South after walking his dog and found a burglar in his kitchen. As the suspect ran for the front door, he was joined by his three other suspects coming from various areas of the house. The homeowner grabbed his handgun and gave chase.

A passer-by saw the fleeing suspects and pointed out the direction they fled to the homeowner and arriving deputies. Plain-clothes detectives coming into the area spotted two of the four and they were promptly arrested.

During the search for the remaining suspects, the Sheriff's Office received a call from a man in Mount Vernon who said his teenage son had just called him and breathlessly related: "The cops are looking for me ... and they've got a helicopter."

Finally, workers at a nearby townhouse spotted the last two suspects skulking along a fence line. Deputies converged and took them into custody without incident. The suspects, ages 14, 14, 16, and 17, were from Burien, Mill Creek, and Seattle. All were booked into the Youth Service Center for investigation of burglary.

February 8th

2008-02-11T06:17:00.000-08:00

(Mississippi) Jackson Store Clerk Shoots Man Attempting Robbery

A man attempting to rob a Jackson store clerk gets more than he bargained for when the would-be victim decides to fight back.

James Nichols was closing up for the day when the incident happened at the All American Check Exchange on Suncrest Drive in south Jackson. Nichols says an armed man wearing a hood confronted him as was about to get into his truck to head home around 6:30 Friday night. But Nichols was prepared to protect himself. "I pulled my gun and he started hollering no don't, and I tried to knock the gun away so that it wouldn't be pointed at me and I fired three times."

Nichols says the suspect then dropped his weapon and ran away. Witnesses tell police the man left in a gold Toyota sedan. Now police are trying to determine if a man being treated for gunshot wounds at the University Medical Center is the same person that Nichols shot. Investigators were unable to question him because he was listed in critical condition. Nichols says he's not sure how many times he may have struck the assailant. But Nichols says because crime is so common, he never goes anywhere unarmed. "I hope it doesn't happen again but I will be prepared again if it does."

February 9th

2008-02-11T06:11:00.000-08:00

(Florida) Victim Shoots Getaway Vehicle

A man fired a gun Wednesday at the getaway vehicle of a burglar who had just broken into his home, and he managed to hit a tire, police said. Authorities say they identified and charged the burglar.

Now they are looking for the vehicle, described as a dark blue GMC Envoy, Lt. Mike Loux said.

The burglary victim and his wife arrived home in the 1500 block of North Peaceful Lane and spotted a sport utility vehicle in their driveway, Loux said.The wife looked into the unfamiliar vehicle to see whether anyone was inside, Loux said. Nobody was.

The husband thought something was wrong and retrieved a .357-caliber firearm from his glove box, Loux said. The man is licensed to carry a concealed firearm. The husband opened the garage door and at about the same time noticed someone coming from a side yard toward the driveway, Loux said. The person hopped into the Envoy and began to back out of the driveway, Loux said. The couple's car was behind the Envoy, and the husband thought the Envoy was going to hit him, his wife or their car, Loux said.

The husband shot twice at the driver's side front tire as the Envoy sped away. Investigators determined the driver of the Envoy had burglarized the couple's home, Loux said.On Thursday, Largo authorities learned of an arrest by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. The man, identified by Largo police as Robert Jacobs, 48, told authorities he burglarized the home and was unaware anyone had fired at the Envoy, Loux said.

Authorities, who did not identify the couple, are still looking for the Envoy. Its Florida license plate number is X835WY. Detectives also are trying to determine whether Jacobs committed any other burglaries, Loux said.

February 7th

2008-02-11T06:07:00.000-08:00

(Texas) Man fights back against would-be robber

A would-be robber was shot and killed by the person he was trying to rob in the parking lot of a grocery store in southeast Houston. Investigators told Eyewitness News the would-be robber had the tables turned on him when the person he was trying to rob pulled out his own gun and shot the man.

It was just after 10pm last night when the victim told police he pulled into the parking lot at the H-E-B in the Gulfgate shopping center on Winkler near the Gulf Freeway. Tha'ts when a man walked up to his car and pointed a gun at him. What the robber didn't know is the man had a gun and he retaliated with gunfire.

"He had just parked and as he was about to get out the car, the guy came up to his door," said Sgt. Robert Odom with the Houston Police Department. "Do you know if he was going to carjack him?" we asked. "I don't know. He told him to get back in. I don't know what he was planning to do at that point, if he was planning on taking the truck or if he was just going to rob him," said Sgt. Odom.

The would-be robber was shot several times. He tried to get away by jumping into a car that was parked nearby. However, he fell out of the car and later died.

Police did arrest the driver of the car and believe he may be the second suspect in the case.

February 6th

2008-02-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

(Montana) Billings man who fired pistol in self-defense released

A Billings man who was arrested after firing a pistol in a tavern parking lot has been released from the county jail.Justin Swanz, 26, was freed about 10 hours after his arrest early Tuesday when county prosecutors sent the case back to police for further investigation. Chief Deputy County Attorney Mark Murphy said he could not discuss details of the case, but Swanz claimed in an interview Wednesday that he fired the pistol in self-defense.

Swanz was arrested after police responded about 1:20 a.m. Tuesday to a weapons complaint at Shooters Casino and Sports Bar, 1600 Ave. D. Officers stopped Swanz as he was leaving the parking lot in a Jeep Cherokee.

Swanz told The Gazette on Wednesday that he fired once into the air as six or seven men advanced on him in the parking lot following a confrontation inside the bar. Swanz said he fired the Taurus .44 Special revolver once. "They were going to beat me up," Swanz said. "I had no choice but to fire that shot in the air. It was total self-defense."

Swanz said he had arrived at the tavern alone between 10 and 11 p.m. to play pool. He bought a pitcher of beer and played several pool games with another man. Swanz said he went to leave shortly after 1 a.m. and was confronted by men who claimed he owed the other man $1,200 for betting losses on the pool table. Swanz said he did not bet on the games, but the men threatened him and one man grabbed his pocket knife from his front pants pocket. Swanz was told to leave, so he grabbed his jacket and walked out of the tavern, he said.

As he walked to his car, Swanz said, the men followed and continued to threaten him. When it appeared they were going to attack him, Swanz said, he pulled his pistol from his coat pocket, pointed it into the air and fired one shot. The gunfire stopped the men, although someone threw ice on him, he said.

Swanz said he does not have a concealed weapons permit. Swanz said he is unemployed and he has no criminal record.

January 25th

2008-01-27T11:41:00.000-08:00

(Georiga) Wheelchair-bound Man Shoots Attacker

A homeowner who is confined to a wheelchair shot and wounded a man who confronted him on his door step, Atlanta police told 11Alive News.

The homeowner was on his way out of his house on Flat Shoals Avenue Friday morning when he ran into a man at his door. The homeowner asked the man to leave, but the man started to assault the homeowner, authorities said.

During a struggle, the homeowner grabbed a gun and shot the attacker in the arm and chest.

The suspect was taken to the hospital. His condition was not known. The homeowner was not injured.

January 22nd

2008-01-27T11:36:00.000-08:00

(Alabama) Suspect, Victim Shot in Apparent Home Invasion

Witnesses say three men kicked down the door to a Montgomery man's home and only two made it out without being shot.

Montgomery police responded to the shooting in the 2700 block of Cherry Street around 6:30 Monday evening and found 22-year-old Tavaris Trammer lying on the floor with gunshot wounds to the neck and leg. The resident was also shot in the arm.

According to MPD spokesman Captain Huey Thornton witnesses reported that three men kicked in the door, attempted to rob the resident and then shot him in the arm. The resident then used a 9mm handgun and shot Mr. Trammer in the neck and leg.

The other two suspects fled the scene, one ran out the front door and the other jumped out a window.

Trammer was taken to Jackson Hospital where he is in serious but stable condition. Doctors say he may be paralyzed from the neck down.The resident was also treated for his wounds.

Meanwhile, a Robbery 1st Degree warrant has been issued against Trammer.

January 22nd

2008-01-27T11:32:00.000-08:00

(Colorado) Teen Says He Didn't Hesitate To Shoot Armed Robbers

A Fountain teenager who woke up to the sounds of robbers in his home said that he didn't hesitate to shoot the men before they took off with his flat screen television.

Fountain police spokesman Sgt. Jess Freeman said the suspects are currently hospitalized for treatment of gunshot wounds. Their names have not been released.

Cody Buckler, 19, said he was asleep at about 11 p.m. Sunday when he heard unfamiliar voices in the living room. He told authorities he overheard someone tell a child in the house that they were a police officer, so Buckler crept down the hall and saw two men who were wearing masks, hats and gloves.

Buckler then went back to his bedroom, grabbed a 12-gauge shotgun and shot one of the men as the man carried out Buckler's flat-screen TV. He then shot the second man as the man came up the stairs toward him.

Both men escaped but were apprehended at a nearby hospital by police. They both had semiautomatic handguns, according to police.

Buckler's girlfriend, her young daughter and two other children live in the home.

Police said they don't plan to file charges against Buckler at this point because the shooting appears to be covered by Colorado's "Make My Day" law, which allows a homeowner to use deadly force if they believe lives are in danger.

January 22nd

2008-01-27T11:25:00.000-08:00

(Missouri) Unwelcome visitor: Bentleys briefly host invading coyote

Authorities on the subject say that coyotes avoid human contact. On their Web site, Missouri Department of Conservation says, "Typically shy, elusive animals, coyotes don't normally pose a threat to humans. Most people who live in areas of high coyote populations rarely see one." Apparently, the coyote that invaded the home of Lloyd and Rosamae Bentley in late December doesn't own a computer.

The Bentleys were enjoying a quiet evening at home when Lloyd heard a thump on the wall outside the front window. Then his two dogs started barking. One of the dogs is part husky, the other a beagle. Bentley said the beagle is "a little dog, but he barks big." When Bentley opened the front door, he spotted a coyote lurking between the bushes and the window. Accompanied by a chorus of barking and yelping from the two dogs, he went back into the house to get a broom, hoping to shoo the coyote away. By the time he got back outside, the dogs had cornered the animal on the porch. Realizing the broom wouldn't be of much use, Bentley went back inside the house to get his shotgun.

When he opened the door again, the by-now panicked coyote quickly slipped past him into the living room, and, spotting the fireplace, tried to take cover inside it. Unfortunately for the coyote, the fireplace is screened.

After that, the situation rapidly deteriorated into chaos. As his wife blocked the coyote's access to the rest of the house, Bentley went after it, opening the living room door in the vain hope the intruder would run for safety, but that didn't work, either. "He wouldn't have none of that," Bentley said.

With the coyote now cowering behind a chair in the living room, Bentley grabbed a fireplace poker and took a mighty whack at the animal, but, he said, "He didn't go down." Wielding a larger poker, Bentley finally connected, but still, "He wouldn't go down." It took another blow or two, resulting in a bent poker, to finally stun the coyote to the point where Bentley could handle it.

He was eventually able to drag the mangy-looking animal outside, where he shot it.

January 21st

2008-01-27T11:18:00.000-08:00

(Florida) 'Sweetest, kindest gentleman' shoots suspect

A white-haired 85-year-old man, rushing to his son's defense, shot and wounded a would-be car thief Monday morning in Little Havana, Miami police said.

The suspect, Norberto Fernandez, 29, had been trying to steal Jorge Jauregui's white Honda Accord in front of his house, 1368 SW 14th St.Jorge Jauregui, 50, armed with a handgun, ordered Fernandez out of the car, police said. ''I don't care,'' responded the alleged thief, according to Miami police spokesman William Moreno. The two engaged in a ''vicious fight,'' Moreno said.

Then his father, Florentino Jauregui, also armed, rushed out of the house and ''fearing his grandson was being overpowered,'' shot and wounded Fernandez, Moreno said.

The shooting could be ruled justified under Florida's self-defense law.''He was not protecting property but was protecting bodily injury to his own grandson. The investigation is preliminary but it appears he might be covered under that law,'' Moreno said.

Fernandez, a felon with a long criminal history, was charged later Monday with burglary to a motor vehicle, aggravated assault and battery, police said. He was also fingered as the man who robbed a woman of her purse a few blocks away earlier in the morning, police said. In that case, he was charged with strong-armed robbery. Investigators believe he had escaped in a stolen white Toyota, which was later found nearby with a nail in the tire. He may have been trying to steal another car when confronted by the Jauregui family.

Fernandez was taken to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in stable condition, Moreno said.A neighbor, Laura George, called grandfather Florentino Jauregui ``the sweetest, kindest gentleman in the neighborhood.''

The shooting happened about 9 a.m. in the 1300 block of Southwest 14th Street, only blocks from where another elderly resident, former 1930s Cuban track star Marta Suarez, helped police nab a purse snatcher in September. Wearing designer sneakers, the 85-year-old Suarez chased the man into the path of a police cruiser. She got her purse back. He went to jail. Suarez, still wearing the same Coach sneakers, wandered by the crime scene Monday after the latest confrontation between age and youth.

January 18th

2008-01-20T21:33:00.000-08:00

(Florida) Orlando victim turns gun on 4 robbers

An armed citizen surprised four men who robbed him at gunpoint last week.

After being ordered to his knees, Russel Olofson warned the men that "they should think about it," according to an Orlando police report released this week. A private investigator with military training, Olofson, 24, told police the robbers snatched his cell phone and a wallet containing his concealed-weapon permit shortly before 10 p.m. Friday outside Ridge Club Apartments.

After the robbers took his items, Olofson stood up, drew his Springfield XD sub-compact 9 mm handgun "and fired two rounds toward male #1 with the silver handgun, possibly striking him," the report states. "Males #2, #3, and #4 then ran southeast . . . and male #1 ran northeast . . ."A search by police quickly turned up a pistol likely used in the holdup, the report said. The .45-caliber Ruger pistol and clothing believed to have been worn by male 1 were found in the backyard of a home on Alrix Drive, reports state.

The serial numbers on the pistol had been scratched off, a common sign the weapon may have been stolen.The cell phone and wallet were not recovered. The wallet contained an Iraq Embassy badge, an Army contractor's ID card, Olofson's drivers license and a credit card. Anyone who finds the wallet or knows the identities of the robbers is asked to call Crimeline at 407-423-8477.Olofson, who had been conducting an investigation for Briggs Corp. Solutions, was not injured.

A check by police of area hospitals did not find any reports of patients treated for gunshot wounds.

January 16th

2008-01-20T21:06:00.000-08:00

(New York) Deli Owner Shoots Alleged Robber

Thirty year old Shaun Ford allegedly went into the West Side Market on Carolina Street in Buffalo with a shotgun and a mask. His get away car with license plate partially covered was waiting outside. Police say he pointed a gun at the owner and got more than he bargained for. The owner had a gun too. "He relaxed like he was going to cooperate and then when the guy raised the gun again at him, he believed it's time to shoot, otherwise he was going to be shot at." said Buffalo Police Lt. David Stabler.

"I never felt uncomfortable in there before. Now, I don't know if I want to go back in there." said Kristy Taylor. She lives right next door and visit that store daily. She describes the owner as a kind person. "He's a sweet heart. He's very personable. I'm just glad that nothing happened to him." she said.

"Verbal testimony can be skewed. Things can be forgotten. The video is going to tell us everything." said Lt. Stabler. Charges are not being filed against the owner, but police are thoroughly investigating the shooting.

The owner was unharmed. As for the alleged robber, he left, not in his get away car, but in an ambulance after being hit at least once in the leg. He was transported to ECMC, and is expected to survive. "I think anybody has a right to self defense. Of course, we don't encourage vigilantism, but these store owners or anybody else has the right be safe." said Lt. Stabler.

January 15th

2008-01-20T21:01:00.000-08:00

(New York) Pizzeria owner on Clinton fires shot, thwarting two robbers

The 78-year-old owner of a Clinton Street pizzeria averted a robbery Monday night when he fired a single warning shot, prompting two robbers to run away, police reported.

The attempted robbery took place inside Bocce Club Pizzeria, 630 Clinton, at about 7:40 p.m. when two men entered his business and one pointed a handgun at the owner, according to Ferry-Fillmore District Police. The owner retaliated by pulling out his own gun and firing a single shot through the pizzeria's plexiglass, which scared off the thieves, police said.

This is the second time this month that robbers have targeted this pizzeria. On Jan. 2, the owner was confronted at about 7 p.m. by two men who entered his business and one of the men pulled out a black semiautomatic pistol and demanded money from the cash register. During that incident, the men fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

January 10th

2008-01-14T06:19:00.000-08:00

(Florida) Man kills attacking pit bull

A Tamarac man shot and killed a pit bull named Trouble after the dog escaped from its nearby home and attacked him on Thursday.

Here is what happened, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office: Around 5:20 p.m. Trouble broke through a screen on the rear patio at a home on the 4500 block of Northwest 16th Way. Children playing nearby screamed, ``Trouble is out.'' Hearing the commotion, Paulo Jean, 35, stepped outside his home next door. Trouble attacked him, biting his buttocks and both arms. Jean pulled a .380 semiautomatic handgun from his pants pocket and fired three shots.Trouble died at the scene.

Jean was taken to Broward General Medical Center with serious injuries.

Broward County Animal Care and Regulation removed the dead dog and took another dog that also got loose from the same residence. The dogs' owner was not at home when the attack occurred. Jean had a valid concealed weapons permit.

January 10th

2008-01-14T06:16:00.000-08:00

(Indiana) 911 Tape Captures Horror Before Fatal Shooting

Police in Northwest Indiana have released the audio tape of an emergency call for help.

A woman was reportedly watching TV when she heard a window breaking in her home and called 911. She then hid in a closet, armed with a gun.

The tape captures the woman struggling with a man, repeatedly saying, "Stop it. Stop it."T he woman eventually shot and killed the intruder.

Police said she will not face charges, because she acted in self defense.

Click here to listen to all of the chilling 911 call

January 9th

2008-01-14T06:13:00.000-08:00

(North Carolina) Pizza man shoots robbery suspect

CHARLOTTE -- A pizza delivery man fought back after an attempted robbery late Tuesday night in east Charlotte.Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say the man was delivering pizza around 9 p.m. to an address at the Greenbrier apartments off Sharon Amity Road, near Eastland Mall.
When the customer tried to rob him, police say the delivery man fired shots then reported the incident. The victim was lying on the grass when police and paramedics arrived. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

This marks the fourth homicide in Charlotte through the first eight days of the year. “Only eight days into the year and already this is our fourth homicide," said CMPD Officer Bob Fey. "It’s troubling and it’s definitely a concern."

Police have not said if the delivery man will face charges. They have not released the name of the person killed at this time.

January 8th

2008-01-14T06:05:00.000-08:00

(California) El Dorado DA identifies dead suspect; hails gun-wielding neighbor

The El Dorado County District Attorney's Office has identified the 33-year-old man who the DA said was responsible for Sunday's stabbing rampage which left one man dead and one man wounded as Behnam Pazoki.Pazoki, who family members described as mentally ill, was visiting relatives in El Dorado Hills on Sunday when he grabbed a kitchen knife and chased terrified relatives into the street.

During the rampage, which occurred on the 1000 block of Venezia Drive, Pazoki stabbed Vahid Seyedin, 47, the owner of the home he was staying at, and killed his uncle Ahmad Pazeky, 58, according the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office.

Pazoki was ultimately shot by a neighbor, Shahin Kohan, 47, who witnessed the attack and came to the family's aid armed with a handgun, sheriffs said. In a press release issued today, the district attorney's office said that after Kohan warned Pazoki to stop, Pazoki turned his attention to him and other neighbors that had gathered around watching the horror unfold.

"Mr. Kohan's actions directly prevented other people and himself from being seriously injured or killed," the release said.

El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson called Kohan's actions heroic in the release.""All too often the term hero is applied to situations where it is inappropriate...," Pierson said in the release. "Mr. Kohan was a bystander whose quick action, done at great risk to him, likely saved lives and certainly prevented additional injuries. Mr. Kohan, by any definition, is in fact a hero."

Sheriff's Deputies briefly detained Kohan on murder charges following the incident, but quickly released him after the facts of the case were reviewed.

January 8th

2008-01-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

(South Dakota) 80-year-old woman shoots mountain lion in her yard

Eighty-year-old Martha Smith admits she was a little nervous when she walked out of her house to shoot a mountain lion snarling at her in her ranch house yard.

It was about 4:30 p.m. last Thursday and the light was already fading when she heard her dog barking outside her house south of Fairburn. Smith looked outside and saw a mountain lion in her garden. Worried about the dog’s safety, she grabbed her .22 rifle, walked outside and took a shot at the lion but missed.

She went back inside and called 911 but the dispatcher had trouble finding someone from Game, Fish & Parks.So Smith, who learned to shoot as a girl on the family ranch, grabbed the rifle again, went back outside and walked to within about 20 feet of the mountain lion. She said she was a little nervous. “I didn’t know whether I had a small one or a big one,” Smith said. All I could see was three feet of tail and it was snarling and spitting at me.”

Smith aimed for the cat’s chest where she figured its heart would be and fired. The cat jumped up, ran a short distance and dropped dead.

A GF&P staffer showed up a few hours later and measured the cat, a 90-pound male. Smith said she was worried whether the young lion’s mother was around. But the young cat had been fitted with a collar, so GF&P was able to track its mother, which had been shot by a hunter.

“Thank God he was little because I don’t think my .22 would have killed the big one, Smith said. She says she always keeps her .22 rifle loaded. “What good’s a gun if it’s not loaded?”

January 6th

2008-01-14T05:57:00.000-08:00

(Texas) Video captures home invasion attempt

GLENN HEIGHTS - An attempted break-in early Sunday morning led to a terrifying and unexpected wake up call for a woman in Glenn Heights.

While four men failed to break into Carrie Shannon's home on Brentwood Street, their attempt was captured on surveillance video.

Shannon was home alone when the men tried to kick in her door around 4:35 a.m.
"I immediately jumped up," she said of when she heard the loud kicking.
After hearing the men, Shannon said she got out of bed and called police on her cell phone.
"I grabbed my handgun and I proceeded right to the back, because as soon as I saw a shadow, I was going to go ahead and start shooting," she said.

After several kicks, the men gave up and took off.

"I just want to be safe here in my own home," Shannon said. "That's it. That's all I want."

Signs of the attempted home invasion were everywhere in the form of broken glass, damage to the door and a broken lock.
Shannon's home security camera didn't miss a beat either. It even caught one of the men cutting the phone line. The video was turned over to police.

January 1st

2008-01-06T23:10:00.000-08:00

(Massachusetts) Alleged bank robber didn't notice police

A man passed a note to a bank teller yesterday in a Dorchester bank, demanding large bills and no "funny money," police said.

Little did he know, Officer Kamau Pritchard was standing right behind him, in uniform, about to pull out his service weapon and place the man under arrest.

"He doesn't realize I'm behind him," said Pritchard, 30, who has worked two years for the Boston Police Department. "He's focused on actually getting the money."

Adam Grennan, 39, of Hull, is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow in Dorchester District Court on a charge of unarmed bank robbery.

Grennan drew immediate suspicion when he entered Mt. Washington Bank at 489 Gallivan Blvd. at about 10:44 a.m., wearing large white gloves, an oversized hooded parka, and a scarf that covered his face, Pritchard said.

Pritchard, who was working a paid security detail at the bank, had stepped away from the lobby to drink a cup of tea in a back office. But he could see Grennan walk in through surveillance monitors in the office.

At the same time, an assistant manager started banging on the office door, warning Pritchard that a suspicious character looked like he was about to attempt a robbery. Eight bank employees became nervous, Pritchard said.

By the time Pritchard came back to the lobby, Grennan had allegedly passed the note. The teller stalled, before handing over a stack of bills, Pritchard said. "Then [the teller] starts saying, 'He's trying to rob me.' "

As Grennan turned around, Pritchard had his gun drawn and arrested him. The bank was closed for several hours as officers flooded the scene. Grennan was searched but was unarmed, according to the police report.

The incident was among three attempted bank robberies around Boston yesterday, police said. Suspects fled before police could arrest them in the two other cases, police said.

January 6th

2008-01-06T23:05:00.000-08:00

(Michigan) Elderly Man Shoots Home Intruder

An 82-year-old man on Detroit's northwest side shot and severely wounded an intruder who walked into his Collingwood Street home Sunday afternoon.

Police said that the intruder, a 44-year-old man from Redford, was visiting friends in the neighborhood when he entered the home of Thomas Jackson, 82, and his wife. Jackson grabbed his gun and shot the intruder.

Police are investigating why the man had entered the home, but a friend told Local 4 that the intruder has a history of mental illness "What he does, he's been known to go into people's houses and just sit down," said friend Charles Smith."He don't know where he is. He'll go into people's cars and sit down, you know, follow strangers down the street."

The intruder was listed in critical condition at Henry Ford Hospital Sunday evening.

January 5th

2008-01-06T21:09:00.000-08:00

(Pennsylvania) Robber, store manager trade gunshots

Gunfire rang out during a Friday night robbery at the Mangat Mini Market on West Orange Street, but nobody was struck or injured, according to city police and the store's manager.

The manager, David Mangat, and a fleeing robber fired a shot each with their handguns after the robber grabbed some cash. The two were only about 10 feet apart, but neither man was hit. "He started shooting, and I started shooting at him," said Mangat, who has a concealed weapons permit.

Mangat, 23, of Lancaster, said he was behind the counter of the market at 629 W. Orange St. when a man wearing a long dark coat entered the store at about 11:45 p.m. "He reached under his coat and came out with a handgun. Then he told me to put the money in the bag," said Mangat." I started talking to him. I wanted to create a diversion so I could get to my gun," said Mangat. "I asked him if he wanted more money. He said 'yes,"' That gave Mangat the chance to reach into the area where he kept his weapon. The manager came up holding his own handgun instead of more bills. When the robber saw the gun, he turned and started running toward the door. But before leaving the store, he turned and fired one round that struck a wall inside the store, Mangat and police said.

Mangat said he fired one shot at the robber, but missed. Mangat said he did not know which direction the robber fled nor how much money was stolen.

A report of a "robbery with shots fired" sent police rushing to the store, which is where Marietta Avenue splits off from West Orange Street.

January 2nd

2008-01-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

(Indiana) Armed customer thwarts grocery robbery

A 51-year-old man stopped a masked man from robbing a Southside grocery store and held him at gunpoint until police arrived.

Charlie Merrell was in checkout line at Bucks IGA Supermarket, 3015 S. Meridian St., when a masked man jumped a nearby counter and held a gun on a store employee at 5:17 p.m. Monday, according to a police report made public today.

While the suspect was demanding cash from the workers, the police report states that Merrell pulled his own handgun, pointed it at the robber and ordered him to put down his weapon. When the suspect hesitated, Merrell racked the slide on his gun to load a round in the chamber, Officer Jason Bockting wrote in the report. The suspect placed his gun and a bag of cash on the counter, dropping some of the money, police said. The suspect removed his mask and lay on the floor.

Merrell held the suspect at gunpoint until officers arrived and took him away in handcuffs. Merrell had a valid permit to carry the handgun, police said.

Police recovered an unloaded .380-caliber handgun from the suspect and $779 in cash, according to the report.

Dwain Smith, 19, was arrested on initial charges of robbery, criminal confinement, pointing a firearm, battery and carrying a handgun without a license. Smith remained held this morning in the Marion County Jail with bond set at $30,000, records show.

January 2nd

2008-01-06T20:58:00.000-08:00

(Tennessee) Sullivan County homeowner holds burglar at gunpoint

According to a press release from the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, a resident of Ambrosia Drive was awakened about 4 a.m. Tuesday by his dog's barking. When the homeowner went to investigate, armed with a gun, he found a man going through items in his utility room. He held the burglar at gunpoint until officers arrived.

Jacob D. Brehm, 25, 314 Sonnett Court, is charged with aggravated burglary, held at the Sullivan County Correctional Facility. Police say Brehm entered the Ambrosia Drive home through a dog-door.

January 2nd

2008-01-06T20:54:00.000-08:00

(Texas) San Antonio road rage killing deemed self-defense

In an apparent case of road rage, a motorist shot a driver to death who threatened him with a baseball bat. Police said that the shooting just after midnight on New Year's Day appeared to be in self-defense, so they didn't plan to charge 24-year-old Brian Correa.

"It was apparent to us that he was defending himself," said police spokesman Sgt. Gabe Trevino, who added that the shooter had a license to carry a concealed weapon.

Correa shot the 24-year-old driver three times with a handgun, a police report said. The Bexar County medical examiner's office identified the deceased driver as Tomas Garza.

Correa and several witnesses quoted in the report said that Garza had maneuvered his Mitsubishi Lancer behind Correa's Chevrolet Camaro around 1 a.m. Tuesday and began driving aggressively, trying to hit the Camaro. When the cars came to a stop at a traffic light, Garza got out and hit the Camaro several times with the bat, according to the police report. Correa told Garza to stop, but Garza began toward him so Correa fired at him, according to the report.

Witnesses corroborated Correa's account with police."I'm still really shaken up. I don't really want to talk about it at all," Correa told a reporter with the San Antonio Express-News when contacted at his home.

January 1st

2008-01-06T20:51:00.000-08:00

(Mississippi) Teen kills intruder in county's 1st homicide of the year

A teen shot and killed a home intruder Sunday night, stopping a theft in progress and sending the intruder's accomplices scurrying, said Sheriff Martin Pace.

Found dead in front of a mobile home in South Warren County was Jonathan Bruce, 21, 3341 Sunnybrook Drive in Jackson, said Coroner Doug Huskey. Bruce had been shot once with a .410 shotgun and had stumbled out of the mobile home, Pace said. The teen, who was not identified, was not arrested or charged.

Pace said details of the investigation will be presented to the district attorney, but it appeared the shooting -- Warren County's first homicide of the year -- will be deemed justifiable. Pace said the adults who lived in the home where Bruce was shot made a living as street vendors.

He said Bruce and two other men had forced their way into the mobile home at 25 Red Oak Drive about 7 p.m. after inquiring about purchasing shoes. The teen and several other juveniles were alone when the trio entered. Pace said after the men got inside, they started "loading up merchandise" until the teen got a shotgun and fired it at Bruce, who had a handgun in his pocket. After being shot, Bruce turned and walked out onto the lawn, where he was found when deputies arrived. The other men fled in a sedan.

Pace said Warren County officers were working with counterparts in the Jackson Police Department to identify Bruce's companions, said to have been in a white sedan without a tag.

The City of Vicksburg recorded 10 homicides in 2007. Until the next-to-the-last night of the year, Warren County outside Vicksburg had recorded none.

December 28th

2007-12-30T21:30:00.000-08:00

(Missouri) Pizza deliveryman who shot robber had gun permit

A Domino’s pizza deliveryman who shot and killed a would-be robber in Pagedale has a valid permit to carry a weapon and appears to have acted in self-defense, according to St. Louis County police.

The driver, who works for the Domino’s franchise nearby in University City, delivered an order at 7 p.m. Thursday to a phony address in the 6500 block of Julian Avenue, where two armed men announced a robbery. The driver pulled his own pistol and fired shots, striking one of the robbers.

Brian Smith, 19, of the 600 block of Ferguson Avenue in Ferguson, was pronounced dead at the scene, said officer Tracy Panus, the department spokeswoman. The other gunman fled. Police arrested a suspect this afternoon and booked him pending application of warrants, she said.

Panus said the driver may have been fired upon, but was not wounded. She said officers found a pistol at the scene that hadn’t been fired.The driver surrendered his own weapon and showed officers a concealed-carry permit from Florida. Panus said officers verified the permit this afternoon.

Panus said Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch’s office will review the police reports but added, "It doesn’t appear to us that (the driver) did anything wrong."

December 27th

2007-12-30T21:28:00.000-08:00

(Alabama) Tallassee home invasion turns deadly

A man apparently was fatally wounded by shots from his own firearm when it was taken away from him during a Christmas morning home invasion in Tallassee, authorities said.

Investigators said two men had forced their way into the residence shortly after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday while the occupants were asleep. Once inside, one of the intruders held an occupant at gunpoint, but at some point had the handgun wrestled away and several rounds were fired at him.

Both suspects fled the scene, and Tallapoosa County sheriff's officers said Lee Antion Donaldson, 29, of Montgomery was admitted to Baptist South in Montgomery at 5 a.m. Wednesday with gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead a short time later.

Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett told The Alexander City Outlook his department is working with the Montgomery Police Department to determine if Donaldson was at the scene of the Tallassee home invasion.

The sheriff said Thursday that Donaldson's possible connection to the home invasion was still under investigation.

December 24th

2007-12-30T21:21:00.000-08:00

(Connecticut) EW man fires shot to scare off burglar, both arrested

Two men were arrested on numerous charges Saturday, police said, after a homeowner fired his shotgun out his window to drive away a would-be burglar.

Alan Pelletier, 45, of 95A Main St. in the Broad Brook section was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, unlawful discharge of firearms, and second-degree breach of peace by threat, police said.

Delroy A. Martin, 24, of 794 South St. Suffield, was charged with second-degree assault, criminal mischief, breach of peace, and criminal attempt to commit burglary, police said.

Officers responded to a call about 8:15 p.m. Saturday, police said. "It appears Martin was attempting to break into 93 Main St. when shots were fired," Capt. Roger T. Hart said. "It appears Pelletier shot a 12-gauge shotgun out the rear window of 95A Main St., presumably in an attempt to scare away the suspect," according to Hart.

No one was injured from the shooting, police said. "When we arrived several people were holding a black male down," Hart said. That man, Martin, was "attempting to break into a residence, using a garden tool to break down the door," according to Hart. Martin appeared to have been intoxicated, and damaged multiple unit doors, Hart said.

Martin was held in lieu of $100,000 bond and was scheduled to appear at Enfield Superior Court today.

Pelletier was released on $10,000 nonsurety bond and is to appear on Jan. 22 at Enfield Superior Court, Hart said.

I find this outrageous! If the story happened as it is written then this guy should get a medal not prison time.

December 26th

2007-12-30T21:11:00.000-08:00

(California) Man Shoots Another in Self Defense

No charges will be filed against a man who shot and killed another man in southeast Fresno on Christmas. Police say it was self defense.

Investigators say a 26-year old man showed up at his ex-girlfriend's home on east Belgravia, around 4 a.m. to demand to see their baby. Police say he hit the woman, pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot her. The woman's cousin was in the home and shot the ex-boyfriend. Police say he saved both mother and baby.

Police say the suspect had just been released from prison was deported to Mexico, but returned to the U.S.

December 25th

2007-12-30T20:29:00.000-08:00

(Pennsylvania) Ingram convenience store clerk shoots would-be robber

A convenience store clerk in Ingram shot and seriously wounded a knife-carrying robber this morning. Ingram police Chief John Doherty said the clerk may have fired at the would-be thief inside and then outside the 7-Eleven store at 10 W. Prospect Ave. "He shot the robber several times. I'm not sure how many," Chief Doherty said this afternoon in a telephone interview. But the gunfire began in the store about 4:30 a.m. and then apparently continued outside, Chief Doherty said.

He declined to identify either the clerk or the robber. Chief Doherty said the would-be thief is 20 years old and the clerk is in his mid-20s.

Emergency crews transported the robber to Allegheny General Hospital, where he underwent surgery, Chief Doherty said. He said the clerk may have had a less serious injury."I believe the clerk was cut," Chief Doherty said.

Chief Doherty said the preliminary investigation showed that the clerk had a permit to carry a firearm. He said he knew this particular clerk because he had been robbed previously and Ingram police investigated the case.

Allegheny County police will be the lead agency in the case and file any charges, Chief Doherty said.

December 17th - 23rd

2007-12-23T20:44:00.000-08:00

Part of the purpose of me keeping this blog is to make people aware that defensive gun uses happen frequently. While reading these stories I hope you keep in mind that there are many, many other stories that haven't made it to me or that I just haven't deemed "interesting" enough to take the time to put on here.

I have compiled a short list of some more stories. These are just a few of the many stories that you all don't even hear about. Also, keep in mind that these are just some of the DEFENSIVE GUN USES, which means that hundreds of people are attacked every week whom are not able to defend themselves.

Keep an eye out and be prepared!

-David

December 22nd
Conroe, Texas
A disagreement between two men in a local bartransitioned to angry text messages after the bar closed, then escalated to a physical confrontation that resulted in gunfire at an apartment. The attacker was killed.

December 21st
Coachella, California
A convenience store robbery-gone-wrong ended with one suspect dead. After being confronted by two armed robbers a clerk of the store grabbed his own gun and killed one of the attackers.

December 21st
Tulsa, Oklahoma
A man was shot in the leg Thursday after exchanging gunfire with someone who apparently was trying to rob his brother. The attacker fled unhurt.

December 20th
Greensboro, North Carolina
A man entered and attempted to hold up a store. The clerk got his own gun and tried to shoot the thief. His gun malfunctioned, and the attacker fled.

December 19th
Niceville Florida
A man was attacked in his home by two intruders. After a struggle he was able to get his pistol from a shelf and shoot twice. One of the shots wounded one of the intruders. Both fled.

December 18th
Burton, Michigan
An armed security guard on patrol at Kings Lane apartments shot and critically wounded a man who allegedly attempted to carjack the guard's personal car.

December 17th
Newbury, New Hampshire
Husband and wife get into an argument and the wife shoots at the husband. The husband gets his own gun and shoots and kills his wife.

December 17th
Phoenix, Arizona
A man turned the tables on a gunman Saturday by wrestling a rifle from him, turning it around and firing.

December 19th

2007-12-23T20:12:00.000-08:00

(Florida) Black driver shot 2 whites in self-defense

With one wielding a knife, two men pounded on Hygens Labidou's roofing truck and shouted racial epithets, authorities said. ''N-----, get out of the truck!'' they allegedly snarled, according to a copy of a 911 tape released Tuesday. One of the men, six feet tall and 350 pounds, tried to pull Labidou from the truck.

Moments later, Labidou, fearing for his life, pulled out his 9mm semiautomatic gun and fired, wounding the two Cooper City men -- one fatally -- in the middle of a busy Deerfield Beach intersection.

Labidou, 49, of Wellington, will not be charged because he acted in self-defense, the Broward Sheriff's Office said. ''These two men approached him with a deadly weapon in an aggressive manner,'' BSO spokesman Mike Jachles said. ``Clearly, he was inside his vehicle, and he was clearly within his right to defend himself.''Edward Borowsky, 28, died Monday, four days after the shooting. The other man, Steven V. Lonzisero, 43, is under arrest, charged with murder during the commission of a crime. Even though he didn't pull the trigger, under Florida law, a person can be charged with murder if someone dies while the accused is committing a felony. Lonzisero also will be charged with a hate crime, the BSO said.

Labidou has a concealed weapons permit, officials said.

The 911 tape reveals a hysterical Labidou, screaming to the dispatcher that he had been attacked. ''I shot them! I shot them!'' he yelled during the call, made just after 1 p.m. Thursday.

Labidou apologized to the dispatcher for shouting and then answered her questions.``Both of them down, both of them are down . . . I knocked 'em both. I'm sorry, ma'am. I was trying to defend myself.'' ''They said, n-----, get out of the truck. Both of them,'' Labidou said.

Asked by the dispatcher what he did, he replied: ``I shot 'em! I wanted to defend myself. ''The BSO is considering the case a hate crime because the attackers, who were white, shouted racial epithets at Labidou, who is black.

The BSO originally charged Lonzisero with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a felony. But just as Lonzisero was set to be released on bond, Borowsky died, escalating the charge to murder.

The incident happened in the middle of the afternoon as the vehicles were driving north on Powerline Road in Deerfield Beach. Lonzisero and Borowsky were in a white Ford pickup truck, along with Lonzisero's 15-year-old daughter.

Labidou, who runs a family-owned roofing company, was driving a flatbed truck.The BSO said Lonzisero and Borowsky were upset with Labidou's driving and began arguing with him. It's not clear where the vehicles were as the drivers were arguing. But the BSO said the verbal sparring turned violent when Lonzisero stopped his truck at the intersection of Green Road and Powerline in front of Labidou's flatbed truck.

Lonzisero and Borowsky, who was armed with a knife, got out of the pickup, the BSO said. Borowsky and Lonzisero pounded on Labidou's truck, yelling racial epithets at Labidou and trying to open his door, the BSO said. It's not clear whether Labidou fired from inside his vehicle, but the BSO said he fired several shots, striking both men twice.

The men fell to the pavement, and Labidou and several witnesses called 911. One caller describes the scene to the 911 dispatcher: ``Two guys on the ground. One guy with the gun. He's on the phone. I don't know what happened. I didn't see what happened, but the guy is very calm.'' The caller pauses to yell, ``Put the gun down.'' ''Stay away from him,'' the operator advises.To which the caller replies: ``I am.''

Tuesday night, the upstairs lights were on in Lonzisero's home in Flamingo Townhomes Phase V. No one answered the door outside the townhome, which had Christmas bells on the door. Neighbors, who asked that their names not be used, said Lonzisero rented the unit and lived there with his three children and their mother, while Borowsky lived downstairs.

Lonzisero was in and out of the family's lives, they said. The few that knew the two men said they were confrontational. Another said Lonzisero screamed obscenities at her one day when they were both trying to move their cars.

Labidou runs Impact Roofing in Riviera Beach, according to the company's website. It's been around since March 1999.

December 19th

2007-12-23T20:09:00.000-08:00

(Georgia) Robber Killed by Home Owner's Son

Authorities in Baldwin County are investigating an attempted home invasion and robbery today, after a man was shot and killed while trying to rob a family.

It happened at a home on Lakemere Lane in the Oaks at Willow Lake subdivision. According to Baldwin County Sheriff Bill Massee, a homeowner went outside last night around 8:30pm and was attacked by two men. The homeowner was shot in the hand and pushed inside his home; he was held at gunpoint, and his wife was held at knife point.

Another relative was able to get out of the home and alerted the homeonwner's son, his parents were being attacked and robbed. The son arrived at the home with a gun, and shot and killed 27-year old Alonzo Mosley of Milledgeville. Mosley was pronounced dead at the scene.

This remains an ongoing investigation. Sheriff Massee says he does not believe this was a random robbery.

No charges will be brought against the victim's son for shooting Mosley. The sheriff says he feels like his actions were justified and necessary, adding "he did exactly what he should have done to protect his family".

December 18th

2007-12-23T20:02:00.000-08:00

(Florida) Police: Armed intruder killed by armed resident

A man was shot to death Tuesday night outside a home on Pheasant Drive after a gun battle with a resident of the home, authorities said. Flagler County sheriff's officials are withholding the name of the slain man, who appears to be in his 20s, until family members can be notified.

Deputies were called to the home at 43 Pheasant Drive shortly before 7 p.m., Chief Deputy Rick Look said. They found what appeared to be a case of self-defense initiated after the man entered the home "uninvited," Look said.

The two residents, a man and woman whose names were not released, told investigators the man entered their home through the unlocked front door. The male resident "grabbed a gun and fired it at the intruder," Look said.

The intruder ran out the front door, turned around and fired a gun at the residents, Look said they told investigators. The male resident returned fire, Look said. Investigators aren't sure which shot was the one that killed the man, causing him to fall outside the home.

Look said they can't be certain until further investigation but investigators don't think the event was random. "We're trying to determine if there's a relationship between the victims and the suspect," Look said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement was called in to assist the Sheriff's Office and process the scene, Look said. And even though the shooting ended outside in plain view of neighboring homes, "neighbors didn't see anything," Look said. "I heard something," a woman who lives across the street from the home said. "I just thought it was firecrackers, though." The resident declined to give her name but said the experience was "pretty freaky" for her.

She moved to Palm Coast from Miami, and although there's more crime in South Florida, "it was never this close to home," she said.

Investigators are also looking into what a neighbor called a "suspicious silver Hyundai" that was parked across the street from the home for three days. "It didn't move, and now suddenly it's gone," the woman said.

December 18th

2007-12-23T19:50:00.000-08:00

(Minnesota) Police chief apologizes to family

The family involved in a botched high-risk police search of their north Minneapolis home early Sunday said today that Police Chief Tim Dolan has personally apologized to them. Dolan met with members of the Khang family earlier today, said Sia Lo, the family's attorney during a news conference held in the upstairs master bedroom that was riddled by at least two-dozen bullet holes.

Family members said the shots came from police. Lo said that Dolan told the family the wrong house was raided and that there was "a breakdown in communication," that led a SWAT team to descend on the home in the 1300 block of Logan Avenue N.On Monday, Dolan met with members of the Hmong community and family elders. His meeting today with homeowner Vang Khang, his wife, Vee Moua, and extended family was considered a positive step in the healing process, Lo said.

Police apologized, admitting that they had erred based on bad information from an informant, the alleged victim of a violent crime at the house, believed to be one of the last pieces in a long-term investigation focused on violent gang members. Police said they had no reason to believe the information was inaccurate. They had the right address on the warrant, but the house wasn't occupied by anybody they wanted.

Moua said while watching television she heard noises that ended up being a SWAT team entering the rear of the house about 12:30 a.m. Sunday. She raced upstairs to wake up her husband. Khang, thinking the intruders were burglars, fired at police through a bedroom wall he said in fear that they would harm his sons in another bedroom.

The shots hit two officers, one in the back and one in the head, but both were uninjured because they were wearing protective armor. Police shot back, but did not hit him.

Khang said he realized the intruders were the police only after his 12-year-old son told him so in Hmong."Things could've been very tragic," Khang said Tuesday. "Maybe there were spirits watching over us." Lo said the family will be staying with relatives indefinitely. " I think it will be very difficult for the children right now to come back at this time," Lo said.

December 16th

2007-12-16T21:59:00.000-08:00

(Tennessee) A Powell man coming to his grandson's rescue shot and killed a fleeing burglar

Saturday, authorities said. Tilvis Coffey, 42, of Knoxville died at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knox County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Martha Dooley said. His record shows an "extensive" criminal history, including arrests for theft, aggravated burglary and probation violation, she said.

Officers haven't filed any charges against Harry Smith, 58. Smith, who has a gun permit, shot Coffey once in the head with a revolver as Coffey ran from the house at 103 Copeland Road, Dooley said. Coffey didn't have a weapon at the time, she said.

Coffey showed up at the house just after noon while Smith's 14-year-old grandson was there alone, Dooley said. "A man came to the door he didn't know," she said. "He called his mother, who told him to hide in the closet." Coffey kicked in two doors and made his way inside, Dooley said. The boy called 911 from the closet.

Meanwhile, his mother called Smith, her father. Smith, who lives nearby, headed to the house and confronted Coffey inside, Dooley said. Coffey ran out just as the boy's grandmother stepped out of her car, Dooley said. "Smith told the man to stop or he'd shoot," Dooley said.

She said she didn't know how far away Coffey was when Smith fired. The boy and his grandmother weren't hurt, Dooley said. Their names weren't available Saturday night, and Smith couldn't be reached.

December 14th

2007-12-16T21:55:00.000-08:00

(Texas) Suspected burglar fatally shot at Harris County home

A southwest Harris County homeowner shot and killed a man he discovered climbing into a window of his house at about 2:15 a.m. today, investigators said.

Steven Dunbar, 44, died in the window of the home in the 3400 block of Cascadia, Harris County sheriff's homicide Det. Rolf Nelson said. Nelson declined to name the homeowner but said the man, 32, was asleep in the house with his wife, a son, 6, and an infant daughter when he heard a loud noise. "The homeowner says he heard a loud noise, possibly a gunshot, that startled him out of bed," Nelson said. "As he got up, he said he heard another loud noise and he said the house was shaking."

The man had retrieved a pistol he keeps and was on his way to investigate the noises when he heard glass breaking in a bedroom. "When he entered that bedroom, he said he saw a burglar coming through a broken window," Nelson said. "He shot several times and struck the burglar several times, killing him at the scene." Exactly what Dunbar was trying to do and why there was so much noise before the homeowner discovered Dunbar remains unclear, Nelson said.

Deputies found a back screen door on the back of the house torn from its hinges, which could account for the shaking feeling the homeowner said he noticed after he awoke, Nelson said. "He's got a pretty extensive criminal record of felonies over the last 13 years," Nelson said of Dunbar. "He has at least 12 arrests for felonies and a half dozen convictions. We don't know if he was intent on some other crime or if it was a burglary for something he could turn into money."

The area around the shooting scene was taped off by deputies at about 3 a.m. today and the homeowner was not available for comment. The home is in the Forest View subdivision near the intersection of FM 1093 and Addicks-Clodine.

While the investigation continued late this morning, Nelson declined to say exactly how many times Dunbar was shot and where the bullets hit him. No charges have been filed against the homeowner and the case is expected to be referred to a Harris County grand jury for review, Nelson said.

December 14th

2007-12-16T21:52:00.000-08:00

(Kentucky) Police Investigate Bizarre Shooting

Lexington Police are investigating a bizarre shooting on the city's North side of town. It happened just after 10 p.m. Thursday on Maddie Lane in the Masterson Station neighborhood.

Police said two women were inside their home, when they heard a noise downstairs and realized a man was trying to break through their window. The roommates called 911, keeping dispatchers on the phone while they warned the man to leave, but when he continued to try to pry the window open anyway, that's when police say one of the women shot him. The intruder was taken to UK hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Police are questioning the man, but so far, no charges have been filed. Investigators said the woman who shot him acted in self-defense and will not face any charges.

(GREAT STORY) December 13th

2007-12-16T21:46:00.000-08:00

(Texas) Resident wrestles gun from suspect, shoots him

A southeast Fort Worth resident escaped severe injury or death early Thursday when a gun fired at his head did not discharge, police said. He then wrestled the gun away from the suspect and shot him in the back as he attempted to flee.

Lt. Dean Sullivan, police spokesman, said the resident -- who had noticed that the man's safety was still on -- was able to wrestle the gun away from him, take off the safety and then empty the firearm toward the fleeing suspect, striking him once in the back.

Sullivan said two friends of the suspect who had been waiting by the street then retrieved their own guns from a car and returned fire at the resident. He said the resident was able to retreat into his home and was not injured. The three suspects fled before police could arrive. As officers were investigating, John Peter Smith Hospital alerted authorities that a man with a gunshot wound to the back had been dropped off at the hospital by occupants of a vehicle, who then left, Sullivan said.

The suspect, who has not been identified by police, remained under police guard at the hospital. He faces a charge of aggravated assault.

December 12th

2007-12-16T21:38:00.000-08:00

(Utah) Armed Layton homeowner captures home invader

A man who broke into a Layton home early Wednesday morning got an unexpected surprise when he got inside. The home intruder had the tables turned on him, but why he broke into the home is a mystery.

Police say around 4:30 Wednesday morning, 31-year-old Kurt Wrangler busted through the front door of a Layton home in the block of 1450 West 1150 North. He then tried kicking down the door of an eighteen-year-old girl who was sleeping in her room. With all the commotion, the girl's father woke up, grabbed his gun and confronted Wrangler, holding the man at gun point until police arrived.

“There is obviously always a danger if a gun is involved, regardless of who is yielding [it]. However, in your own home, it's perfectly legal to protect yourself,” says Sgt. Mark Chatlin of the Layton Police Department. Wrangler was booked in Davis County Jail and is facing charges of criminal mischief, trespassing, and disorderly conduct.

Luckily no one was hurt, and police say Wrangler's intentions remain unclear. Nothing was taken from the home, and police say Wrangler seemed disoriented and may suffer from some type of mental illness.

December 11th

2007-12-16T21:28:00.000-08:00

(California) Homeowner shoots at armed burglary suspect

A Bakersfield home-owner shot at an armed burglary suspect, scaring off the would-be crook Monday night. Sheriff officials say the resident has the right to protect himself with deadly use of force.

The incident happened in the area of Gosford and Lindsey Roads south of Bakersfield. The home-owner told Eyewitness News his property had been the target of crime and attempted burglaries three times in the last 18 months -- that's why he was ready with a gun.

The resident says he spotted the suspect trying to break into a front window of the house he built on the property for his son. They were both at the father's house when they heard the dog bark, and went to investigate. The home-owner then spotted an unfamiliar man in the yard. "As soon as the unfamiliar male saw the home-owner, he raised what appeared to be a handgun toward the home-owner," Sheriff's Sgt. Ed Komin told Eyewitness News. "The home-owner took one shot toward the suspect, and the suspect fled on foot."

Sgt. Komin says it appears that shot did not hit the suspect. Officers who immediately came to the scene found no blood or any other indicators where the suspect took off. The resident told Eyewitness News he saw the would-be burglar raise a gun, and he didn't want to be shot -- so he fired at the suspect. Sgt. Komin says a resident has the right to shoot an intruder to protect life. "Certainly when the home-owner was threatened by what appeared to be a gun coming up toward him, it would be appropriate and prudent -- and that's the thing to do, is to use deadly force to protect yourself. That's the appropriate and legal thing to do." Other neighbors say there have been several break-ins in the area.

At one house, jewelry and computer equipment were stolen. Another neighbor came home to find suspects inside his house.

The suspect in the Monday night incident is described as a man of unknown race, about 5'9" and 170-pounds. Anyone with information can call the Sheriff's Department at 861-3110. Sheriff officials confirm that there have been a number of burglaries and thefts. They do not know if this is the work of the same suspect.

The resident who shot at the suspect Monday night thinks the area is the target of crime because it's fairly rural. Neighbors say they have now started up a citizen patrol. What can home-owners do to protect themselves and their property? "Dogs are great, alarms are great -- lighting goes a long way and that sort of thing to protect property," says Sgt. Komin. "Now, once it crosses the line where a person is threatened -- then higher levels of force, of course, are appropriate."

December 11th

2007-12-16T21:20:00.000-08:00

(Ohio) Man arrested after home invasion

A Newark man was arrested in a home invasion shortly after midnight Saturday during which a gun was pulled on the intruder.

Josef L. Franklin, 25, last known address 551 Seneca Drive, was charged with aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony.

A man stormed into a home on the 200 block of Day Avenue at about 12:30 a.m. and confronted a couple in their bedroom, according to a Newark police report. While the intruder was throwing punches at her boyfriend, the 19-year-old female victim told police she pulled an unloaded handgun on the intruder.

The intruder then charged her and tried to wrestle the weapon away before the 23-year-old boyfriend pulled him off, the report said. The intruder, who was joined by two women, then left, threatening to come back and harm both victims, witness statements claim.

He returned about five minutes later, trying to kick down the door, which was locked. He was unsuccessful. The two victims and their infant child left their home. When they returned, the door was broken open and several electronic items and a safe were missing, the police report states.

Franklin was arrested on misdemeanor criminal damaging and felony burglary charges less than three hours after the report was filed. He is incarcerated at the Licking County Justice Center, and Licking County Municipal Court Judge David Branstool set his bond at $25,000 Monday.

December 10th

2007-12-10T05:53:00.000-08:00

(Colorado) Two Colorado Church Shootings Claim 5, Injure 7, Several Hours and Miles Apart

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A gunman shot four staff members at a missionary training center near Denver early Sunday, killing two, after being told he could not spend the night. About 12 hours later and 65 miles away in Colorado Springs, a gunman fatally shot a parishioner at a megachurch and wounded four other people before a guard killed him, police said.
One of the hospitalized victims from the second attack died Sunday night, said Amy Sufak, a spokeswoman for Penrose Community Hospital in Colorado Springs.

The police chief in Arvada, a suburb about 15 miles west of Denver where the mission workers were shot, said the shootings may be related to those in Colorado Springs but declined to elaborate. No one had been captured in the Arvada shootings, authorities said.

Early Monday, authorities were searching a home in suburban Englewood, about 15 miles south of Denver, that they said could be related to the Colorado Springs shooting case. Results of that search were not immediately known.

"Colorado Springs has identified its suspect, and we're there to see whether their suspect and ours are the same," said Arvada Deputy Police Chief Gary Creagor.
Witness descriptions differed in each incident. A handgun was used in the shootings at the Youth With a Mission center in Arvada, while a rifle was used at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, police said.

The gunman at the New Life Church was shot and killed by a church security guard after entering the church's main foyer with high-powered rifle shortly before 1 p.m. and opening fire, Colorado Springs Police Chief Richard Myers said. Four others were wounded, and one later died.

The church's 11 a.m. service had recently ended, and hundreds of people were milling about when the gunman opened fire. Nearby were parents picking up their children from the nursery.
Police arrived to find that the gunman had been killed by a member of the church's armed security staff, Myers said.

"There was a courageous staff member who probably saved many lives here today," Myers said.
Gov. Bill Ritter ordered state authorities to help investigate. The FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were assisting. Officers found several smoke-generating devices on the church campus, Myers said. Their intended purpose was not clear.
New Life was founded by the Rev. Ted Haggard, who was fired last year after a former male prostitute alleged he had a three-year cash-for-sex relationship with him. Haggard, then the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, admitted committing undisclosed "sexual immorality."

The New Life church is one of Colorado's largest with about 10,000 members. The mission training program in Arvada does have a small office on the Colorado Springs church campus.
About 7,000 people were on the Colorado Springs campus at the time of the shooting, Senior Pastor Brady Boyd said. Security at the church had been beefed up after the early morning shootings in Arvada, he said.

That shooting happened at about 12:30 a.m. at the Youth With a Mission center in Arvada, a Denver suburb, police spokeswoman Susan Medina said.

A man and a woman were killed and two men were wounded, Medina said. All four were staff members of the center, said Paul Filidis, a Colorado Springs-based spokesman with Youth With a Mission.
Arvada Police Chief Don Wick, asked whether he believed there was reason to think the shootings are related, responded, "Yes, there is reason to believe that."

Wick said the suspect spent several minutes speaking with people inside the dorm. Peter Warren, director of Youth With a Mission Denver, said the man asked whether he could spend the night. Several youths called on Tiffany Johnson, the center's director of hospitality.
"The director of hospitality was called. That's when he opened fire," Warren said. Johnson, 26, was killed.

Warren said he did not know whether any of the students or staff knew the gunman. "We don't know why" he came to the dormitory, Warren said.
Witnesses told police that the gunman was a 20-year-old white male, wearing a dark jacket and skull cap, who had a handgun and left on foot. He may have glasses or a beard.
Police with dogs searched the area through the night, and residents of nearby homes were notified by reverse 911 to be on the lookout. Medina said residents were asked to look out their windows for any tracks left in the snow during the night. About 4 inches (10 centimeters) of snow had fallen in the area in the past day.

In addition to Johnson, killed in Arvada was Philip Crouse, 24. Youth With a Mission said Johnson was from Minnesota and Crouse was from Alaska.
The missionary center identified the wounded as Dan Griebenow, 24, of South Dakota, and Charlie Blanch, 22, whose hometown was not immediately known. One of the men was in critical condition, and the other was stable, police said.

The missionary center is on the grounds of the Faith Bible Chapel. Cheril Morrison, wife of chapel pastor George Morrison, said Crouse had just hung up Christmas lights at her home and that Johnson was "an amazingly beautiful person."

Mimi Martin, who lives near the center, said she received the warning call at about 9 a.m. warning neighbors to keep their doors and windows locked.
"Why would anybody want to hurt those kids?" Martin said.
Darv Smith, director of a Youth With a Mission center in Boulder, said people ranging from their late teens to their 70s undergo a 12-week course that prepares them to be missionaries. He said the center trains about 300 people a year.

Filidis said staffers are usually former missionaries themselves and that the "mercy ministries" performed by trainees include orphanage work. He said he did not know where the group being trained in Arvada was going to be sent.

Youth With a Mission was started in 1960 and now has 1,100 locations with 16,000 full-time staff, Smith said. The Arvada center was founded in 1984.

December 7th

2007-12-09T20:11:00.000-08:00

(Georgia) Father Fights Back; Kills Robber

DECATUR, Ga. -- DeKalb County police continued Friday to look for two suspects after a man shot and killed a third attacker who tried to rob his family as they returned home from a school event.

DeKalb Police spokesman Jonathon Ware said Ronald Johnson, 36, and his family were returning to their home in south DeKalb County and getting out of their vehicle when the suspects, armed with a handgun and a shotgun, attempted to rob them shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday.

Johnson pulled his own gun and killed one of the suspects, Ware said, and the other two men fled on foot. Ware said Friday that police had not yet identified the dead man. He said the shooting "has been deemed justified," and no charges will be filed against Johnson.

Neither Johnson, nor his family - whom Ware identified as Lekeysha Mattox, 34, and two girls ages 16 and 4 - were injured in the attack.

December 5th

2007-12-09T20:05:00.000-08:00

(Pennsylvania) DA: Easton shooting self-defense

Rob Pierce Jr.'s walk through Easton's West Ward for dinner at his fiancee's mother's house Tuesday almost cost him his life.He was mugged by two men, one a self-proclaimed Crips gang member, the other wearing a hooded jacket and carrying a handgun, police said.

''It was like hell,'' Pierce, 27, of Easton said Wednesday night in a brief phone interview. While being told to be quiet and cooperate, he was dragged across the street in the darkness and told he was going to be shot. But in an instant, the hunted became the hunter.

Pierce, who carries a handgun for protection, pulled out a .357 revolver and shot Maurice Cook of Easton, who had thrust a .45 handgun into Pierce's back and the side of his head.Cook, 22, who was shot in the abdomen, was taken to St. Luke's Hospital-Fountain Hill, where he underwent surgery and was expected to survive, police said.

He and the other mugging suspect, Tyrone Wright, 22, of Newark, N.J., were charged Wednesday with robbery, aggravated assault and conspiracy. Wright told a district judge he was recently freed from a New Jersey prison, where he had been held on a drug charge.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said the good guy won in a botched armed robbery. But at a news conference Wednesday, he also cautioned against a return to the vigilante days of the Wild West. He said Pierce violated no law by protecting himself and will face no charges. ''Luckily, this time, the citizen won. I think Mr. Pierce acted responsibly.''

Morganelli said he supports laws that allow people to carry concealed weapons and hopes this latest shooting in the West Ward, the second in less than a week, sends a message to ''these young thugs'' that their victims might fight back.

December 4th

2007-12-09T19:57:00.000-08:00

(Tennessee) Shootout During North Memphis Convenience Store Robbery

Police say a man who was dropped off at the Med with a critical gunshot wound may be the same man who was shot while robbing a convenience store in North Memphis.

According to investigators, a man and woman busted into the store in the 2000 block of North Chelsea armed with guns and robbed the place. Store surveillance video obtained by Eyewitness News Everywhere shows the robbers wearing masks or bandannas to cover their faces as they point the guns at an unarmed clerk behind the counter.

The store owner says the robbers were surprised by another employee who was outside locking up a laundromat on the other side of the building. That employee happened to be carrying a gun (surprise surprise!) in his coat pocket to protect himself while working outside at night.

Police said the employee and at least one of the robbers traded gunfire. It was unclear who shot first, but investigators believe the man involved in the robbery was hit. The woman got away.

For news report and surveillance video click here.

December 3rd

2007-12-09T19:49:00.000-08:00

(Michigan) Burglar Shot In Clinton Township

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- A Clinton Township man woke up Monday to the sound of a burglar in his condo and chased him away with a gun. He thought that would be the end of it, until the man came out of nowhere and charged at him. That's when the gun fired.

According to police, the man had returned home after a 10-day hunting trip. He heard a noise and chased the burglar away with a gun. The condo owner then knocked on his neighbor's door and asked them to call police. That's when the suspect came back and charged at him. The condo owner shouted that he had a gun, police said, but the suspect tried to grab it away.

The two wrestled for the weapon and the gun discharged twice -- the first shot hitting the ground and the second struck the suspect in the leg.

Police arrived shortly afterward and took the suspect into custody. Police expect the burglar to be arraigned Tuesday.

For news clip with more info click here.

December 3rd

2007-12-09T19:46:00.000-08:00

(California) Home-invasion robbery suspect arrested

An Adelanto man has been arrested after an intruder broke into a home and narrowly escaped being shot by the homeowner Saturday.

Lawrence McGirt, 29, was arrested Saturday on suspicion of residential robbery, according to a sheriff's news release. About 1:45 a.m., deputies got a call about a robbery in the 15000 block of Barranca Way. Some of the neighbors came to realize the suspect was a relative of theirs who had earlier been to their home demanding money, officials said.

Investigators say McGirt later walked across the street and kicked down the front door of a neighbor's house. Upon hearing the ruckus, investigators said the homeowner grabbed his .38-caliber handgun and went into the hallway, where he saw McGirt getting up off the floor. As McGirt stood up, he pulled something from his waistband and pointed it at the homeowner and instructed him to get down, officials said. The man shot at the intruder four times but did not hit him, officials said. The owner ran from the house.

Investigators were able to track down McGirt at about 6 a.m. in 10900 block of Aztec Lane in Adelanto and arrested him. He was booked at the Victor Valley jail on suspicion of robbery with gang enhancements, as well as a parole-warrant hold with no bail.

December 1st

2007-12-02T21:15:00.000-08:00

(Texas) Neighbors Chase, Draw Gun on Intruders

A drunken man was arrested Friday night after going on a crime spree while riding his bike near Oso Bay.

Police said the man first held up a group of kids at a Flour Bluff apartment complex with a knife.

Then, one of the kid's relatives followed the man to a Paul Jones neighborhood and tried to chase him out of two homes. The romp ended with a gunshot.

Before then, Carol Wright was hanging Christmas lights outside when two men suddenly ran around the side of her house.Wright said a 24-year-old man "pushed me against the wall, went in the house, closed and dead-bolted the door. I heard the lock."

Police said the man who pushed his way into Wright's home was running from another man after an attempted stabbing at the Wharf Apartments. Officers said the man was drunk when he rode his bike up to a group of kids there. "They were out playing in the park," said Capt. John Houston of the Corpus Christi Police Department. "He then pulled out what they describe as looking like a machete or large knife. The guy threatened him. He swung at one of the kids, allegedly."

A couple of the kids ran into an uncle's apartment nearby. The uncle, in turn, chased the drunken man to Wright's home off of Paul Jones. The man bolted out of that home and barged into a couple's home next door.

"They ran to the front door to keep him from coming in," Houston said. "He started yelling that there was people trying to kill him and that they had guns. They called 911." The homeowner eventually got the other man out of his home. But by that time, the kids' uncle was pounding on his front door. The homeowner fired a shotgun into the air to get them both off of his property.

Police later arrested the drunken bicycle rider.

After watching the ordeal play out, Wright was not quick to get back to her Christmas decorating."I've decided," Wright said, "my lights are going up in the morning."

November 28th

2007-12-02T21:11:00.000-08:00

(Ohio) Alleged burglar hammered by bar owner

After several restless nights, Manfreda and his partner's patience was rewarded.

''Six-eighteen. That's when we heard the glass breaking at the rear door and John said: 'It's happening','' Manfreda said. Manfreda said he was amazed at how swiftly Polen made it from the broken rear door to within steps of the office.

''If I had been alone, I don't know what I would have done,'' Manfreda said.
As it was his partner pulled a gun on the intruder and yelled; ''Freeze APD,'' Manfreda said.
This immediately got Polen's attention, Manfreda said. The homeless man dropped to the ground.

Manfreda said Polen had come equipped with a crowbar, a large wrench, a hammer and a razor.
Manfreda said he was surprised when Polen, with a gun pointed at him, grabbed the crowbar and got to his feet. ''I thought he was going to run, but he didn't. He just said ''shoot me'' and start coming at us. It was like he didn't care about life.

''We had to hit him with the hammer just enough to make him drop the crowbar. We could have shot him,'' he said, ''but nobody wants to kill anybody.''

A relieved Manfreda called police. Within two minutes police arrived to take Polen off their hands.

Edwards said Polen was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.
''At this time, Kevin Polen is charged with breaking and entering and possession of criminal tools,'' Edwards said.

In spite of yelling "APD" (for Akron Police Department), this was not an officer.

November 28th

2007-12-02T21:08:00.000-08:00

(Ohio) Apartment dweller shoots burglary suspect running away

A man accused of trying to burglarize an apartment building at 11:30 Monday night in Cleveland got a bullet in the left leg. A resident shot him as he tried to run away.

Lawrence D. Cooke, 53, shot the suspect at 11:45 p.m. at East 133rd Street and Woodworth Road.Police said Daryle R. Mitchell, 41, of Soika Avenue, was treated at Huron Hospital and arrested. Mitchell is charged with aggravated burglary.

An incident report says that the suspect tried to break down a rear door. Cooke heard pounding and went outside to check on it, while his wife called 911. Cooke found the suspect and told him to "stay put." The suspect heard sirens approaching and "started reaching into his pockets and running in the field. As I got about twenty feet from him, I told him to stop reaching around. I then shot my gun near his feet to scare him, and I ended up shooting him in the leg. "Officers found a green flashlight in the field near Mitchell. The report quotes Mitchell; "I was going to buy weed at Coit and Woodworth. I didn't get any. As I cut across the field near St. Clair Avenue, I used my green flashlight to look out for skunks. Then I got shot. I didn't see who did it. I was going to catch the bus on St. Clair."

Police confiscated Cooke's .357 Magnum revolver.