Civilian Gun Self-Defense Blog

Intruder shot near Friends

A man trying to break into a home on All Hollow Street early Saturday was shot by the home's occupant, police said.

Police said the resident was sleeping about 3:30 a.m. when he heard someone trying to break through his bedroom window. The resident told police he grabbed a rifle and fired after warning the intruder, whom he knew, to leave.

The wounded man went to an area hospital for treatment. Police did not release further details of the shooting.

Store Clerk Allegedly Shoots, Kills Robber

Employee Questioned, Released By Police

A clerk in a convenience store shot and killed a man who was trying to rob him, according to police.

The shooting happened just before 10 p.m. at the Shop Rite store on Reading Road in Avondale, WLWT Eyewitness News 5 reported.

Police and paramedics found David A. Billups, 40, of Forest Park, Ohio, ... on the floor in the back of the store with a gunshot wound.

Billups was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a ski mask and black leather gloves and was armed with a handgun when he was found, police said.

The clerk who pulled the trigger reportedly called 911. He was questioned by Cincinnati police investigators and then released.

No Charges For Store Owner Who Shot Suspected Robber

Gun Turned Out To Be Toy

No charges will be filed against a storekeeper who fatally shot a man who entered the store and pointed what turned out to be a toy gun, the Hamilton County prosecutor said Thursday.

The statement that storekeeper Abdrab Ashishi gave police was consistent with what investigators found at the scene and the coroner's autopsy report on the victim, Prosecutor Michael Allen said. Allen said the May 27 shooting of David Billups (pictured), 40, of Forest Park, was in self-defense.

"Police do not believe a crime was committed, nor do I," he said.

Courier Clobbers Would-be Robber

A would-be robber pepper-sprayed a money courier, who then clobbered him with his gun and held him at gunpoint until officers arrived, police said.

The Loomis Fargo and Co. courier, Tyler Kerby, 23, "is more of a hero than anything," Logan Police Capt. Eric Collins said.

Jason C. Wiberg, 35, Hyrum, was arrested Tuesday afternoon at the Wells Fargo bank branch where the courier had been trying to deliver cash.

Another courier waiting outside in the armored car wasn't aware of the attack, police said.

Police transported Wiberg to Logan Regional Hospital, where he was treated for the wound to his head.

Kerby was treated at the scene, and was not hospitalized.

Would-Be Burglars Hit Wrong House

Two would-be burglars picked the wrong house on Monday. The owner was inside asleep, and armed.

The men broke into what they thought was an empty home on the northeast side.

"He heard them bust a window from the back. It piqued his interest and he was waiting in the bedroom," said Sergeant Pat Michalec.

He was waiting with a large handgun. When police arrived, they found the homeowner had the suspect right where he wanted him.

"They did find the homeowner holding one of the suspects inside the house at gunpoint," said Michalec.

The other ran away after the homeowner opened fire.

"It's unknown if the other suspect was hit," said Michalec.

Michael Belcher saw him.

"It may have looked like he was limping or something. He kept looking back down this way," said Belcher.

Meanwhile, police took the suspect to jail. No charges will be filed against the homeowner.

Homeowner foils break-in; 3 arrested

A homeowner interrupted a burglary at his residence on Tuesday, and State Police arrested three people.

Arrested were Michael Skavarek, 45, of Rochester, charged with first-degree burglary; and David Johnston, 49, of Gates and Jacqueline Vasquez, 32, of Rochester, who were charged with second-degree burglary. All were to be arraigned in Bergen Town Court on Tuesday night.

The burglary occurred at a home on Route 19. The homeowner returned home about 10 a.m., saw people burglarizing his home and confronted them with a legally owned pistol, troopers said. No shots were fired.

Skavarek and Johnston tried to get away in a van and the homeowner punched out a window. Troopers said Skavarek then threw gasoline from a can that was in the van at the homeowner, and Skavarek and Johnston ran away.

A trooper showed up and immediately arrested Vasquez, whom the homeowner was holding at bay. Troopers searched the area and found Skavarek in woods about three miles away. Johnston broke into a neighboring house and hid, troopers said; that homeowner offered Johnston a ride, and turned him over to State Police at the command post they had assembled.

Additional charges are pending, police said.

Store Owner's Son Protects Mom, Kills Would-Be Robber

Police say a potential holdup at a Colton convenience store Monday ended with one of the would-be robbers dead and two others wounded after the owner's son pulled out a handgun and began firing.

Lt. Robert Miller says Colton police received the call of a robbery at the store at 10:15 a.m.

Three men entered the store and one of them pointed a handgun at the store's owner and demanded she empty the cash register, said Miller.

Miller said the owner's son took quick action, pulled out a handgun from underneath the register and opened fire.

One suspect died at the scene. The second was found in the parking lot and taken to a hospital.

Miller says a third suspect also was shot. Police arrested him at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.

Intruder killed, man hurt during robbery at home

An intruder was killed and a man was injured from an exchange of gunfire during a robbery early Monday in the Rosemont area near Jackson Highway, a Sacramento County sheriff's spokesman said.

Sheriff's officials believe the motive was drug related, and the residents of the home face drug charges.

At about 3:30 a.m. a woman who lives in the 9000 block of Bramble Trail Way called 911 reporting that someone had broken into her home and that her boyfriend had been shot, Sacramento County Sheriff's Sgt. R.L. Davis said.

When sheriff's deputies arrived they found a man lying in a back bedroom of the home. The intruder and the boyfriend had exchanged gunfire.

Devin Brown, 34, was listed in fair condition at UC Davis Medical Center for a gunshot wound to the knee.

The intruder, who had no identification on him, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said they found evidence of drug activity and obtained a search warrant for the home and vehicles. They said they discovered more than a pound of powder cocaine.

Brown faces charges of possession for sale of cocaine and possession of a firearm while possessing narcotics. Clarisa Ogo, 24, also faces charges of possession for sale of cocaine.

Davis said Brown will not be charged with murder.

"He was defending himself," Davis said.

California law allows someone to use deadly force whenever a reasonable person believes an intruder poses a threat to kill.

Shooting of dog-walker called justified

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Coconino County sheriff's detectives say the shooting of 43-year-old Grant Kuenzli was a justifiable homicide. But the victim's friends say he was a peaceful man who had volunteered to take a couple of dogs from an animal shelter out for exercise and didn't deserve to die.

The encounter occurred 11 days ago near Payson, when Kuenzli was hiking through the woods on the Pine Canyon Trail with his dog, a yellow Labrador retriever named Maggie, and two other dogs, a chow and a German shepherd mix.

The dogs, which were not on leashes, ran ahead and apparently startled Harold Fish, a 57-year-old retiree from Phoenix, according to sheriff's Detective Scott Feagan.

Fish, who was carrying a 10mm semiautomatic pistol in a holster, felt threatened, Feagan said, and fired a warning shot into the ground near the dogs and then three shots at Kuenzli, all of which hit him in the chest.

"Our investigation leads us to believe this is a situation of self-defense," Feagan said. "(Fish) was under attack."

Coconino County Attorney Terry Hance filed second-degree murder charges today against a Phoenix man who claimed self-defense in the fatal shooting last month in the woods north of Payson.

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Detective Scott Feagan said last month that the evidence would show that Fish acted in self-defense.

But after reviewing the evidence, Hance decided to file second-degree murder charges. The county attorney said he could not talk about the evidence.

"The case will speak for itself," Hance said.

Druggist, robbery suspect wounded

A Hickory Hill pharmacist and a man trying to rob his business shot each other Friday evening just minutes before the business was to close for the day, police said.

Rodney Tubbs, owner of The Rx Shoppe, 3701 Riverdale, and the unidentified 20-year old robbery suspect were both in critical condition and in surgery late Friday at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis.

Police were looking for one or more men in a small silver car with Mississippi license plates that several witnesses believed had been casing the parking lot of the Germantown Plaza shopping center, which includes the pharmacy, just before the shootings.

Store clerk takes shot at would be robber

According to police, Anthonial Brock Jr., 23, was arrested in connection with an attempted aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon Friday night.

The plan included having a partner remain outside the store in a getaway car to bolt with the loot.

What the plan didn't include was a store clerk packing a gun himself and not afraid to use it.

MPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Shannon Greenhaw said Brock entered the Sadler's Food Mart location in the 1500 block of Hickory Tree Road at about 10:30 p.m.

She said he brandished a handgun and demanded money from the clerk.

"The clerk removed a handgun from under the counter and fired on the suspect -- hitting him in the chest region," she said.

Greenhaw said Brock fled the store and jumped into a 2000 Chrysler driven by Christopher Drews, 22. Together, they sped away from the location -- Brock suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body.

"A Mesquite police officer was patrolling in the area and responded to the call of the shooting over the radio," Greenhaw said. "He witnessed the Chrysler moving away from the scene at a high rate of speed.

"He made a traffic stop and made an arrest on the two subjects -- noticing that one of them had indeed been shot."

Greenhaw said Drews was taken into custody and booked into the city jail.

Brock was remotely booked into jail as he was immediately transported to Baylor Medical Center Dallas for treatment of the injury.

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No charges are being pursued at this time against the store clerk.

Carolina Beach homeowner kills intruder in self defense

Police discover the body of Charles Gokee in this yard on Charlotte Avenue in Carolina Beach. The body of a man apparently trying to defend his family who confronted the wrong man. Carolina Beach Police Detective Harry Humphries says "He got drunk, he got stupid and the man went after him."

This is how police describe the deadly case of mistaken identity. Gokee was out to find the man who was sexually harassing his daughter. He broke into a home-- the wrong home. Inside was Dana Davis. He awoke to a stranger attacking him. Davis, a former law enforcement officer went for his gun. The two men struggled for the weapon. Two shots were fired in the ceiling. Gokee then ran. Davis went outside and saw him still in his yard. Gokee charged Davis threatening to kill him. Davis fired the fatal shot. A neighbor saw Gokee's body down the street. "He was lying in the ground moving around he was still alive and police were looking around him," says Mario Proserpi. Kellie Mininno, can't believe what happened in her quiet neighborhood. "I don't know what I would have done if someone broke into my home with my family. It guess it was what he had to do in the heat of the moment." In that moment police say a man defending his home kills a man defending his family.

Gokee had a criminal record of breaking and entering. No charges have been filed again Davis.

No charges in gun death

E. Memphis resident feared for life when he shot burglar, prosecutors conclude

21-year-old East Memphis man convinced prosecutors he was in fear for his life when he fatally shot a burglar who had just stolen a compressor from a shed, officials said Wednesday.

Adam Greenberg of 171 Richbriar will not be charged criminally in the death of Daniel Randolph, 46, outside the Greenberg home just before noon Tuesday.

Greenberg, alerted by a neighbor, caught Randolph and another man loading an air compressor onto a truck bed, according to court records.

Greenberg told the men to put their hands up.

One of the men, identified as David Gonzales, 39, of West Memphis, ran.

Greenberg said he believed Randolph, who was sitting in the truck, was reaching for a weapon. He shot Randolph once in the head.

Nancy Greenberg was standing behind her son when he shot at the man in the truck, according to records.

Randolph's Ford Ranger pickup rolled across the street and hit the outside wall of a bedroom at 5655 Redding.

Police found Randolph, who was wearing an orange utility vest, slumped over in the driver's side of the vehicle. A lawnmower and other items sat in the truck bed.

Officials would not say whether any weapons were inside the truck.

Gonzales, arrested shortly after the shooting, was charged Wednesday with burglary. He admitted to police that he was present at the burglary, according to the charges.

Prosecutors were convinced by Greenberg's account that he believed he was acting in self-defense, Dist. Atty. Gen. Bill Gibbons said.

By law, lethal force is appropriate only when an individual reasonably believes he is in danger of death or bodily harm, Gibbons said.

"Based on our review . . . it appeared he had a reasonable belief he was in danger."

Gibbons cautioned, however, that a person cannot use deadly force merely to protect property.

3 Men Are Sought in Attempted Robbery

An Encino Place jewelry store owner, shot during the apparent heist, is in critical condition

Police searched for three men Tuesday who fled an Encino jewelry store after one of them shot the owner in the chest during an apparent attempted robbery.

The owner of Pascal Jewelry and Watches, whose name was not released, was in critical condition at a local hospital, police said.

The three men approached the store in the Encino Place shopping mall in the 16100 block of Ventura Boulevard about 11 a.m., said Det. Rick Swanston of the Los Angeles Police Department's West Valley Division.

One man was buzzed in by a clerk and appeared to be a customer, while the other two waited outside. As the clerk helped the man, the store owner noticed he had a gun.

A shootout ensued, but it was unclear who fired first and whether the gunman also was injured. All three men drove off in a black sport utility vehicle, heading east on Ventura Boulevard.

Swanston said the store's surveillance camera was not working at the time and that it appeared that no property had been taken.

Man arrested in break-in, shootout

Harris County sheriff's detectives Tuesday arrested a man they said claimed to be a police officer during a home invasion that led to a shootout.

Marquis Gonsalves, 21, charged with burglary with intent to commit a felony, was held without bail in the May 11 home invasion in the 12900 block of Hammermill in northeast Harris County.

Detectives said Gonsalves and another man broke into the house after identifying themselves as police. Homeowner Ronnie Jones, 31, walked out of his bedroom and was shot and injured, but he shot one of the assailants, who fled.

Gonsalves was arrested at his home in the 7900 block of Talton.

Marion County prosecutors will decide if any charges will be filed against a pizza deliveryman who killed an armed man during an apparent robbery attempt Monday night on the city's Far Eastside.

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Honeycutt said he pulled his gun and fired off all 15 rounds when, as he was about to get into his van, he turned and saw a man coming toward him.

"He said, "Hey, my guy," and as he said "Hey, my guy," he's lifting his arm up with his gun in his hand."

Honeycutt said he pulled his own 9 mm pistol and fired off all 15 rounds at the other man at close range.

The other man, Jerome Brown, 20, 9500 block of East 39th Place, was taken to Methodist Hospital where he died a short time later.

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Honeycutt said detectives had told him that "something could come out of it" because of the number of times he had shot Brown.

Honeycutt said he emptied his gun in less than 10 seconds and kept firing because he couldn't tell whether the bullets were striking Brown, who was three to five feet away. "He never ran. He never cried. He never moved. It was like I was missing him altogether."

Honeycutt said that after Brown fell, with his gun arm outstretched, Brown said, "I just wanted a pizza."

But Honeycutt said he didn't believe him, "because that's not what he wanted," he said.

The deliveryman said he later learned that Brown's gun never fired because there wasn't a round in the chamber. However, he did hear Brown's gun click two times, he said.

Honeycutt, who said he was laid off about a year ago from a transportation job with The Indianapolis Star, said he has been delivering pizza for 20 years. "I've always had a gun," he said. "I like delivering pizzas. It's a fair job, but I don't plan on dying for it. I know so many people that really got mangled up."

Honeycutt, who was delivering for the Pizza Hut store at 8932 E. 38th Street, said he had already made a $50 delivery Monday night where bystanders had badgered him. "I expected to get robbed," he said.

Then he drove to the Long Wharf Drive apartment. He said he noticed two men coming towards him as he was approaching the building but he doesn't know if either of them were Brown or associated with him.

After making his delivery, he turned around -- "to check my back one more time" -- and saw a man walking briskly toward him. He had reached his van and opened the door when he saw Brown raise his arm, he said. "Once he leveled that gun at me, it was my gun or his."

Honeycutt said he picked up Brown's gun after the shooting, because he feared Brown had an accomplice, and drove back to the store, just a couple of minutes away, where detectives later met him.

Honeycutt said he was fired from his job because he had violated the store policy against carrying a gun, which he was licensed to carry.

"It's my life. I choose which policy to follow."

Pizza deliveryman won't be charged

A pizza deliveryman who killed an armed man who was trying to rob him will not face criminal charges, the Marion County Prosecutor's office announced today.
"It's a clear case of self-defense," Deputy Prosecutor Barb Crawford said. "He did what the law allows him to do to protect himself."

Cops: Burglar shot during break-in

Police say a city man shot a knife-wielding teenage burglar Saturday night as his friend, City Councilor Matthew Straight, fought another burglar inside a Straight-owned Fitchburg apartment building.

Darren L. Bessette, of the first-floor apartment of 5 Weymouth St., fired his handgun at 17-year-old Jonathan Duval, of 108 Pond St., Leominster, after police say Duval came at Bessette with a knife.

Police say the gunshot wound to Duval's leg was not life-threatening.

Police Sgt. Glenn Fossa said Bessette was inside the three-story Weymouth Street building when he and Matthew Straight heard loud banging inside a woman's third-floor apartment.

The Straight family owns the apartment building.

"They hear a noise and they go to investigate," Fossa said.

Bessette carried a licensed 9 millimeter semi-automatic handgun as he climbed up an inside staircase with Matthew Straight.

When they arrived, they found the apartment door forcibly removed and saw two intruders in the apartment.

Matthew Straight fought one of the intruders, who police on Sunday said remains unidentified and fled the scene.

Duval, the other burglar, "brandished a sharp object" and threatened Bessette, according to police reports.

Bessette fired a shot but did not hit Duval. The police report states "Duval continued toward Bessette and was shot in the leg."

Police believe the gunshot was an act of self-defense.

Bessette "hasn't been charged with anything," Fossa said. "We don't believe at this time there's any reason to believe any kind of criminal act took place."

Man killed in Scottsdale shootout

A 27-year-old man was shot to death early Sunday in a downtown Scottsdale parking lot after he drew a gun on a group of people. Selfdefense may be a factor in the shooting, said Scottsdale police Sgt. Doug Dirren. Jose Mendoza of Phoenix was killed about 1 a.m. in the 3900 block of North Brown Avenue.

He and a friend approached four men and a woman, and Mendoza said something and gestured to the woman, Dirren said.

Mendoza then went to his car parked nearby, retrieved a 9mm handgun, and pointed the weapon at one of the men in the group — Marcus Clark, 22, of Phoenix.

A man in the group identified as Gabriel Ramos, 23, of Phoenix, fired a 9mm pistol at Mendoza as Mendoza pointed his handgun at Clark.

Clark then fired a .32-caliber pistol at Mendoza.

"They were responding to Jose pointing the gun at them," Dirren said.

Mendoza was shot several times. It is not clear whether Mendoza fired any shots. "Once the shooting occurred, everyone fled the scene," Dirren said. Police rounded everyone up and questioned them, but no arrests were made. The shooters were released pending further investigation. Dirren did not know what prompted the confrontation or what Mendoza said to the woman.

Recent burglary victim shoots neighbor in leg

Teen apparently was breaking into home

A teenager in Cross had to have his left leg amputated Wednesday after he was shot, reportedly during the burglary of a neighbor's home.

The 16-year-old, who was not identified by the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office, was charged with burglary.

He underwent surgery at Trident Medical Center.

No charges have been filed against homeowner Jerron Richburg, 27. The shooting will be reviewed by the solicitor's office.

The teenager is accused of using a file and a screwdriver to force his way into the front door of Richburg's home on Farm Hill Circle Road around noon, Maj. Ricky Driggers said.

Richburg had been burglarized before, as recently as May 2, Driggers said. Richburg told deputies someone tried to get into the residence several other times, but couldn't because the door was secured by a deadbolt.

Richburg pretended to be gone Wednesday to see if he could find out who had been breaking into his house, Driggers said. Richburg was in a bedroom when the door was forced open. He wounded the teenager with a shotgun blast.

Lauderdale man shot in chest

A Fort Lauderdale man is recovering from a gunshot wound to the chest after he foiled an attempted home invasion early Friday morning, according to police.

Police learned that the victim, James Lee Sills, exchanged shots with the men who tried to force their way into his home.

The shooting was reported at 5:09 a.m. in the neighborhood of Northwest 14th Court, according to police.

When police arrived at the home, they found Sills slumped in the doorway, bleeding from a chest wound.

Police retrieved an M-16 assault weapon at the scene.

Sills, 47, had been shot in the chest with a shotgun, police said.

''He wasn't able to give officers any information as to how many culprits were involved,'' Fort Lauderdale police spokesman Sgt. Alfred Lewers Jr. said.

Sills told police he may have shot one of the men, Lewers said.

No case, therefore no guilty verdict for storeowner

Juror Cole Lattimore carefully chose his words as he left Judge Martin McDonald’s court, having never heard the whole story about how Firas Al Kurdi shot and killed James Abdul-Shajee during an armed robbery.

“I said the case was not made, and I agreed with the judge,” Lattimore said. With that simple statement, Lattimore kept his mouth shut.

In dismissing the case, McDonald didn’t.

After agreeing to a defense motion for a directed verdict, McDonald lamented the case even reaching his circuit court. “It was troubling to me from the get-go,” McDonald said of the murder charges levied against Al Kurdi, stemming from an armed robbery of his store, the Shelby Food Mart. “I am puzzled how this case got by the grand jury.”

Al Kurdi went into work Oct. 12, 2002, and was there only a few moments before Abdul-Shajee entered the store brandishing a knife and demanding money. Abdul-Shajee grabbed Al Kurdi from behind and held the knife to his throat. Abdul-Shajee then cut Al Kurdi across the throat and made several swipes at his face, severely cutting Al Kurdi’s nose.

Another employee of the store pulled out a handgun kept behind the counter, but Abdul-Shajee quickly told him to put it down. Meanwhile, witnesses said, Al Kurdi was yelling for someone to shoot Abdul-Shajee. A struggle between the two men ensued, Al Kurdi took control of the gun, and Abdul-Shajee was shot three times. Al Kurdi then beat him with the gun and a baton-style club also found at the scene.

While this would be Abdul-Shajee’s last stick-up, it was definitely not his first.

He had 10 previous convictions, including seven armed robberies, including one of the Star of Louisville dinner boat, two wanton endangerments and a kidnapping.

Rob Bonar, the assistant commonwealth attorney, never tried to deny Abdul-Shajee went into the Shelby Food Mart to rob it. But he seriously questioned whether he deserved to die. “What this was was a factual dispute,” Bonar said after McDonald’s ruling.

Though prosecutors argued Al Kurdi went too far, and that Abdul-Shajee’s death was murder, McDonald didn’t even come close to agreeing after prosecutors Mac Shannon and Bonar finished their case. “If there is a victim in this room right now, it is Mr. Al Kurdi,” McDonald said.

Then he said it. The thing every sound-biter of local news will remember. “He was viciously assaulted by this animal and his actions were completely reasonable under the circumstances.”

Police: Homeowner's Gunfire Surprises Armed Home Invaders

Resident Opens Fire On 5-6 Men Who Tried To Break Into Home

Two people are being questioned after one person was killed and another person was injured when a homeowner opened fire on several men who attempted to invade a southwest Houston home late Wednesday night, police said.

Investigators said five to six men, two of them armed with assault rifles, tried to break into a home in the 16000 block of Blueridge near McHard around 11:45 a.m., but quickly fled the scene after two people inside the home opened fire on them.

The alleged invaders dropped their weapons and ran into a nearby field.

According to investigators, the homeowner and another man inside the home picked up the weapons, jumped in a pickup truck and went searching for the suspects. The man pulled over to the back of an open field and waited for the suspects to come out.

The resident reportedly spotted the suspects, chased them down and shot two of them.

One of the invaders died in the field and another person was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition, investigators said.Houston police questioned two suspects -- one adult and one juvenile -- tracked down by a K9 unit. One to two more suspects were never found.

Police have not charged the homeowner.

Homeowner wounded in gun battle with burglars

A northeast Harris County man was shot and wounded in a break-in at his home overnight but may have managed to wound one of his attackers before they fled, officials said.

Just before midnight, officials said two armed kicked in the door of a house on Hammermill near Tidwell. The homeowner armed himself to investigate the noise and exchanged gunfire with the men.

The homeowner, whose name has not yet been released, is being treated for a gunshot wound to the stomach.

Harris County Sheriff's Department detectives are now questioning a man who showed up at Ben Taub Hospital with a gunshot wound shortly after the shootout.

Burglar Shot At Northeast Side Business

A burglar on the northeast side picks the wrong business to mess with. He's in the hospital after being shot by the owner.

The man tried to break into an auto customizing shop off of Schertz Rd. and Interstate 35 at 11 p.m. Monday.

The burglar set off an alarm, which alerted the owner of the break-in. The owner ran to the shop from his house, and confronted the suspect as he tried to escape by jumping over a razor wire fence.

The burglar didn't surrender, and the owner shot him once in the shoulder.

The burglar was taken to a hospital. He's expected to recover.

Police say the owner has not been charged.

Homeowner Shoots Burglary Suspect In N.O. East

One suspect was shot and another is being sought after an aggravated home burglary Monday in New Orleans East.

Kendall Jackson, 19, is in serious condition after he was shot by the owner of the home in the 7500 block of Tricia Court.

Police said two armed men broke into the home of a 67-year-old man and his 65-year-old wife at about 10 p.m.

While the men ransacked the home, the homeowner retrieved his own gun and shot Jackson in the stomach.

2 men charged with home invasion

Victim held suspects at gunpoint until the police arrived

A local duo charged in connection with a home invasion in Monongalia County have posted bond.

At about 2:40 a.m. Sunday, Mon County Sheriff's Department deputies arrested 24-year-old Jonathan Brent Lowe and 22-year-old Robert James Thrasher.

Police said they apprehended the men following an attempted armed robbery along Bethel Road.

On Monday, court authorities announced Lowe and Thrasher had each posted $10,000 bond.

On the day of the incident, victims told police the suspects gained entry into their home by kicking in the residence's front door.

After Lowe and Thrasher entered the home, police reported, the men kicked open a locked bedroom door and demanded money from two victims.

The suspects, police noted, were armed with a handgun and two wooden clubs.

Another resident, who was inside the home during the reported invasion, retrieved his shotgun and held the suspects at bay until police arrived.

No one was hurt. The suspects face armed robbery charges. A preliminary hearing has not been slated.

Gunbattle Erupts At Lavaca Home

A shootout at a residence Sunday night left one person dead and one injured, police said.

The incident occurred at a residence in the 1800 block of Holt Street sometime between 9 and 9:30 p.m., authorities said. When first responders arrived at the scene, they found a man dead and a woman injured, Lavaca Police Chief Randy Dean said.

Dean did not immediately release the names of any of the people involved.

The injured woman had at least one gunshot wound to the shoulder, Dean said. She was taken by ambulance to a Fort Smith hospital.

Witnesses told police an armed man forced entry through the back of the house, which was occupied by four people, and an exchange of gunfire followed, Dean said. The man who was killed was identified as the man who broke into the residence.

A semi-automatic rifle, a shotgun and a handgun were found in the house. Spent rounds from all three weapons were found, indicating that all three weapons were fired in the gunbattle, Dean said.

Attempted Carjacking Suspect Shot To Death In Raceland

An attempted carjacking in Raceland late Sunday ended in the death of one of the alleged suspects, according to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said Elgin Bailey, 24, of Raceland, was shot to death by Kyle Orgeron, of Larose.

Orgeron called 911 at 11:29 p.m. saying he had shot a man who tried to rob him and steal his car. Orgeron said he and his girlfriend were driving back from Morgan City when they ran into a ditch. Two men helped him get his car out of the ditch and then asked for a ride.

Orgeron told deputies that his girlfriend was driving when one of the men allegedly pulled a gun and told her to stop the car. As Bailey tried to grab the car keys, Orgeron shot him in the chest and the second man ran away, Orgeron told deputies.

Detectives are trying to identify the man who fled.

No charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.

Man shoots stepfather after argument

An apparent case of self defense may still bring charges to a 20-year-old Indianapolis man who police say shot his stepfather in his west side home Thursday night.

Police cars got Anna Stacy's attention Thursday night. "I seen these lights and about 15 squads of police cars down through here." Indianapolis Police officers investigated her neighbor's family fight that escalated to gunfire.

"It makes me nervous around here, stuff going on like that in the neighborhood. I have been around here 25 years," Stacy told Eyewitness News.

Just after 11 p.m. officers responded the North Tibbs Avenue home.

That's where 20-year-old Brandon Montgomery shot his stepfather. Montgomery told police his stepfather, Phillip McKinney, assaulted his mother.

Brandon talked his mother into leaving home.

But when they returned, Brandon told officers his stepfather punched him and continued his attack.

"The son then pulled a handgun and warned McKinney not to come any closer, and he did," says IPD's Steve Stoletavich. "Then he was shot several times by Brandon."

Detectives questioned Montgomery about the shooting and then released him. They believe he shot McKinney in self defense.

2 charged in carryout heist foiled by armed store clerk

Two men were charged yesterday in the robbery of a West Toledo carryout during which one of them was shot twice by a store employee.

Detectives said they issued a warrant charging Jose J. Custodia-Mota, 22, with aggravated robbery. He was taken to Toledo Hospital after being shot once in the leg and once in the shoulder. A hospital spokesman said she had no information on a patient by that name.

His accused getaway driver, Alberto Martinez, 32, who gave Lucas County jail officials a Toledo address, was arraigned on the same charge in Toledo Municipal Court. He was being held in the jail in lieu of $50,000 bond. Police believe both suspects are from Columbus. The 23-year-old employee, Habib Howard, whose family owns the store, Howard's Carryout, 3730 Monroe St., was not hurt. Authorities said he used his handgun during the shooting, and he has a carry-concealed weapon permit that he obtained in Fulton County.

Mr. Howard's father, Herbie, said yesterday his son received the permit three days ago. He said his son was "quite shook up" about the incident.

"It's a very upsetting thing to defend your life," Herbie Howard said. He said his son declined to comment. Herbie Howard said his son had just relieved a female employee at the register, and she was stocking the cooler when the incident occurred Sunday night.

Police said the robber entered, pulled out a handgun, and demanded money. Habib Howard handed him money, and the robber took the cash and a 12-pack of beer.

When the man turned to leave, he took a couple of steps and opened the door to leave. Habib Howard pulled out his gun and said something. The robber turned and pointed his weapon at him, Detective Paul Tetuan said.

Habib Howard fired four shots, injuring the robber and breaking the glass in the front door. The man stumbled to the getaway car, and an accomplice took him to a nearby home. Another person, whom police declined to identify, took the wounded robber to the hospital, the detective said.

He said the robber dropped the money and beer as he fled. It does not appear the robber fired any shots, Detective Tetuan said.

Fulton County Sheriff Darrell Merillat said this is the first time he's heard of this situation occurring since the carry-concealed law went into effect last month. No permits have been issued yet to applicants in Lucas County, sheriff's Lt. Greg Wojciechowski said.

Homeowner shoots suspected intruder

An early morning home invasion ends violently. The homeowner shoots one of the alleged suspect.

It all started around 1:45 Saturday morning at the Woodlawn Terrace Apartments in the 4200 block of Greenwood Lane.

Shreveport police say two men broke into one of the apartments. That's when a man living there got his gun and shot one of them.

The suspect was taken to LSU Hospital with life threatening injuries. Police say the other suspect fled the scene.

No charges have been filed against the occupant, but police are still investigating the shooting.

Store owner robbed, shot; two men held in incident

Metro police arrested two men accused of robbing and shooting at a Nashville market owner Wednesday night and carjacking his sport utility vehicle.

Officer Yannick Deslauriers spotted the market owner's 2001 Chevrolet Suburban on Dickerson Pike near Trinity Lane about 12:30 a.m. yesterday, police said in a statement. He stopped the SUV and arrested the men inside.

Police charged Brandon E. Norris, 19, 2712 Dickerson Pike, and Christopher A. Jackson, 23, 916 Oneida Ave., with aggravated robbery.

At about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Lloyd Potts, 31, had just closed Potts Drive-In Market, 4226 Ashland City Highway. Police said he was about to get into his Suburban when Norris, armed with a shotgun, and Jackson approached him from behind.

Police reported that Norris put the shotgun to Potts' back and demanded money, his gold necklace and keys. Potts complied. Jackson got behind the wheel and began to drive as Norris continued to point the shotgun at Potts from the passenger seat, police said. Potts drew a handgun and fired at the robbers. Police reported that Norris fired the shotgun at Potts, who received a minor pellet wound to his chest that did not require emergency medical attention.

When Deslauriers stopped the men, Norris was wearing Potts' gold necklace and had Potts' wallet in his pocket, police reported. The shotgun was on the floor of the SUV.

Both suspects admitted to the robbery, police said.

Last night, they were being held at the Metro jail in lieu of $250,000 bond.

Police: Bar Owner Shoots, Kills Robber

Investigators Say Shooting Appears To Be Justified

A fatal shooting outside a local bar is under investigation, according to Local 4 reports.

Police say the owner of Kerry's Wild Cherry Café on East Eight Mile Road on Detroit's east side shot and killed a robber Wednesday night.

The owner and a woman were confronted outside the bar by a man in his 20s or 30s, armed with a gun, who ordered them to hand over some items, according to police.

After giving the robber his cell phone, police say the owner pulled out his own gun and shot the man and killed him.

A teenager running away from area where the shooting happened was believed to be the getaway driver, according to reports. Eastpointe police tracked down the teen. He is reportedly being held at a detention center.

Police continue their investigation into the shooting but say it appears to be justified.

Store Clerk Chases, Shoots At Robber

An attempted robbery of a Jacksonville convenience store Wednesday afternoon spilled out onto the street as the clerk pulled a gun, chasing the robber on to East 21st Street and shooting at the car as he drove away.

The clerk of the Buy Rite was not injured.

Police said they don't know if the robber was shot, but alerted area hospitals to be on the lookout for someone showing up with an unexplained gunshot wound.

Gunfire Erupts During Rice Village Store Robbery

No Reports Of Injuries

Gunfire rang out during an apparent robbery at a Rice Village jewelry store Tuesday afternoon, News2Houston reported.

The owner apparently fired one shot after two men robbed him, officials said.

Witnesses told investigators they saw two well-dressed men running from the store immediately after hearing the gunshot. They were not injured.

The robbers escaped with a multi-carat diamond ring.

"There was two guys -- they jumped and ran around the corner really fast, and then everybody in the area just kind of looked at the door, 'cause it was really loud," said Christi Capet, a witness.

KY Woman Not Charged For Killing Husband During Fight

Investigators say a Magoffin County, Kentucky man who was killed in a shooting Saturday was trying to strike his wife when she pulled the trigger.

Forty-five-year-old Mark Arnett of Salyersville was pronounced dead shortly after the shooting about 5:30 p.m. by Magoffin County Deputy Coroner Herman Dyer.

Kentucky State Police Detective Steve Bowman said in a report that his wife, Marie Arnett, shot him with a .357 caliber handgun during a fight.

Bowman says Marie Arnett hasn't been criminally charged because witnesses said she shot in self-defense.

But the case will be presented to a grand jury, which will decide whether charges should be filed.

Ex-Boyfriend Shot After Break-in

The shooting of a man who burst into an apartment in Gwinnett County early Monday appeared to be a case of self-defense, police officials said.

Investigators determined that 20-year-old Jesus Arturro Velasquez kicked in the front door of the apartment on Club Drive where his ex-girlfriend lived with her current boyfriend. Kimberly Nelson had taken out a temporary protective order against Velasquez, according to court records.

UPDATE (by Clayton): From the May 4, 2004 Gwinnett Daily Post:

LAWRENCEVILLE — A 22-year-old Duluth man will not face charges for shooting a man who kicked in the door of his apartment early Monday morning, authorities said.

After Velasquez entered the apartment, Nelson's boyfriend, Celso Villa Lobos, shot him several times. Velasquez was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center and is listed in critical condition.

The case will be forwarded to the District Attorney for a final determination as to whether charges should be filed.

Store owner prevents robbery

An entire community is on the lookout for the man who tried to rob a neighborhood store. The attempted robbery happened Sunday night at the Cahal Market in East Nashville.

Police say a man walked into the store with a sawed off shot gun and demanded money. However, the store owners stopped the robbery by firing a gun of their own.

One of the owners suffered a minor buck shot wound to his arm. Investigators still are not sure if the robber was hit because he took off through the neighborhood on foot.

Investigators found the robber's sawed off shot gun and his vest, but nothing else.

Shooting In Pitt County

Pitt County Sheriff`s deputies are investigating a Saturday morning shooting at 3808 Goldsboro Run Road near Farmville.

Authorities say a group of men tried to burglarize the homeowner when he fought back, grabbed a gun, and shot one of the would-be robbers.

Authorities have arrested Andre Lamont Wooten and Demetrice Antwuan Lyons.

The two are charged with first degree burglary, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.

A 4-year-old Hodgenville girl was in critical condition yesterday at Kosair Children's Hospital after being attacked by a dog in her back yard.

Emily Paige Stinnett was playing with her 3-year-old stepsister Monday night on a swing set near where the family's 80-pound pit bull was chained. The dog was able to pull the tie-down out of wet dirt, said LaRue County Sheriff Bobby Shoffner.

...

The girl's mother, Alicia Stinnett, was home but unaware of the attack until she went to the yard to check on the girls, the sheriff said. After unsuccessfully trying to get the dog to release her daughter's head, Alicia Stinnett went down the road to a friend's house, who returned with her and got the dog off the child, Shoffner said.

He said the friend shot the dog several times and it went to its doghouse. When Deputy Russell McCoy arrived, he fatally shot the animal.