Civilian Gun Self-Defense Blog

Man Shoots Pit Bull Attacking Teen

A man shot a pit bull in the leg Thursday evening to stop the dog from attacking a teenager.

Police said the dog tore part of the 15-year-old boy's ear and bit his arm and leg, 10TV's Kevin Landers reported.

According to police, the attack was the culmination of an argument among neighbors on Diane Place on the south side. The argument escalated into a fight involving the boy and others on the street.

A witness told detectives they heard the owner of the dog say "sic 'em" before releasing the animal to attack the boy.

"During the fight, the male released the dog and it bit one of the people they were fighting," Sgt. Thomas Nance told 10TV News. "Another man approached and shot the dog as it was attacking the 15-year-old."

The boy was taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital. His condition was not known Thursday night.

Police were still investigating the cause of the argument.

The dog was taken into custody by animal control officers.

Labels: altercation, animal, OH

LIMA - A wannabe burglar may be walking around with a lead reminder of a Friday break-in.

Lima Police believe the man who reportedly broke into a home in the 800 block of West Wayne Street early Friday morning may have been shot by the home's owner.

The incident occurred just before 4 a.m. Friday, according to Lima Police Detective Kent Miller. The home's owner was sitting in his living room, just about an hour after coming home from working third shift, when he heard a bang from the next room. He walked in and saw a man in his house by the front door. The homeowner turned around and grabbed his .22 revolver and yelled at the intruder, who then rushed at him, Miller said. He fired one shot before the would-be burglar fled.

Police believe the bullet may have struck the intruder, but found no blood or other evidence of injury at the scene.

"We think he hit him mainly because of the distance between them. He was just three or four feet away, but we didn't find any blood," Miller said.

Police have notified hospitals around the region to keep an eye out for a man seeking treatment for a gunshot wound. Miller said he believes if the man is wounded he may try to treat himself or ask friends for help.

Labels: OH, residence burglary

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Police said a man was shot when he tried to rob a northeast side gas station on Tuesday morning.

The armed robber entered the BP gas station, located at 1959 17th Ave., shortly after midnight, 10TV's Tino Ramos reported.

The man confronted the clerk, who had a gun behind the counter. The clerk shot the robber and he collapsed outside.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Clerk Opens Fire On Would-Be Robber

Two men were hospitalized on Wednesday after they were shot during a hold up at a drive-thru on the city's northeast side, 10TV News reported.

The shooting occurred at about 3:30 p.m. at Dani's Drive-Thru, located near the corner of Westerville and Agler roads.

Investigators said a man walked inside and tried to rob the clerk, but the clerk produced a gun and opened fire, wounding the man in the legs, 10TV News reported.

The man was apprehended about a block away near a home on Cleveland Avenue.

The other person wounded in the shooting may have been an innocent bystander, police said.

The injuries were not considered to be life-threatening.

No other injuries were reported.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Suspect Shot During Gas Station Robbery

Police said a man was shot during a robbery at a northeast side gas station early Thursday.

Two men went into Sam's Gas and Food, located at 1773 Fifth Ave., shortly after midnight as it was closing, 10TV's Tino Ramos reported.

Police said the men had guns and attempted to rob the store. One of the clerks grabbed a gun and shots were exchanged between the worker and the robbers. One of the suspects was shot in the back.

The victim was dropped off at The Ohio State University Medical Center East. He was transported to OSU Medical Center where he was treated and arrested in connection with the robbery, Ramos reported.

Police continued to search for the second suspect.

The employees at the gas station were not injured.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Pizza shop owner describes robbery, shooting

John Hayes wants only to sell pizzas, not shoot robbers.

But the day after his West Akron pizza parlor was held up and he shot and killed the shotgun-armed robber, Hayes remains concerned about his business, his life and the health of his six workers.

He wants the public to know why he opened fire: He didn't want to be killed, like other robbery victims around the city. He wants only to sell pizzas.

''I'm devastated,'' he said inside Your Pizza Shop, the West Exchange Street parlor he purchased two months ago. ''It's an unbelievable situation I've been put into because of some person's carelessness and thoughtlessness.

''I'm in fear of my life, my employees' lives and the lives of everybody I know.''

Hayes, 37, was behind the counter Tuesday night when 20-year-old Patrick Finney, wearing an orange ski mask, walked in and pointed a sawed-off shotgun at his head just before 8 p.m.

A customer, an older woman from the neighborhood, was seated at the counter watching the Cavaliers game while waiting for a stromboli.

''He said, 'Give me the [expletive] money. This is an [expletive] robbery,'' Hayes said.

Hayes cooperated, giving the robber a stack of $10 bills. The robber wanted more and pointed the shotgun within inches of Hayes' head, he said.

''As soon as I gave him the money, I pulled my gun out from my hip, pointed it and fired four shots,'' Hayes said.

Finney fell to the floor, then stood back up. Hayes fired three more shots from his Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistol. Finney staggered outside and collapsed across the street. The cash he sought was dropped outside.

Hayes then called 911.

''I just got robbed at my pizza shop, 1077 West Exchange Street,'' Hayes says on the recording released by Akron police.

''OK, what kind. . . .does he have a weapon?'' a dispatcher asks.

''He had a weapon, a gun. I shot him. He's across the street laying down right now,'' Hayes says.

''You shot him?'' the dispatcher replies in a startled voice.

''I shot him right in front of me while he was holding a gun on me,'' Hayes replies.

Finney was taken to Akron General Medical Center. He died within the hour. An autopsy on Wednesday showed he was shot multiple times in the torso. The death has been ruled a homicide.

Akron police are investigating the shooting, but there is no indication that Hayes, who has been questioned by investigators, acted unlawfully. It was the fourth robbery at the shop since 2007.

Police Lt. Rick Edwards said Finney had no felony convictions, but he had been arrested in 2008 and charged with marijuana drug abuse. Finney failed to appear in court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Finney's mother, Patricia, lives six blocks south of Buchtel High School on Winton Avenue, but a neighbor said that Patrick Finney had lived with his grandmother until she died a few years ago. Efforts to reach other family members for comment were unsuccessful.

An acquaintance of Finney, Kenneth Amos, 20, of Akron, was arrested after the shooting and charged with tampering with evidence. He had items that belonged to Finney, Edwards said. Police would not say whether the items were connected to the robbery.

Hayes said the neighborhood reaction to the shooting has been troubling. A woman stood outside his shop taking pictures, for no apparent reason. Others have called and hung up. Business was slow Wednesday afternoon.

His delivery drivers are concerned about retaliation. He said he carries a weapon, with a concealed carry permit and regular shooting practice, to avoid being a victim. He cited the recent case of the North Hill man shot in a carjacking as reason for his fear of being shot during a robbery.

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Labels: business robbery, concealed carry permit, OH

Would-Be Robber Ends Up As Shooting Victim

A would-be thief ended up in the hospital with a gunshot wound after a failed robbery attempt in Mt. Auburn overnight.

Police say the would-be robber, 20-year-old Anthony Walker of Corryville, approached two men at a home in the 120 block of Malvern Place and threatened them with a gun.

One of the men, who has a permit to carry a concealed weapon, reportedly shot Walker during the altercation.

Both of the intended victims then drove to the Cincinnati Police District One station and reported the incident.

Rescue crews transported Walker to University Hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to the chest. He is now facing charges of aggravated robbery.

Labels: altercation, concealed carry permit, OH

Bond Hill Apartment Resident Shoots, Kills Robber

A Bond Hill man shot and killed a robber who tried to break into his home this morning.

Police were called to the 7600 block of Glenmeadow Lane around 9:45 a.m.

Two men reportedly broke into an apartment there. The apartment owner was shot in the leg. The victim then opened fire on the suspects. One robber, 19 year old Gerald Womble of Avondale was shot and killed in the hallway outside the hallway. The second robber escaped.

One man who was waiting in the parking lot for his granddaughter told Local 12 he heard four or five shots. It's not clear whether the apartment resident pursued the robbers out of the apartment.

The resident who was shot in the leg was taken to University Hospital and he is expected to be okay.

Labels: home invasion, OH

Armed Robber Gets Shot At

Daniel Lee and Erin Beckwith were eating dinner at the Green Papaya restaurant in Oakley around 6 p.m. Saturday when suddenly police swarmed the parking lot.

"We were out celebrating a friends birthday. And didn't hear anything. Next thing we know we saw a number of cop cars and we saw the lights outside and had no idea what was going on," said Beckwith.

Little did Lee and Beckwith know, just feet away the family-owned Natural Life Nutrition Center had just been robbed.

The clerk face to face with the armed robber was the owner's son.

"He complied with the demands that were made by the gunman. He turned over the cash that belonged to the store. As the gunman turned to leave, he felt threatened once again. The gunman raised his firearm towards the employee of the store. At that point, the employee then returned fire," said Sgt. Darryl Morton with the Cincinnati Police Department.

Police say the store was robbed last year. Since then, the owner's son has been armed with a small caliber handgun. After shooting at the robber several times, the man ran out of the store.

Police arrested a suspect less than a mile away in the Rookwood Pavilion parking lot just minutes later.

Labels: business robbery, OH

SPRINGFIELD — Police are searching for a man who may have been shot while allegedly burglarizing a garage Wednesday night, Jan. 21.

A man from the 200 block of West Southern Avenue reported hearing a burglar in his garage over a baby monitor he had installed to listen for break-ins, according to a police report.

The man went outside with a handgun to investigate when the intruder lunged at him and the gun "went off," the victim told police.

The burglar shouted "I'm dead, I'm dead" before escaping on foot, according to the report.

Chief Stephen Moody of the Springfield Police Division said he could not confirm that the intruder had been wounded.

"We found evidence at the scene which led us to believe he had been hit by gunfire," the chief said.

Labels: OH, residence burglary

Police: Homeowner Strangles Intruder

Police are investigating a case involving a homeowner strangling a man to death on the city's southeast side.

Officials said Johnathan Parson, 22, died while struggling with a homeowner of a residence on East 127th Street.

Police said Parsons and another man entered the duplex at about 2 a.m. One of them had a gun. It's unclear which one, however.

The homeowner who lived in the residence with his girlfriend and young child managed to get the shotgun and fight off one of the intruders.

The homeowner said he found Parsons in a room assaulting his girlfriend.

No charges have been filed.

Labels: home invasion, OH

Intruder Killed In Apartment Shootout

One man was killed after breaking into an apartment in Colerain Township.

According to Hamilton County sheriff's deputies, two men broke into the Burgundy Court Apartments on Rocker Drive just before 11 p.m. Tuesday.

The homeowner exchanged gunfire with the two men, shooting one of them multiple times, deputies said. He was taken to University Hospital and pronounced dead a short time later.

The other man fled on foot. Deputies said they believe he was also shot and may seek medical attention.

The homeowner was not injured in the shooting.

Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to call the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department at 513-825-1500.

Labels: home invasion, OH

Man, 93, shoots alleged intruder

Police are investigating a weekend shooting of an alleged intruder by a 93-year-old homeowner.

Mark Leon Applin, 32, address unknown, was taken by helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital with life-threatening injuries from the shooting that occurred about 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, according to police reports. The hospital was unable to release information on Applin's condition Monday.

According to police reports, officers were dispatched to the 200 block of West Southern Avenue following a report of a man trying to gain entry into a home.

When police arrived, a woman was standing outside her home pointing to Applin who was lying on the sidewalk. She identified him as a man who was trying to get into her home. She said she did not know how he ended up on the sidewalk or how he was injured.

At that time, another officer observed an elderly man in the house next door holding a gun in his hand. Police secured the gun from the man who said he shot the younger man, identified as Applin, after he broke into his home.

The man told officers that Applin, whom he did not know, kept knocking on his door and he told him to leave several times. Applin then allegedly entered through an unlocked back door and walked to the front door and ripped down the curtains. The homeowner said he then retrieved a gun from a box in the living room. He warned Applin he would shoot him if he didn't leave. Applin reportedly kept walking toward the homeowner, who said he fired one shot. Applin fell on the floor, then got up and ran out the front door, ending up on the sidewalk, the man said.

No charges have been filed, pending an investigation.

Labels: home invasion, OH

Ludwig Leonard Grudisher, the Columbus man fatally shot Saturday night at a Reese Road home, had been arrested two weeks earlier for firing a gun at the same house.

Columbus police said Grudisher, 52, was hit by a shotgun blast fired by his stepson around 9:45 p.m. Saturday night. He was accused of burglarizing the stepson’s home and then trying to run him down with his truck when he was shot.

Two weeks earlier, police say Grudisher was at the house. An arrest report from Dec. 7 states Grudisher, who lived less than 150 feet from his stepson’s home, fired several shots at the home and then fled in his vehicle.

The stepson saw Grudisher fire at his home, police said. Grudisher was arrested at 6:30 p.m. that day outside Grace Baptist Church. He appeared in Columbus Recorders Court the next day and was given a $10,000 bond.

Grudisher was out on a property bond at the time of his death, court records show.

Police have not filed any charges in the Saturday case, though it will be forwarded to the district attorney’s office.

Labels: altercation, OH, residence burglary

Man Fires Shots At Intruders, Thwarts Home Robbery

A man thwarted a home robbery on Thursday morning when he fired gunshots at two armed men who had forced their way into his home.

Three adults and three children were inside the home on Azelda Avenue when the men barged in at about 2:30 a.m., 10TV's Tino Ramos reported.

Josh Fields said he was awakened when one of the men put a gun to his head.

"My life flashed before my eyes," Fields said.

Cassey Fields was also sleeping when the men broke down the home's front door, stormed inside and pointed a gun at her. Moments later, she said she heard gunshots.

"I heard two gunshots and I didn't hear Josh or my dad anymore, so I thought they got my dad," Cassey Fields said.

The gunshots were fired by her father. After hearing the men break into the home, Ken Fields grabbed his own gun and confronted the two men.

"The first one who was at the door turned around to go out and I fired a shot at him," said Ken Fields.

After being shot at, both men fled from the home. Police arrived a short time later but did not find the men, Ramos reported.

The Fields family said it was the second time in two weeks that someone has tried to break into their home.

Labels: home invasion, OH

Teen shoots burglar

A 15-year-old shot a burglar late Friday night after the burglar and two cohorts broke into the teen’s West Side home, police said Monday.

The teenager and his 14-year-old brother were home alone when three men came to the house, police said. The teens recognized two out three of the men, according to their mother, who spoke with the Star Beacon Monday.

The identities of the teens is not being disclosed because they are juveniles. The identity of their mother is not being disclosed to protect the teens.

When the boys refused to let the men in the house, one of the men took the butt of a shotgun and smashed the window out of the front door, police said.

That’s when the older boy ran upstairs to retrieve his father’s handgun, his mother said.

In the meantime, the intruders told the younger teen they would kill both of them if he didn’t open the door, the mother said.

“They held a gun to his head,” she said.

Sgt. John Koski said the 15-year-old came down the stairs and shot one of the intruders in the leg. The men then took off.

“The bullet went in the leg and out through his buttocks,” the mother said.

The teens’ parents soon returned home from the store and a relative’s house, and police were called to the scene, the mother said.

In the meantime, police received a call from Ashtabula County Medical Center that a 21-year-old city man showed up with a gunshot wound to the leg, Koski said.

“He said a kid accidentally shot him,” he said. “The wound was in the exact place the 15-year-old said he shot the intruder.”

Police arrested and charged the 21-year-old man with aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony; attempted felonious assault and having a weapon under disability, Koski said, noting the suspect is a known felon.

The suspect’s name is being withheld until his arraignment.

As of Monday afternoon, police were securing warrants for the other two suspects, Koski said.

Labels: home invasion, minor defender, OH

Homeowner Shoots Break-in Suspect in Head, Deputies Say

Taking the law into your own hands. That's what a local homeowner did when he caught a thief breaking into his storage shed. Armed with his shotgun, one shot was all it took and the burglary came to an abrupt end.

“I woke up and heard the alarm and came out at 3:30 in the morning,” Ivan Hurt said.

Hurt lives alone in rural northern Gallia County. He has a shed full of equipment he values and fiercely protects it. That's why when two men broke into the building early Friday morning, Ivan was ready.

“I saw him come, and he turned like this and he had a flashlight in one hand and something else in the other, so I shot,” Hurt said.

Mr. Hurt wasted no time, he was barely out of his house when he pulled the trigger from more than 30 yards away.

“You see this spray pattern. That’s what happens when you shoot from so far away. I didn’t want to kill anyone, and it still makes me sick that I even had to wound someone. I’ve been robbed before and that’s when I installed an alarm so I could be ready,” Hurt said.

“There are a lot of thefts because people are stealing to get their drugs,” said Gallia County Sheriff David Martin.

Martin said thefts are up nationally and that includes Gallia County. He said residents are tired of it and they're not going to take it anymore.

“The law protects you if you feel there is imminent danger to you or family members,” said Gallia County Prosecutor Jeff Adkins.

And if there's any doubt about what the man was up to, Hurt said he left an incriminating piece of evidence behind.

“This is a mask he was wearing, and you can even see the blood from where he was hit,” said Hurt.

Ronald J. Johnson was the suspect and shooting victim. He was in fair condition Friday evening at St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington. The second suspect got away. Police are still searching for him. Both men will face charges.

There was no word on whether Hurt will be charged with anything. Prosecutors will decide whether he acted negligently or in self defense.

Labels: OH, trespassing

Pet Shop Owner Shoots, Kills Robbery Suspect

Cleveland Police believe a shop owner who shot a robbery suspect Monday acted in self-defense.

Police were called to the Cleveland Aviary on Bosworth Avenue in Cleveland (see Google map below ) Monday afternoon. According to Lt. Thomas Stacho, the suspect was dead on the front step of the pet shop when the first officers arrived.

According to police, the 86-year-old shop owner, whose name police did not release, was in the back room of the shop when the robber entered. Police said there was one clerk working in the front of the shop.

"The robber set upon him, immediately put a knife to his throat and ordered him to open the cash register," Stacho said.

Police said the shop owner came out the back room with a gun and asked the robber to leave.

"He ordered the robber to leave; the robber did not; he approached him in a menacing manner and the second man fired one round striking the man in the chest killing him," Stacho said.

The shop owner's daughter, Maria Oviero, said the shop had been the target of thieves before. She said her father got a gun after a couple of failed robbery attempts. She hoped he would never have to use the gun.

"It's sad that he has to use that kind of force. It's sad, but he had to do what he had to do. I'm just glad he is OK," Oviero said.

Police did not release the name of the suspect.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Man kills would-be robber on North Side

A Columbus man was killed this evening when, witnesses told police, he tried to rob a couple in a North Side parking lot.

Thomas E. Goldsmith Jr., 27, was pronounced dead at the scene around 5 p.m. Franklin County records had addresses for him on Roche Drive and Linden Avenue on the North Side.

Witnesses told police that Goldsmith approached a couple in their car at Kenmore Square Apartments holding a gun and demanded money from the man at the steering wheel, witnesses said. Goldsmith's gun misfired and the man in the car, identified as Deandre R. Henry, began shooting his own gun.

Henry, 24, of 3490 Derrer Field Drive on the Hilltop, called 911 from his cell phone and told them he had shot someone. Witnesses said he told police, "I shot this dude because he tried to rob me. What was I supposed to do? My girlfriend's pregnant." He emptied his gun of bullets and stayed in the parking lot until police arrived, witnesses said.

Columbus assault squad Sgt. Christ Holzhauser said several guns were recovered at the scene, and that Henry is cooperating with the investigation.

Holzhauser said self-defense "is definitely a possibility.

"If it ends up being a self-defense thing, it was very smart on his part to stay on the scene," Holzhauser said.

Police were not issuing chargs pending a county grand jury investigation.

Labels: OH, street robbery

Police say Akron homeowner turns table on home invaders

An Akron homeowner turned the tables on two home invaders who broke into his house with guns, demanding money.

Police said the owner of a home on 2nd Street SW called police at 11 p.m. Thursday to say two men burst in -- armed with a shotgun and a gun -- and demanded money.

The resident and a guest scuffled with the intruders and were able to grab the guns away.

The two intruders were injured in the scuffle and were taken to local hospitals. No shots were fired. The two suspects were still in the hospital late today with injuries that were not life threatening, police said.

Kevin Chambers, and Franklin Rodgers, both 24 and from Akron, each face two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of aggravated burglary when they are released from the hospital.

The homeowner was not charged. Police are still investigating, but Lt. Rick Edwards said it appears to be a case of self-defense.

Labels: criminal's gun taken away and used against him, home invasion, OH

East Side homeowner kills break-in suspect

A man was shot in the chest and killed about 2:45 this morning by a homeowner who said the man had broken into his house.

Police said it happened in the 13400 block of St. Clair Avenue.

Lawrence Hanson, 65, said he was awakened by the sound of someone breaking into the house. When the Hanson went downstairs to investigate, he saw signs that his house was being burglarized. He went back upstairs, got dressed and grabbed his gun.

Hanson said he had no intention to shoot and kill a burglar morning. Hanson confronted the man, whose name has not been released, and ordered the intruder to stop.

The man approached Hanson. The gun went off, and the man fell to the ground, Hanson said. "I can't believe I shot somebody," he said, standing next to his garage.

Hanson was not arrested, but police seized the gun. The case is under investigation.

Labels: intruder, OH, residence burglary

On Wednesday, a West Price Hill store owner fired two shots at but did not hit an armed robber who ran off and remains at large.

Labels: business robbery, OH

SAYLER PARK - A 22-year-old Sunoco gas station clerk fired at three men as they ran out of the store after one of them allegedly took a case of beer and pulled out a gun, police said.

The incident occurred about 10:30 p.m. Sunday at the Sunoco gas station, 6340 River Rd., Cincinnati police said.

Three men came into the store and one of them took a case of Budweiser without paying and pulled out a gun, police said.

The clerk, Hanny Ashishi, 22, fired a shot as they ran out, police said this morning.

One of the suspects, Larry Clay, 19, of Delhi Township, was grazed in the head with glass and suffered non-life threatening injuries, police said. An initial police report said the man was grazed by a bullet.

Clay was charged with one count of theft, a police report shows.

Two accomplices also were charged.

Joseph Phillips, 20, and Joshua Brauer, 19, also of Delhi Township, were booked into the Hamilton County jail charged of theft and receiving stolen property, jail officials said this morning.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Man Fights Would-Be Robbers In Ambush

A Galion man agreed to meet someone in Lancaster to buy some construction equipment, but it was all a set-up to a robbery.

The prospective customer was told to meet the seller on an area of desolate land in Lancaster to buy a Bobcat -- a type of construction equipment, NBC 4's Mike Bowersock reported.

Shortly after arriving, the man was walking across the field when someone approached him from the left, cursed at him and pointed a gun at him.

"There was a verbal agreement of $7,000 cash for the Bobcat and the (customer) showed up with the cash and found out it was actually a robbery -- ambush," said Sgt. Mike Peters, of Lancaster police.

But, the customer was prepared -- and had a concealed carry permit and two guns.

He unloaded one gun on the robbers and then started with the second gun.

The robbers returned fire, and it is believed that one of them was shot.

"He was in fear for his life. He felt that he was going to be shot and killed and he actually did pull his gun and shot several times at the robber," Peters said.

No arrests have been made, but a man with a gunshot wound at The Ohio State University Medical Center is a suspect.

Central Ohio Crime Stoppers told NBC 4 that taking large amounts of cash to someone unknown is never a good idea -- and customers should never go alone.

Shots fired at Lancaster quarry

Lancaster police are looking for a man who allegedly tried to rob another man during a business transaction in a quarry Tuesday.

Nathan R. Zeger, 27, of Galion, was meeting an individual to purchase a Bobcat around 3:50 p.m. Tuesday in the quarry in the 800 block of South Ewing Street, according to a Lancaster Police report.

There are no houses or businesses next to or across from the site.

As Zeger approached a white male dressed in black, another male wearing a black ski mask approached from Zeger's left and told Zeger to get down while pointing a black handgun at him.

Zeger dropped to the ground and pulled his .38 caliber handgun and shot six times at the male in the ski mask. The man in the ski mask fired three shots at Zeger in the exchange, according to the report.

Zeger has an Ohio Concealed Carry Weapon license. Zeger was not injured in the incident. The police report did not specify whether the man in the ski mask was injured in the exchange.

Zeger fled the quarry to South Ewing Street, where he was when Lancaster Police Detective E.L. Eggleston arrived at the scene. The detective's bureau did respond and the area was canvassed, according to the report.

Zeger said he saw the suspect leave the scene in a black Nissan type vehicle with an Ohio temporary tag on the rear "at a high rate of speed" heading southbound on South Ewing, according to the report. It did not detail what became of the man Zeger was meeting to purchase the Bobcat.

The Lancaster Police Detectives are working with the Hocking County Sheriff's Office, the Logan Police Department and the Ohio Bureau of Identification and Investigation to locate the suspect, the vehicle and the firearm.

If anyone has information about the incident, they are asked to call the Lancaster Police Department at 740-687-6680.

Labels: concealed carry permit, OH, street robbery

Deli Owner Opens Fire On Would-Be Robbers

An East Price Hill delicatessen owner took matters into his own hands during an attempted robbery on Tuesday, police said.

Officers said two men walked into Don's Deli on Beech Street just before 8 p.m. and pointed a gun at the owner, demanding money.

Instead, police said, the owner pulled out his own gun and fired at least once at the men, who fled from the deli.

The men were last seen leaving the area in a tan sedan. No arrests have been made so far.

No injuries were reported.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Moving men best would-be robber

One determined store owner. Eleven bulky employees to back him up. And a nervous would-be robber pointing a gun at them.

The result?

A very bad attempt at robbery, said Raymond Palma, 37, owner of D& R Moving.

The botched robbery Wednesday morning sent the alleged robber to the hospital with two self-inflicted gunshot wounds, no money and a charge of aggravated robbery.

“This ought to be on ‘Dumbest Criminals,’ Palma said. “To come into a moving company with men who lift and haul things for a living – 12 guys, five or six bullets. You do the math.”

The robber, identified as Ahmad Parker, 21, of Roselawn, was in surgery at University Hospital Wednesday evening for gunshot wounds to the leg and arm, Cincinnati police said.

Palma said when Parker walked into the business, 465 Elberon Ave., around 9 a.m. and pointed a .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol, demanding everyone empty their pockets, Palma thought he was joking.

“Then he said it again and put the gun right to my head and that’s when I knew he’s not kidding anymore,” Palma said. “But you could just tell he was a rookie. He hesitated for a couple seconds and he didn’t know what the heck he was doing, apparently.”

The handgun’s safety was still on until Parker noticed it halfway through the robbery, Palma said.

He said he waited until Parker turned his head then grabbed the gun. Four employees joined in. During the scuffle, the gun went off several times, striking Parker twice and an employee once.

Employees held Parker down until police arrived.

The employee, William Davis, 31, Palma’s brother, was grazed in the leg and refused medical treatment, police said. Palma suffered minor cuts and scrapes.

“To be honest, I was scared the entire time,” he said. “I don’t recommend anybody doing that because when I did it, I put everybody’s life in there at risk. If it happened again, I don’t think I would handle it that way.”

Palma said it was the first time there has been an attempted robbery at his business and hopes it’s the last. He plans to install security cameras and an ATM to store his money.

“Everybody tells me I shouldn’t, but I feel bad for that young fella,” Palma said. “He’s 21 and he made the worst mistake of his life. I don’t feel angry no more.

“But I’m disappointed and upset.”

Labels: business robbery, criminal's gun taken away and used against him, OH

Man killed trying to rob home, police say

An 18-year-old man armed with a BB gun was fatally shot while trying to rob the residents of a Franklinton home yesterday afternoon, police said.

Police arrested his two alleged accomplices, one of whom was his brother, and charged them with murder for taking part in a crime that resulted in his death.

The resident who fired the fatal shot was released after questioning by police. A Franklin County grand jury will decide whether he acted in self-defense or should be indicted for a crime, police said.

Terrance W. Jackson, described by police as a college student from out of state, died at Mount Carmel West hospital at 1:51 p.m., about an hour and 40 minutes after the shooting at 641 W. Chapel St.

Police said Jackson was accompanied by his brother Cashius D. Jackson and Cashius' girlfriend, Lucretia D. Fudge, when he attempted to rob Joshua A. LeMaster's home at 12:10 p.m. LeMaster was one of four residents in the home at the time.

LeMaster shot Jackson in the chest and arm. Jackson ran across the street and collapsed on the sidewalk, where he was unresponsive when found by police, Sgt. Joan Schlabach said.

"He's protecting his family. He's protecting my home," said LeMaster's roommate, who was asleep upstairs when the shots were fired. "It's (expletive) when you can't leave your front door open."

Several neighbors said they heard three to five shots and saw two people run toward the Inn Towne Motel, four blocks north at 595 W. Broad St.

Terrance Jackson and three other people were staying in one of two rooms rented under the name Cassius R. Jackson, a manager at the motel confirmed.

Cashius Jackson, 26, faces one count of murder, and Fudge, 17, faces a delinquency count of murder. Police listed Cashius Jackson's address as 1750 Bryden Rd. and Fudge's as 1360 Phale D. Hale Dr.

LeMaster's roommate, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation, said the intruders didn't know any of the residents, and there was nothing of value in their home. Police said they did not know why the home was targeted.

LeMaster's girlfriend told police that Terrance Jackson held a gun, later identified as a BB gun, to her head. LeMaster pulled out a real gun and shot him in the living room.

An Ohio law taking effect in September will establish a presumption that people who shoot someone invading their home are acting in self-defense.

(More)

Labels: home invasion, OH

Grandpa Comes to the Rescue, Grabs Shotgun from Intruder

A community garage sale brings all sorts of guests, but at the Sutton family home, in Carrollton, one visitor was not so welcome.

Amy Sutton, 25, was in the kitchen, about to go back out into the garage to see if any customers had arrived. Just then she noticed the door knob turning. As the door to the garage swung open, Sutton came face to face with an intruder.

"The guy just came in and looked straight at me and pointed his gun at me," said Sutton.

At first Sutton thought it was a joke, but as the man approached her, she knew her life was at stake. She started screaming for help as she turned and ran for the front door. The gunman ran after her, grabbing her and slamming her up against the wall.

"I screamed," Sutton said, and the intruder said, "Don't do that. Don't do that. I'll take your kids," Sutton told Fox 8.

Sutton's two children, Nicholas, 3, and Nathan, 1, were playing in the family room.

What the gunman didn't realize was that Sutton's 72-year-old grandfather, Joe Sabol, was also in the family room, sitting in a chair, when the gunman came into the house. If the intruder had turned around, he would have seen Sabol plain as day. Instead, he kept his back to the family room.

"He didn't know I was sitting here because when he opened that door he couldn't see me. He just went straight that way," Sabol explained.

Sutton says her only thought was getting the intruder as far away from her kids as possible. She wanted to get out of the house and scream for help, in hopes that other neighbors would hear her. She figured someone would -- since everyone was outside of their homes for the community garage sale.

Sutton, however, never made it that far. After being slammed up against the wall, she took off running again, but the gunman was close behind. He grabbed the back of her shirt. She kept going.

When Sutton got to the front door, the gunman had-had enough and went to shoot her in the back. Sutton heard him cock the shotgun.

"I just closed my eyes 'cause I'm thinking if he's gonna shoot me, so be it, just as long as my kids are safe," explained Sutton.

That's when Joe sprang into action. The great grandfather sneaked in on the gunman for a surprise attack of his own. He quietly walked up behind him.

Sabol saw his opportunity when the gunman turned the barrel of the gun to the floor as he cocked it. Sabol seized the moment.

"I reached down then and I got a tight grip on the stalk of the gun and when I got a hold of (it) there was no way he was gonna get that back," said Sabol.

Sutton says she looked back and saw her grandfather wrestling with the intruder.

"All I know is I look back and my pap is tackling the guy with a gun," said Sutton.

When the struggle was over, Sabol had control of the gun. The intruder turned on his heels and ran back the way he had come in, through the garage, and off into a wooded area.

Sutton quickly called the Carroll County Sheriff's Department. Deputies came out to search the area. They found 30-year-old Jason Haught hiding in the woods. He's been charged with one count of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and kidnapping, all of them are felonies of the first degree. He also faces a charge of burglary and theft, both third degree felonies.

Carroll County Sheriff Dale Williams says Sutton is very lucky to be alive.

"I feel sure that if grandpa hadn't been there, this would've turned ugly. We could've been investigating a homicide," said Williams.

According to court records, Haught has a criminal past, including a prison term served for domestic violence in 2007, another domestic violence case in 2005, drug paraphernalia in 2004 and in 1999 a DUI -- just to name a few of the charges.

Sutton says she's always considered her grandfather a hero, but now he is in everyone eyes.

"He saved my life! If he wasn't here I would've been shot on the porch. Who knows what he (the gunman) would've done to my kids," Sutton told Fox 8.

Sabol says God must have given him strength in his time of need. Sabol is not only missing a lung, but he's had two open heart surgeries following a heart attack, and he has diabetes. He doesn't consider himself a hero. "Just gotta do what you gotta do. Yea. They're my pride and joy, all of them!"

Labels: criminal's gun taken away and used against him, home invasion, OH

Akron robbery suspect shot in chest

Akron police are investigating a home invasion in which one of two suspects was shot in the chest.

The 20-year-old resident told police he shot one of two men with a rifle Monday night as they were entering his home in the 700 block of Fultz Street in West Akron after kicking in the front door.

Police responded to a call about the incident about 10:15 p.m.

Police said the suspect who was shot is Tyler McCraney, 19, of Akron. He remains at an area hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound.

The other suspect, Aharon Pittman, 18, is in the Summit County Jail.

Police charged both suspects with aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary.

Labels: home invasion, OH

Second Akron store worker fires on robbers

For the second straight night, an Akron convenience store clerk opened fire on would-be robbers.

The latest shooting occured Wednesday night at the Delia Market where police say a clerk wounded one of the three armed robbers.

Gerald Arnold, 17, of Akron was arrested by police at Akron General Medical Center where he was being treated for a gunshot wound to the leg about 10 minutes after the robbery.

Arnold was charged as a juvenile with robbery.

Also arrested in connection with the Delia robbery is 18-year-old William Oldham of Alkron. A third suspect is being sought by Akron police detectives.

Police Lt. Rick Edwards said three men entered the Delia Market at about 8 p.m. All were armed with handguns. One robber put his weapon to the head of a clerk and demaded money.

Another clerk appeared and fired several shots. The clerk told police he believed he shot one of the suspects before the trio fled without any money.

Police received a call from hospital workers a short time later.

Edwards said police do not believe the robber was connected to Tuesday's attempted heist at a West Market Street store where a clerk fired a pistol at two would-be robbers.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Second Akron store worker fires on robbers

Employees at the Dairy Mart store, 587 W. Market St., said the masked gunmen entered the store around midnight and demanded money.

One was armed with a pistol, the other a shotgun.

One worker fled outside to call police and another hid under a counter to activate an alarm. The employee then came out from behind the counter and fired a single shot at the suspects, who then fled.

Edwards said police do not encourage clerks to draw their weapons during robberies. He said the potential exists for innocent bystanders to be killed or injured.

In most cases, he said, store clerks facing an armed robber have the legal right to defend themselves or others if they fear for their safety.

''You have a right to defend yourself, but we're not encouraging anyone to fire shots at people,'' [Police Lt. Rick Edwards] said.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Intruder shot during robbery is a juvenile

Montgomery County — A 17-year-old boy shot during a failed robbery attempt is in stable condition and facing possible arrest by Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies.

The juvenile allegedly entered an apartment at 5121 Northcutt Place in Northland Village Apartment Complex at about 3:10 p.m. Monday, May 26, in an attempt to rob the place, according to sheriff's Capt. Jeff PaPanek.

The apartment is undergoing renovation, and a construction worker living in the building was asleep inside when the boy entered. When the man awoke, the juvenile brandished a gun and a struggle ensued.

The construction worker wrestled the gun away from the juvenile and then shot him in the upper chest, PaPanek said.

The juvenile fled the scene but was later picked up by Dayton police and transported to Miami Valley Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators are waiting until the boy recovers from his injuries enough to speak before pursuing any charges, sheriff's Chief Phil Plummer said.

The man in the apartment suffered a minor cut on his hand.

Labels: criminal's gun taken away and used against him, minor offender, OH, residence burglary

Clerk shoots at robber on West Side

A gas station clerk shot at a man who robbed the Liberty station at 7 a.m. at Clark Avenue and West 52nd Street.

The suspect ran off and was last seen in the 3000 block of West 51st Street, where patrolmen found a dollar bill on the ground.

The black suspect had a brown scarf wrapped around his face. He was wearing a red shirt and blue jeans, witnesses told police.

A police dog is trying to pick up the man's trail.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Suspected Burglar Shot By Home Owner

Police Dayton said a suspected home burglar was shot overnight by the homeowner.

The burglary happened around 11 p.m. Tuesday in the 1900 block of Emerson Avenue.

Sgt. Scott Lawson said, “At this time, it looks like an aggravated burglary and that the homeowner defended his home. But it is still being investigated.”

Officers said the suspect was hit in the neck by a bullet. He was taken to a local hospital and rushed into surgery.

At this time, the name and condition of the suspected burglary has not been released.

Labels: OH, residence burglary

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.

Labels: home invasion, OH

Dad fatally shot as he tried to 'jump on' son, ex-wife told 911

A South Side man fatally shot his father Monday after the father "went to jump on" him during a fight in the family home, according to a 911 call to police.

In a weary, subdued voice, Janice Carson detailed in the tape-recorded call the moments that led up to the killing of Steven J. Carson about 3:40 p.m. inside her home at 1348 Oakwood Ave.

Steven Carson, 51, no longer lived there, Janice Carson said, but she didn't explain why he was in the house.

"My ex-husband came in and went to jump on my son, and my son has shot his father," she told the call-taker.

Steven Carson was shot once, according to police. In an inventory of items police said they took during a search of the home were a .45-caliber Ruger handgun, a shell casing and a pillowcase.

Homicide detectives have not charged the son, identified in various police and court documents as Derick W. Carson, 23. They said the younger Carson might have acted in self-defense, and the case will be presented to a grand jury.

A woman who answered the front door of the home yesterday politely declined to comment, calling the shooting a devastating family tragedy.

In 2000, Steven Carson was charged with aggravated menacing and domestic violence, according to Franklin County Municipal Court records. Arrest documents accused him of threatening to kill Janice Carson, and he ultimately was given a 180-day suspended jail sentence and placed on probation for two years.

During Monday's 911 call, the Carson home was quiet except for Janice Carson's voice. She said she thought Steven Carson was dead and that her son had dropped the gun after the shooting and was seated on the stairs.

"He's in shock," she said.

She told the call-taker that her son wasn't injured.

"He ran from his father," she said.

Later in the call, Janice Carson could be heard saying, "Here, Derick, give me the gun. Sit down."

She then told the call-taker that she was holding her son, and quiet sobbing is heard.

"It'll be all right, Derick," she said. "It'll be all right."

Moments later, police officers are heard at the door.

Labels: domestic dispute, OH

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.

Labels: OH, street robbery

Grocer killed with own gun

Lorain grocer Jose Gonzalez was fatally shot with his own gun during a struggle with the suspect in a ''botched robbery'' at Gonzalez's store last Friday, police said.

Gonzales had bought the gun to protect himself and his store following a previous holdup, according to neighbors.

Police said a man armed with a weapon that was not a gun walked into the Gonzalez Grocery at 2522 Lexington Ave. at about 10 a.m. on Jan. 25. A fight ensued between the man and Gonzalez, and Gonzalez's gun somehow got into the hands of the intruder, according to police.

Lorain police Chief Cel Rivera would not specify what weapon police believe suspect Decio Rodrigues, 24, of Lorain, brought to the store, but said it was not a gun. The chief said he does not believe Rodrigues entered the store with the intent to kill Gonzalez.

As the suspect ran from the store with cash in his hand, he was spotted by an Allied Waste worker.

Police released a composite sketch of the suspect shortly after the killing and tips started rolling in.

Lorain detectives worked around the clock with the U.S. Marshal's Violent Fugitive Task Force to capture Rodrigues. He was taken into custody Saturday night and was charged with aggravated murder.

At an arraignment Monday morning, Rodrigues appeared on live video from the Lorain County Jail. Rodrigues kept his head down for most of the proceeding, but when he did look into the camera, he had a black eye and scratches on his face.

Rivera said the injuries were from the struggle that had taken place at the grocery store when Gonzalez was fighting for his life.

Tuesday night, the community gathered with Gonzalez's family to honor his legacy and to protest violence. His son vowed to reopen the store.

Labels: defender killed, OH

Double Shooting In Miami Township Kills 1

A double shooting in Miami Township Friday night killed one person and injuried another.

The shooting happened a litte before midnight on Soldier’s Home Road west of Miamisburg.

The homeowner shot and killed an intruder who shot a woman inside the home, police said.

A woman was taken by care flight with a gunshot wound, police said.

The names have not been released of those who were involved.

Labels: home invasion, OH

Campbell cops call homicide justified

Police do not plan to charge Nicholas Galanses in the Wednesday night shooting death of Ronald G. Harrison II.

"I discussed it with Law Director Mark Kolmacic, and unless something new comes up, we're looking at it as a justifiable homicide," Detective Sgt. Gus Nicolaou said Friday.

Kolmacic said a person may defend himself if he believes he is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm. The duty to retreat does not apply if a person is in his home, he said.

"We're taking a close look" at the results of a breath test that showed Galanses had a blood alcohol level of .156. That is above the legal limit of .08 to drive a vehicle, but there is no law against drinking in one's own home, Kolmacic said.

Further, the law director said, there is nothing in the police reports to indicate his alcohol level caused any reckless behavior.

Galanses, 40, shot Harrison three times shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday in his (Galanses') garage, which is attached to his home in the 300 Block of Porter Ave.

Harrison, 19, of Bright Avenue, was hit in the stomach, the right arm between his wrist and elbow, and in the back just below his left shoulder blade, but at an angle indicating he was turning when the bullet struck, Nicolaou said.

Nicolaou said Harrison, whom Galanses said was raising a pistol at him, was shot at a distance of 5 to 10 feet, judging from where Harrison's weapon, which turned out to be a Daisy air pellet gun, was found.

Harrison, who was found lying in the street in front of 332 Porter, was wearing a nylon stocking cap over his head and face, according to the police report.

"It's definite he went to rob. He had stolen the pellet gun from a friend's house about an hour earlier," Nicolaou said of Harrison.

The Mahoning County Coroner's report on the shooting contained no new details, and said the circumstances surrounding the homicide are pending investigation. Harrison's body was sent to Cleveland to be autopsied.

The night of the shooting, Galanses told police he went to the garage door after the front door bell rang and asked, "Who's out there?"

On his way to the garage door, Galanses, who said he never answers his front door, picked up his .357 magnum revolver from his dining room hutch.

When he opened the door to the attached garage, he saw a man run into the garage from the front porch side of the driveway, raise a black handgun toward him and yell, "Give me the money ...!"

Galanses, standing halfway inside the dining room and halfway in the garage, said he feared he was going to be shot. He raised the .357 magnum and fired several shots at the intruder.

If the shooting is ruled a justifiable homicide, it will be the first in the area since October 2005, when Walter Swita used a German Luger 9 mm pistol to shoot an intruder in the head and chest in the living room of Swita's home on South Avenue.

Labels: OH, residence robbery

Burglar comes face-to-face with gun-toting homeowner

A Plain Township man, who broke into a Canton home, was cornered by an armed homeowner and then chased away, Stark County Jail records said.

Louis Perez, 50, of 4901 Middlebranch Ave. NE, was scheduled to appear in Canton Municipal Court this morning on a burglary charge, jail records said.

Canton Police said he forced open the rear door to a home in the 1300 block of 22nd Street NE early Wednesday morning and was cornered by the homeowner. The homeowner, who had a gun, chased him out of the house.

Police found him at 4:07 a.m. Wednesday in the 1600 block of 22nd Street NE, jail records said.

Stark County Court records said Perez was arrested and then released on his own recognizance later Wednesday.

Labels: home invasion, OH

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.

Labels: female, home invasion, OH

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- Springfield Police said a man was arrested Thursday and charged with breaking into a duplex on Thrasher Street for the second time in two weeks.

19-year old James Paul Russell is charged with two counts of burglary.

Police said someone who lives in the duplex saw Russell and another man leaving his home and fired a shot at them. No one was hurt.

Labels: OH, residence burglary

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield police continue to investigate a burglary that occurred on Thrasher Street Wednesday night in which a homeowner fired shots at two intruders.

A resident of a home in the 900 block of Thrasher Street said he came home at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and saw intruders moving around inside his home, according to a police report.

The man took a gun out of his truck and ran toward the house when one of the burglars ran out the front door and toward the back yard, according to the report.

Another intruder appeared in the back yard, and that's when the man said he fired two shots.

One of the burglars fell after the shots were fired, but then got up and ran. Both of the intruders jumped a fence and fled the scene, according to the report.

Springfield Police Division Captain Mike Hill said investigators "have not established" whether the intruder was shot or injured, and no arrests have been made.

Labels: OH, residence burglary

Middletown Man Found Not Guilty In Girlfriend's Death

A jury has acquitted a Middletown man accused of killing his live-in girlfriend.

Sixty-year-old Charles Frost was charged with murder in the May 11 death of 47-year-old Deborah Dockery.

Frost told a jury he and Dockery had been drinking and arguing when she came at him with a knife in their Helton Drive home.

Frost said he shot her twice in self defense, and the jury believed him and returned not guilty verdicts on all counts after nine hours of deliberation.

Further links:
Jury acquits man in fatal shooting of girlfriend

Labels: domestic dispute, OH

Home invasion suspect lands in hospital

Toledo police are investigating an attempted home invasion that ended with two people shot.

This all happened around 1:45 a.m Friday in the 100 block of Spencer near Western Ave. in south Toledo. Police tell us two men came to the back door of the house and allegedly told the man living inside -- who works as a "repo-man" -- that they wanted to talk about a tow.

The man told police they then tried to force their way inside. The homeowner was shot once in the arm. He said he fired back on the suspects, hitting one four times.

The suspects took off, and a short time later, the injured suspect was dropped off at University of Toledo Medical Center. His condition is not being released.

Labels: defender shot, home invasion, OH

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.

Labels: business burglary, OH

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.

Labels: home invasion, OH

Robber shot at Mexican market

A store clerk shot a robbery suspect inside a Mexican market on Glenway Avenue tonight, and police were hunting for a second suspect.

The incident happened about 8:45 p.m. when two suspects, wearing scarves over their faces, entered the Tienda y Carniceria. A woman behind the counter shouted for her husband, while trying to protect a 3-year-old child who was with her.

The male clerk scuffled with the robber and was struck in the face with a gun. Both apparently fired shots. One robber was wounded in the shoulder and was taken to University Hospital.

The second fled the store and was being hunted by police. Police said he was a heavy-set Hispanic male with a shaved head, wearing a black sweater, black jeans and white tennis shoes.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Man Tries To Break-In Home, Gets Shot

A Dayton homeowner shot a suspected burglar Saturday morning.

Police responded to the 4000 block of Pleasantview early Saturday morning.

Police said a man tried kicking in the back door of the home and that is when the homeowner shot him.

The burglar was taken to Miami Valley Hospital and is in critical condition

Labels: home invasion, OH, residence robbery

Store owner shoots suspect during robbery attempt

A suspect entered the Northfield Food Mart around 7:15pm Thursday evening attempting to rob the store owner.

In defense, the store owner pulled out a weapon and shot the suspect.

The injured suspect attempted to exit the store and was quickly apprehended.

Police are in early stages of their investigation.

The Food Mart crime scene has been blocked off. An area of the nearby Rite Aid parking lot has also been blocked off while police continue searching for and sorting through evidence.

There are a handful of witnesses who police are speaking with as well.

The suspect was taken to Bedford Hospital and then lifeflighted to MetroHealth Medical Center.

There is no word on his condition, however, there are reports that he may have been shot in the head.

Surveillance Video Shows Storeowner Shooting Robber

Suspect Charged With Aggravated Robbery

Surveillance video showing the struggle between a Bedford Heights store owner and an alleged robber was released on Tuesday.

Prosecutors will not charge Mushtaq Ahmed, the owner of Northfield Food Mart, for shooting a man who allegedly held him at gunpoint last week.

Police arrested 27-year-old Roddy Prophet, of Maple Heights, in connection with the robbery.

Prophet was in court Tuesday morning and was charged with aggravated robbery. His bond was set at $100,000.

Police said Prophet used a toy gun in the heist.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Market owner shoots at gunman

The owner of NM Minimart, 823 Elm St., fired at a gunman who robbed the store this morning, Cincinnati police said.

Cincinnati Police Lt. Mark Briede said a man entered the store about 11:30 a.m., implied he had a gun and robbed the store of cash.

The owner followed the man outside onto Ninth Street and fired at him.

"Officers in the area actually heard the shots,'' Briede said.

Briede said there is a school across the street from the market and lots of people were walking in the neighborhood.

"I think we are very fortunate that no one was hit that we are aware of,'' Briede said.

Police were interviewing the store owner and searching for the robbery suspect.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Ramey acquitted of murder charges

Shane Ramey was acquitted Tuesday afternoon in his capital murder trial for the shooting death of Charles Trent in March.

Ramey, 35, of Springfield, was found innocent on felony murder, attempted murder and aggravated murder charges.

He was found guilty of weapons under disability and faces up to five years in prison on that charge.

Ramey was accused of shooting Charles Trent, 68, and his grandson, Anthony Donte Trent, 29, both of 233 W. Grand Ave., on March 15.

Defense attorneys claimed Anthony Donte Trent had been threatening Ramey over a number of days and that Ramey acted in self defense.

Clark County Assistant Prosecutor Darnell Carter blasted the jury for the "stunning verdict."

"It amazes me that 12 people wouldn't value the life of (Charles Trent)," Carter said to the jury after the verdict was read.

John Paul Rion, Ramey's attorney, said the jury had been fair in its decision.

"No one was kept from testifiying, and the jury deliberated more than 13 hours," said Rion. "They took this seriously."

The verdict was the first acquittal on a murder charge in Clark County in more than eight years, said Carter.

Investigators alleged that an argument took place between Anthony Donte Trent and Ramey, and that Ramey opened fire on both men as they sat in a car on Liberty Street.

Anthony Donte Trent was shot in both arms and recovered. Charles Trent was hospitalized for his injuries and died April 25.

Clark County Common Pleas Judge Douglas Rastatter set Ramey's sentencing for 8:30 a.m. Friday.

Labels: altercation, OH

Deputies Search For Couple In Attempted Home Invasion

Deputies in Clark County are looking for a couple they said tried to force their way into a home near Donnelsville.

It happened Wednesday night in the 6500 block of West National Road.

Deputies said an occupant of the home grabbed a shotgun and a shot was fired into the porch area.

The couple fled and deputies said the occupant of the home was cut by flying glass.

He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The search for the couple continues.

Labels: home invasion, OH

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Police were searching for three armed men who broke into a house on the city's east side Monday morning.

Cynthia Davis said she had just gone into the basement of her home on Picard Road when she heard the back door being kicked in, 10TV News reported.

"I guess God sent me to the basement right at that moment, because I would have been sitting there when they kicked the door in," Davis said. "I had just been sitting on the couch there moments before."

Davis' husband, Frank Watson, yelled to her to stay downstairs and call 911, 10TV News reported.

Watson, 60, picked up his gun and started towards the men. When he saw the burglars, one of the men opened fire, police said.

"Nothing was taken," Davis said. "When they saw Frank with a pistol, he scared them off and they started to run."

Davis said she could not tell Watson had been shot at first.

"He said, 'They shot me,' and that's when I could see his T-shirt was soaked with blood," Davis said.

Watson (pictured, left) was taken to Grant Medical Center in serious condition.

Labels: home invasion, OH

Two dead, two arrested in Dayton store shooting

Airman nabs suspect minutes after shooting

Two people were shot to death and two people were arrested in a convenience store robbery Tuesday afternoon, Dayton police said. The owner of the Covault Market and Coin Laundry, 3705 Wayne Ave., was killed inside his store along with an employee, according to Maj. Michael Brown.

The robbery and shooting happened about 1:30 p.m.

Brown said two suspects were in custody.

An Air National Guard airman apprehended a masked gunman who was fleeing from the scene, according to the man's mother.

Robert Bragg, 24, who works as a military police officer at the Springfield Air National Guard base, was sitting on his porch about 1:30 p.m. when he noticed two suspicious young men walking down Coventry Road off Wayne Avenue, said Barbi Byrd, Bragg's mother.

Shortly after that, Byrd said she heard popping sounds and screaming. In the next instant, she said her son saw the same two men running down Coventry. Each was wearing a ski mask and armed with a handgun.

Bragg retrieved his 9mm pistol, pointed it the men and ordered them to stop and drop their weapons, Byrd said.

"I was freaking out. I thought one of them would shoot him," Byrd said.

One man dropped his gun and threw up his hands, as Bragg ordered, while the other took off running through a neighbor's yard.

While one of the men was on the ground, he told Bragg his name and begged to be released. The man said he only committed the robbery while under threat, Byrd said.

Byrd described her son as a vigilant and alert neighborhood advocate.

"He's our neighborhood watchdog, " she said.

Police took the second suspect into custody a short time later, Brown said.

The store did have security cameras.

Neighbors said the store had been robbed before.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Local Business Owner Assaulted Outside Home

The owner of an area nightclub was beaten and robbed early Monday morning on Columbus' north side.

Witnesses said the victim, owner of the International Ballroom and Nightclub, was targeted outside of his Sinclair Road home at about 2:30 a.m., NBC 4's David Wayne reported.

According to police, the incident was originally called in as a home invasion, but it turned out that someone was waiting outside the home of the victim.

Police said that when the victim arrived home two people were waiting. As he got out of his car, he was allegedly assaulted as the suspects demanded money.

"Two individuals were waiting in the shadows for him, as he exited his vehicle he was jumped and assaulted" Detective Art Hughes, of the Columbus Division of Police said. "A struggle ensued and the business owner was able to produce a weapon. There was a shot fired and, at this time, it appears nobody was hit."

Police have not arrested any suspects involved in the case.

Labels: OH, street robbery

Judge: Shooting outside MedCentral was self defense

Kevin Teague acted in self defense when he shot a fellow Mansfield teenager in the face, according to Richland County Juvenile Court Judge Ron Spon.

The judge on Thursday acquitted the 15-year-old Teague of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault. Spon found him guilty of carrying a concealed weapon.

The decision followed a three-day trial during which the Richland County Prosecutor's Office argued Teague shot and intended to kill Jacques Sutton outside MedCentral/ Mansfield Hospital on Feb. 18.

The judge didn't agree.

Spon said the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Teague intended to kill the victim.

"The defense ... successfully argued their case that what Kevin did was in self-defense," Spon said, claiming defense attorney Ralph Bove proved three specific points:

First, Teague was not at fault in creating the altercation between himself, the victim and four other juveniles accompanying the victim.

Spon cited testimony from witnesses saying the victim and his friends antagonized and bullied Teague for a lengthy period of time. On the day in question, one of the victim's friends got Teague to let his guard down, then punched him.

Second, Teague had a "bona fide belief of immediate danger and bodily harm requiring the use of force to escape."

Testimony and evidence indicated five juveniles pursued Teague and his acquaintance for at least one city block before getting to MedCentral. From there, security video shows five juveniles attempting to surround Teague to keep him from entering the hospital.

"The video was chilling," Spon said. "It was like watching sharks circle in for the kill. Frankly, the line (Sutton) said that they were only going to the hospital because they were hungry and wanted to use the vending machines to get something to eat was a ploy."

Third, the defense proved Teague did all he could to retreat from the altercation.

"This was a long pursuit," Spon said. "He was retreating the entire distance of at least one block."

Spon said Teague had the gun in his possession during the pursuit, but had it pointed down until the moment Sutton caught up to him outside the hospital entrance.

"The prosecution has argued that (the victim) had his hands out the entire time," Spon said. "But the video showed (the victim) had his right hand in his pocket," suggesting the victim had a weapon for which he was reaching.

"In short, Kevin was being relentlessly pursued by five people with the intent to cause bodily harm," he said. "The defense proved in that moment, his only means at hand was the use of force."
…

Spon ordered Teague, who spent 158 days detained in the Juvenile Justice Center, to be released into house arrest under the supervision of his family while a pre-sentence report is filed. Spon will sentence Teague on his concealed weapon conviction within 30 days.

Labels: assault, OH

Boy shot attacking dogs to save friend

A 12-year-old Eden Township boy was in fair condition this morning after family dogs allegedly attacked him Thursday afternoon.

The attack apparently ended when the boy’s friend ran inside for a gun to scare off the dogs, including pit bulls and mixed breeds, NBC 4 reported.

“I fired four shots in the air to warn them to get off,” a child named Michael said in an interview on NBC 4. “So I shot one and killed it and I think I wounded another.”

Children's Hospital said victim Jarred Magers was listed in fair condition as of 7:45 a.m.

Mary Ann Township fire personnel responded to the call around 2:30 p.m. at 9583 Stradley Road. An emergency medical helicopter then was called to the area of Purity and Pineview roads.

A sign on the property reads “security dogs,” NBC 4 reported.

Animal control officers arriving at the scene reportedly were met with an aggressive dog which was shot and killed, NBC 4 reported.

Labels: animal, OH

Owner foils clothing store robbery

Two women and a girl from Dayton, Ohio were arrested Wednesday after they allegedly stole clothing from a store and tried to run over the owner with a car, according to Springfield Township police.

Toya Heard, 20, Raytona Glenn, 22, and a 14-year-old girl were charged with aggravated robbery.

Around 5:10 p.m., officers arrived at Casablanca, a clothing store in the 11000 block of Hamilton Avenue, and were told two females ran from the store with a large amount of clothing. away and the three females were arrested nearby.

When the owner saw them climb into a getaway car, he told them to stop but the driver tried to run him over and struck him in the leg, police said.

The owner then fired one shot from a handgun and hit the car’s front right tire. The car was found a short distance away and the three females were arrested nearby.

Business Owner Shoots At Shoplifting Suspects, Stops Car

The owner of a Springfield Township business shot at a getaway car carrying two shoplifting suspects, enabling in their arrest.

It happened at Casablanca Hip Hop Fashions, a store located on Hamilton Avenue in the Seven Hills Shopping Center.

9News obtained exclusive surveillance video from the business showing the thefts in progress.

It shows the two women with armloads of clothes.

At first, they look like any other customers, but as they quickly run towards the front doors, they go from shopper to suspect.

"We have good people, we have bad people, you know, you can't judge people," said Abdelhak Gheddara, the store's owner.

As the owner of Casablanca, Gheddara tells 9News he wasn't just going to let the suspects take off in a waiting escape car.

He pursued them into his parking lot.

But the waiting driver, thought to be a 14-year-old girl, struck him with the car as they fled, forcing Gheddara to take action.

"She pushed me with car, she cut my leg here, I had no choice, I shot tire," Gheddara said.

One shot into the car's tire was all it took.

With their car disabled, Springfield Township police found the three suspects nearby and took them into custody.
Gheddara tells 9News that despite being angry and injured, he never thought about aiming the gun at the suspects.

That would have been something he likely, legally could have done, since his life had been at risk.

"I don't want to shoot them, I can't do it. I don't want to take life, you know? I want to stop car," Gheddara said.

The three female suspects are 22, 20 and 14 years of age.

They all are from Dayton.

Gheddara says he thinks they might be part of an organized shoplifting ring from the Dayton area.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Police: Resident Fights Back, Shoots Burglary Suspects

Police are trying to determine the events that led up to an apparent home invasion and shooting on Thursday afternoon.

According to neighbors, two armed men attempted to break into a home on Koebel Road at about 12:30 p.m. A short time later, neighbors said they heard gunshots, NBC 4 reported.

Police said the resident was home alone when the alleged break-in occurred. According to police, the victim shot both suspects, striking one of them in the leg.

The men fled the scene, but were later arrested and taken to Grant Medical Center in stable condition.

Neighbors said the incident was the second attempted break-in at the man's home in less than a year.

Police said the homeowner will not face charges because he was defending himself.

Labels: home invasion, OH

Shooting In Springfield Kills Man

Police were outside a home on the 2000 block of Portage Path in Springfield on Friday morning to investigate a shooting from Thursday night.

The man who was shot and killed has been identified as 32-year-old Michael Lewis Jr.

Witnesses told Springfield police that Lewis and the man who lives in the Portage Path home had been arguing.

Lewis started to leave the property in a car but stopped the vehicle and went back up to the homeowner and punched him in the face, police said.

Witnesses said that the 59-year-old homeowner shot Lewis once in the chest, police said.

Lewis died at the scene and the homeowner was taken into custody for questioning, police said.

Police said no charges have been filed and this case could be heard by the grand jury at the end of June.

Labels: altercation, assault, OH

Intruder Shot on Belden Avenue

One man is shot after an apparent home invasion on Belden Avenue.

Police say the intruder was shot by the home owner after trying to break in to the house.

The victim allegedly fled the scene.

There is no word on if police found the intruder or that person's condition.

Bloody fight in home involved ax and gun

A father credits his 13-year-old son with shooting an intruder with his own gun late Monday at a South Side home.

But the man who was shot, Dennis Pixley, 18, Woodcrest Avenue, told police he never had a gun.

Chief of Detectives Capt. Kenneth Centorame said about the only thing police know for certain is there was a violent struggle in the home.

He said police do think that the son of Forrest Adams, 38, 3411 Belden Ave., did fire the shot that wounded Pixley, but are waiting for the results of a gunshot residue test just to make sure.

Adams could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

About 12 hours after police responded, no one answered the door at the well-kept home, although there were several splotches of dried blood on the front porch and walk with broken pieces of a vase that also was covered in blood.

Adams told police Monday he and his son had returned to the home about 11 p.m. after an outing, and a man holding a gun came onto the front porch, demanded money and forced them inside.

He said he was able to ambush the gunman when he went into a closet to look for something. Adams grabbed for a gun, which went off while the two were struggling, police said.

Adams told police he also managed to dislodge the intruder’s bulletproof vest at some point in the struggle. Adams said the intruder fell down a flight of stairs and when he went into the kitchen, Adams grabbed the ax off a wall and the intruder grabbed a knife. Adams told officers he was stabbed in the chest, but continued swinging the ax, connecting with the intruder’s shoulder and chest, according to the police report.

The intruder grabbed a larger knife and stabbed Adams in the hand, leaving a gash, the report states.

As the two struggled over the ax, Adams said his son appeared with a pellet gun. Adams told police he was about to fall down the stairs and yelled at his son to get the intruder’s gun, which he did, firing a shot and wounding him. The pair continued struggling until the intruder ran out.

Centorame said that story differs substantially than the one Pixley gave to detectives Tuesday morning from his bed in St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Centorame said Pixley said he knows Adams and denied having a gun and a bulletproof vest.

‘‘The truth is probably somewhere in the middle,’’ Centorame said.

(More)

An ax, gun and vest, part II: Suspect lied

The suspect, Derrick Harman, is a felon paroled seven months ago.

Forrest Adams said his blood-splattered kitchen "looked like a murder scene."

He pointed to blood on the stove and floor and a bullet lodged in a kitchen drawer that wasn't discovered until Wednesday. The bullet, fired by his son, 13-year-old Galen Hobdy, tore through an intruder around 11 p.m. Monday.

Adams, 38, gave a tour of his Belden Avenue home to a Vindicator reporter and photographer, pointing to blood smears and a broken glass coffee table. Family members are helping with the cleanup. The house has a fresh lemon smell from the scouring products.

He showed the basement where the intruder's bandanna still clings to a wall. A bulletproof vest that came off during their struggle and tumble down the basement steps was taken by police.

Adams sat on the porch Wednesday afternoon to talk about the ordeal that left him with knife wounds to his left hand and upper arm. It took 32 stitches to close the gaping wounds, and surgery will be needed for his hand. The cuts came from a kitchen knife the intruder snatched after dropping his gun.

"I took the buyout from GM and was going to truck driver school, but I can't drive," Adams said, holding up his injured hand. "I had only three weeks to go. They said I've got six months to finish."

He also has cuts on his knees and shins. He managed to slice the unwanted visitor with a heavy ceremonial ax that he grabbed from the living room wall. A second decorative — but lethal — ax remains on the wall. Police took the one used to cut the intruder.

False identity

Police said the man axed by Adams and shot by Galen during the home invasion was not 18-year-old Dennis Pixley, but Derrick Harman, a violent felon paroled from prison seven months ago. Harman, 28, who listed an Eastway Drive address, remained in critical condition at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Police filed charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and two counts of felonious assault against him. He will be arraigned once released from the hospital.

Capt. Kenneth Centorame, chief of detectives, said Harman's girlfriend identified him, police compared photos and Harman himself admitted his true identity, saying he has used Pixley's name from time to time because Pixley has never been in trouble.

After seeing news reports, Pixley's mother alerted police, telling them her son's wallet was lost or stolen a year ago and she feared someone was using his identity.

Harman offered a variety of reasons for giving a false ID when confronted at the hospital, Centorame said. "He was scared, being on parole," the captain said.

Adams said his son, who lives in Akron with his mother, had been visiting for the summer but returned home until things quiet down. "He's fine, just worried about me," the father said.

Adams said he had the intruder in a headlock and moved a bit so that Galen could shoot the man. Galen fired once and then the gun jammed. The gun was Harman's, dropped during a struggle with Adams, police said.

Early on, Centorame said the case presented many inconsistencies, with Harman (then calling himself Pixley) saying he knew the homeowner on Belden and had been invited into the house. The investigation now holds up the homeowner's version of what happened, he said.

Surprised on the porch

Adams and Galen told police that a gunman wearing a bulletproof vest and a bandanna to cover his face surprised them on the porch when they arrived home around 11 p.m. Monday and forced them to open the door. The intruder screamed that he wanted all their money and threatened them with the gun.

Adams and his son were told to strip to their underwear before being marched into the dining room and ordered to lie on the floor. When Adams told the intruder he had no money, the suspect, now identified as Harman, fired one round into the floor and then yelled: "Don't [expletive] with me — I will shoot your kid!"

Harman then ordered Adams and his son upstairs and into a bedroom. While they sat on the bed, the intruder rummaged through the room, finding nothing, reports show.

In the hallway, Harman opened a closet and, while searching inside, lowered his weapon. Adams grabbed the gun and yelled for his son to go downstairs as he slammed the suspect into the wall. During the struggle, Harman fired one shot before falling down the stairs, hitting his head on the bannister and dropping the gun.

Adams said he saw the intruder run to a waiting car that left skid marks as it sped off. Police said a woman dropped Harman off at the hospital.

In October 1998, Harman pleaded guilty in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to assault and three counts of aggravated robbery. Two of three firearm specifications were dismissed in a plea agreement, records show.

Harman was sentenced to three years in prison for the firearm specification and five years for the robbery convictions. He was incarcerated from Dec. 16, 1998, to Nov. 25, 2006, and then began five years' parole.

Labels: criminal's gun taken away and used against him, intruder, OH

Akron man with concealed gun shoots at robbers

A man legally carrying a concealed handgun shot at an armed robber in Akron.

Four teenagers approached 24-year-old Raphael L. Owens at about 11:30 Wednesday night near the corner of Elmore Avenue and South Portage Path. One pointed a chrome-plated gun at Owens and demanded his cell phone. Owens gave up the phone.

The robber then asked, "what else do you have?"

Owens tried to run, but the robber grabbed his arm. Owens broke free, pulled out his own gun and fired one shot, missing the teens, who took off running.

They ran south on Elmore while Owens ran toward a pay phone. When he got to Grand Avenue at West Exchange Street, he saw the suspects up the street, at Grand and South Portage Path. Again, one teen leveled a gun at him. Again, Owens fired a shot and missed.

The suspects fled as Owens called police from the pay phone at West Exchange and Dodge Avenue.

Owens, who lives in a North Portage Path apartment, couldn't be reached this morning. No one answered the stolen cell phone.

Labels: concealed carry permit, OH, street robbery

Man Shoots Pit Bull When It Tries To Attack

A man was attacked by a pitbull on the city's east side Thursday morning before a gas station owner shot the dog.

The attack happened at East 55th Street and St. Clair Avenue.

Gas station owner Steve Daymut said he saw two pit bulls were walking unleashed near the busy intersection and one of the dogs got hit by a car.

He wanted to help the dogs, but when the uninjured dog seized a passerby, Daymut ran back to the station and grabbed his 9 mm handgun. He shot the pit bull as it started to come toward him.

The passerby was taken to an area hospital with injuries to his arm. His condition is not known.

Labels: animal, OH

Police: Victim shoots robber

The driver of a lunch wagon shot a man who was trying to rob him this afternoon at Millsdale Street at Curzon Avenue, just west of Anthony Wayne Avenue, police said.

Cincinnati Police Lt. Chris Matzen said three young men tried to rob the driver of the lunch wagon at about 12:30 p.m.

During the incident, shots reportedly were fired by one of the three men.

Matzen said the lunch wagon driver pulled out a concealed weapon and shot and hit one of the three. The wounded man was taken to University Hospital, where he went into surgery.

A search is on for the two other men.

The lunch wagon remained in the middle of the cordoned-off intersection this afternoon. Evidence cards were being placed in the street.

Labels: OH, street robbery

Student fires gun near campus

APD and UAPD seek help finding suspect after late-night altercation on Cross Street on Thursday

Two men fired shots at each other Thursday morning near campus. Andre Darnell Smith, a 30-year-old part-time University of Akron student, allegedly fired at 23-year-old Terrell Garr at Garr's apartment on Cross Street, according to police reports.

The incident occurred at approximately 1 a.m. after Smith approached Garr's apartment and knocked on the door asking for the location of a fraternity while allegedly brandishing a gun. Garr told Akron police he ran upstairs to retrieve his roommate's gun and when he returned, Smith was in the middle of the road and fired at him. Garr returned fire, claiming it was self-defense.

No one was hit.

Following the incident UA released a special edition Zipmail requesting students' help.

"The City of Akron Police Department and the university are requesting your help in locating a suspect involved in an off-campus incident," the Zipmail said. "If you know about the location of the suspect or have any information about him, please contact APD or UAPD."

Smith is described as black, approximately six feet tall and weighing about 250 pounds. APD and UAPD are looking for Smith, who faces charges of aggravated burglary and felonious assault. There are warrants for his arrest.

Labels: assault, home invasion, OH, student defender

Robber, 15, fatally shot by would-be victim

A 25-year-old Cleveland man shot and killed Arthur C. Buford, 15, after the boy tried to rob him, police said. Buford was shot in the chest at 8:30 p.m. Saturday and taken to MetroHealth Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead about an hour later, according to Cleveland police spokesman Thomas Stacho.

Buford and an accomplice reportedly robbed a man at gunpoint on the porch of his house near East 134th Street and Kinsman Road. Stacho said the robbery victim had just walked home from a nearby store. Stacho said the robbery victim, whose name was withheld, told police he pulled his own gun and shot the teenager, who staggered away and collapsed in the street. The accomplice banged on neighbors' doors for help before fleeing, Stacho said.

Man carrying concealed gun fatally shoots robbery suspect

A man pulled a gun from a shoulder holster and shot a teenage robbery suspect in one of the first fatal shootings in the state involving a concealed carry permit holder, police said.

Damon Wells, 25, was walking from a neighborhood store back to his east side home Saturday night when two youths confronted him. 'One pulled a gun and told him, 'Don't move or I'll pop you,' said police Lt. Thomas Stacho. 'He said he thought he was going to die.'

Wells put his hands up and walked to his front porch, then pulled his gun and shot 15-year-old Arthur Buford several times in the chest, Stacho said. Buford stumbled away and collapsed on a sidewalk where he died. The other suspect fled.

Police released Wells on Monday without filing charges, but city prosecutors will continue to investigate the case, Stacho said. Police were holding Wells' .40-caliber Smith and Wesson as evidence.

Wells has an unlisted phone number and could not be reached for comment.

Stacho did not know of any other fatal shootings in Cleveland involving a person with a permit to carry a concealed gun.

More

NAACP Leader Calls Homicide Among Young Black Men Epidemic

The Cleveland NAACP responded Friday to criticism surrounding the shooting death of a teenage boy during a robbery.

NAACP President George Forbes and Cleveland Councilman Zach Reed said the black community failed 15-year-old Arthur Buford, NewsChannel5 reported.

They said Buford was wrong for allegedly trying to rob Damon Wells at gunpoint on Saturday.

Wells opened fire and killed Buford at East 134th Street and Kinsman. Police said Wells had a valid weapons permit and used the gun in self-defense.

"Then you have a 26-year-old young man who had every right to protect his life, protect his fiance and protect his property. But he has to life with the fact that for the rest of his lie he shot a 15-year-old boy," said Reed.

"That man had a right to do what he did. If he didn't do it, we'd be sitting here today mourning him rather than the 15-year-old," said Forbes.

They pointed out that homicide is the leading cause of death for black men 15 to 24.

Forbes said that if we saw those kind of numbers for an illness, the community would be outraged.

He said the community should also treat this as an epidemic.

Labels: concealed carry permit, minor offender, OH, residence robbery

Man thwarts home invasion

A home invasion abruptly ended early today when a man brandished a rifle at two suspects, a Cincinnati dispatcher said.

Police were called to a home in the 4300 block of Plainville Road about 2:16 a.m. for a report of a home invasion.

When they arrived, a man told them two men broke into the home and forced two women there onto the ground.

He said he pointed a rifle at the suspects, and they ran off.

They are described as two black men in their 20s who wore blue and white handkerchiefs, the dispatcher said.

Labels: home invasion, OH

Local jury acquits Reno man of assault

A Washington County jury decided Wednesday a Reno man was justified in clubbing his nephew and firing a gun at a vehicle outside his residence last August.

Mark W. Dunn, 54, of 65 Shady Hill Road, Reno, had faced up to 32 years in prison and $60,000 in fines after he was charged with assaulting his nephew, Jason Dunn, 20, of Marietta, and firing a gun at the man’s vehicle as it pulled from his residence.

Mark Dunn said his nephew arrived at his home drunk and with two friends around 2 a.m. Aug. 28 looking to settle a dispute. He claimed self-defense for clubbing the man and for later firing a gun.

Assistant Washington County Prosecutor Susan Vessels argued Dunn had a responsibility to walk away from the fight. She accused Mark Dunn of not fighting fair by bringing weapons to the fight.

“We can’t live in a society where we let people take the law into their own hands,” Vessels said. “We can’t live in a county where we let people take clubs and guns to a fist fight.”

Mark Dunn testified he tried to convince his belligerent nephew to peacefully leave his residence. When that failed, he said he tried to back the man away from his home with a club. He said that’s when Jason Dunn knocked him to the ground. While still on the ground, Mark Dunn said he began swinging a club at the man’s legs.

“It had no effect,” Mark Dunn said.

As he started to stand, Mark Dunn said his nephew drew his fist back to strike him. That’s when he struck him on top of the head with the club.

“He was towering over me,” Mark Dunn said. “I was going to get hurt. He’s no kid anymore. He’s a big guy.”

Dunn’s attorneys, Rolf Baumgartel and Bill Burton, said Jason Dunn was several inches taller and about 100 pounds heavier than their client at the time of the fight.

After striking Jason Dunn on the head, Mark Dunn said his nephew staggered back and fell against a car. As he went to check on him, he said two other men he hadn’t seen before came at him — one with a stick.

“I asked him what he thought he was going to do with that ... He said, ‘I’m going to defend myself.’ That’s when I said ‘to hell with this, I’m going to get my gun,” Dunn said. “It was three against one. There was two standing and one on the ground and I knew he was going to be getting up soon and that he was going to be double-mad.”

After grabbing a .22 rifle from inside his home, Mark Dunn said he came back out looking for the three men. He said he walked up behind their vehicle when he heard his nephew instruct the driver to run him down with the car.

“I thought they were going to squash me in my own driveway,” Mark Dunn said. “I tried to shoot the tires out. I wanted the car to stop. I was shooting at the tires, not the car.”

After two full days of testimony, the jury of 11 women and one man deliberated for about five hours before reaching the verdict.

Baumgartel said people have an absolute right to defend themselves.

“When you go to someone’s home at 2:15 in the morning and you get hurt — that’s just too bad,” Baumgartel said. “Jason Dunn didn’t just exercise bad judgment, he broke the law.”

Labels: assault, domestic dispute, OH

Shootout leads to car accident

A Warren man exchanged gunfire early Tuesday morning with someone who then tried to steal the man’s car, a police report shows.

Martin Bonish, 55, 1625 Youngstown Road S.E. told police a man walking by his home as he was pulling into the drive about 12:45 a.m. opened fire after a brief conversation between the two.

Bonish, licensed to carry a concealed weapon, returned fire, which is when the man jumped in Bonish’s still-running car and tried driving away, according to the report.

But the man, who was trying to back out of the drive, hit a street sign and then accelerated forward across the street, through a fence and into a junk vehicle in a nearby parking lot, the report states.

The man hopped a fence and got into a car that drove up to the crash, the report states.

Labels: assault, carjacking, concealed carry permit, OH

Man Claims To Shoot Suspect In Self-Defense

A man told Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputies that he shot someone out of self defense on Thursday night.

The shooting happened on Powell Road in Westwood.

The man told police that he was attacked in a parking lot and he grabbed a gun and shot his attacker.

Sheriff's deputies searched the area for a shooting victim but their search turned up empty.

Police say that they are continuing an investigation into the claim.

Labels: assault, OH

Break-in Part II: McComas home hit Saturday

The West Sunset Drive man who set a trap to catch the person he said was stealing from him faced another burglar Saturday morning.

This time, the 78-year-old William Kenneth McComas lost the struggle for the gun and sustained muscle strains and bruises on the back, neck and head.

He was treated and released from WRH Health Systems, where he was transported by Rittman Emergency Medical Services.

A few hours after the incident, Casey Wood, 18, of Fairlawn Avenue, and Charles Mattingly, 21, of Fourth Street, were arrested, police Chief Larry Boggs said.

Wood is being held on a burglary charge with a $10,000 bond, while Mattingly faces a charge of receiving stolen property and $5,000 bond.

Saturday's incident is the second time in a week McComas faced an intruder, but police say it appears to be unrelated. On March 31, McComas waited in the dark with a handgun and a telephone for a man he suspected of stealing from his home.

Chris Lively, 26, of Front Street, was arrested in that incident. McComas held a gun on Lively until the police arrived a few minutes later.

The most recent incident began about 6:30 a.m., by McComas' recollection. He heard someone hitting the newly installed unbreakable glass on his kitchen door. He said he looked out the window to see if there was a car in his driveway, but saw none and went back to bed.

Moments later, the wood on the kitchen door gave way to a kick, and an intruder burst into McComas' bedroom door.

Later at the police station, McComas identified the man who he saw in the bedroom as Wood. He recalled performing Wood's father's wedding some years before and remembered meeting the young man, he said.

The police press release said Wood and Mattingly entered the home, but McComas said he remembers seeing only Wood.

When Wood burst in the bedroom door, he called McComas by name and shouted to give him his money and billfold, McComas said.

McComas said he pulled a firearm out from under the bedcovers, but was holding the barrel.

The intruder struggled for the gun. McComas let go because he was afraid the younger man would shoot him, McComas said. He said his body was twisted during the struggle, resulting in the bruises and muscle strains.

The man threatened to kill him and claimed to be on crack, McComas said.

The intruder left with about $500 in cash, medication and the handgun, McComas said.

McComas dialed for the police as Wood walked out the door. He recalled Wood turning around, spying the phone and calling out, "I love you, Kenny."

Four police officers arrived two minutes after getting the call at 6:38 a.m., Boggs said.

(More)

Retired preacher aiming to stop intruders

Rittman man confronts burglars twice in a week

Dr. Kenny McComas has dealt with some rather notorious criminals during his decades of prison counseling, including a face-to-face meeting with Robert Kennedy's assassin, Sirhan Sirhan.

But the retired Baptist preacher is working now at the other end of the law-enforcement spectrum -- he's catching crime suspects.

Helping to rehabilitate criminals was a choice for McComas, while catching suspects became a matter of self-defense for the 77-year-old Rittman resident who still holds a Bible in one hand but packs big-time heat in the other.

McComas used a lay-in-wait tactic with a loaded gun and a telephone in the master bedroom of his modest ranch to apprehend an intruder during an afternoon break-in March 31.

McComas wasn't quite as effective Saturday, however, when he was accosted in his bedroom at 6:30 a.m. But less than 10 hours later, Rittman police had arrested Rittman residents Casey P. Wood, 18, and Charles W. Mattingly, 21, on the strength of leads that McComas provided.

McComas said he had hired both men to perform odd jobs around his home in the 500 block of West Sunset Drive.

The two break-ins were the latest in a string of seven since July at McComas' home next door to Calvary Baptist Church.

(Lots More)

Labels: home invasion, OH, residence robbery

Cab Driver Shoots Alleged Assailant

Shooting Victim Critically Hurt

A man is critically injured and a cab driver is undergoing treatment after an early-morning shooting on Vine Street on Monday morning.

Police said the cab driver told them he was dropping off a fare across from Veterans Hospital in the 3200 block of Vine Street when the man began assaulting him.

The cab driver said the man took money from him during the assault.

The cab driver told officers that he pulled a gun and shot the man in self-defense.

The man was transported to University Hospital with life-threatening injuries. His name has not been released.

The incident is still under investigation.

Labels: assault, OH, street robbery

Intruder faces gun Rittman resident holds alleged burglar for police

A burglar allegedly found himself facing a gun during a burglary attempt on Saturday.

Chris Lively, 26, of Front Street, was charged with burglary in an incident in which the homeowner pulled out a gun and called the police, according to the Rittman Police Department.

Lively allegedly entered the West Sunset Street home of William Kenneth McComas, 77, on Saturday afternoon, said Officer Mark Waggy.

McComas was expecting Lively, said interim city manager and former police chief Larry Boggs, reading from the department's records.

Lively had done yard work for McComas over the years, and McComas suspected him of stealing various items from the home, Boggs said.

McComas noticed the thefts occurred while he was out of town, Boggs said. The man decided to set a trap to catch the thief. McComas told Lively he was going away on Saturday but hid in the house with a companion, Boggs said.

McComas locked the doors. Lively allegedly used a key, which he was not authorized to have, to enter, Boggs said.

McComas and his companion confronted Lively when Lively entered the home's office, Boggs said.

McComas pulled out some kind of handgun, Boggs said, and used it to hold Lively until the police arrived.

Rittman police got the call from McComas' house at 4:06 p.m., Waggy said. He and another officer arrived on scene at 4:12.

A Doylestown officer arrived as backup at 4:15, Waggy said.

Lively was arrested and later allegedly confessed to stealing from McComas' property previously, Boggs said. Lively intended to steal something on Saturday but never got the chance, Boggs said.

Under the law, if a person enters an occupied structure with intent to steal or commit another crime, that is a crime, he said.

There was no property damage to McComas' house, Boggs said, and Lively did not show any weapons.

Lively had a permit to carry a concealed weapon, issued in August 2004, said Capt. Doug Hunter of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.

"The fact he's recently run afoul of the law has resulted in the permit being revoked" as of Thursday, Hunter said.

Under Ohio law, people cannot hold concealed carry permits if they have felony convictions or any violence-related convictions, he said.

In March, Lively pleaded not guilty to unrelated charges of forgery and illegal processing of prescription drug documents.

Lively was convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol from September 2001, Boggs said, sifting through police records.

Driving offenses would not affect the permit, Hunter said.

Labels: concealed carry permit, OH, residence burglary

A suspect attempted to rob someone.

The "victim" turned the tables, snatched the gun from the suspect and shot the suspect.

An off-duty officer came upon the scene, was able to disarm the robbery victim who had the gun. Then the off-duty commandeered a vehicle and chased down the initial robbery suspect.

Labels: criminal's gun taken away and used against him, OH, street robbery

Resident, Suspect Open Fire During Apparent Home Invasion

Two men are in the hospital Tuesday morning after a shooting at an east side apartment.

According to police, three men tried to kick-in a door at an apartment on Little Bend Circle, NBC 4's Mike Bowersock reported.

One man inside the home apparently had a gun and opened fire at the robbery suspects, striking one of them. Then, police said, one of the robbery suspects fired back, hitting one of the residents.

Although the investigation is ongoing, detectives weren't ruling out the possibility that the two groups of men knew each other.

"Don't know for sure at this point – I'd say they probably do know each other," said Columbus police Det. Art Hughes. "Everything's still under investigation. We have other detectives down at the station questioning everybody."

According to Hughes, the resident who was shot was in critical condition, and the suspect who was wounded is in stable condition. He said both men would be interviewed when their conditions improve.

Police said the other robbery suspects were apprehended at a nearby Meijer store following the shooting.

Labels: defender shot, home invasion, OH, residence robbery

Hamilton Man Kills Intruder

Police say a Hamilton man shot and killed an intruder early Friday morning.

It happened in the 900 block of Bishop Avenue around 1:30 a.m.

Police say when they got to the scene, the resident said someone he had just shot someone who broke into his home.

Officers found the alleged intruder dead on the floor.

The next step is for prosecutors to announce if the resident, whose name has not been released, will be charged.

Earlier this week, a Covington man was not charged after he shot and killed a man who broke into his home along Delmar Place.

Man shoots, kills burglar during home invasion

A Hamilton man was shot five times early Friday morning after striking a resident with a sledgehammer during a home invasion in Lindenwald, according to Hamilton police.

Officers responded to a home on the 900 block of Bishop Avenue just after 1:30 a.m. Friday to the report of a shooting. On arrival, Jamie R. Buck, 33, told them a man demanding money and jewelry broke through his kitchen door with a sledgehammer, according to a Hamilton police report that chronicles an aggravated burglary, but does not mention the shooting.

Buck said he shot the man, later identified as Millard Brandenburg, in self defense.

"He's laying dead in my kitchen," Buck said on the 911 tape. "He tried to kill me."

Buck returned home just after 9 a.m. Friday from The Fort Hamilton Hospital with a bandage wrapped around his head.

"Everything's OK," he told reporters. "I'm fine."

Results of an autopsy performed Friday at the Butler County morgue indicate Brandenburg was shot once in the head, three times in the torso and once in the flank, said county Coroner Dr. Richard Burkhardt, who added that "(Brandenburg) was intoxicated."

An exterior door at Buck's residence was broken, Burkhardt said, and the resident was not only hit with a sledgehammer, but also with a framed picture off his wall.

"He (Brandenburg) grabbed a picture and hit him (Buck) in the head," the coroner said.

Lee North, a friend of the resident seen leaving the home Friday morning, said the intruder hit Buck in the head with the hammer and that Buck retreated back to his bedroom to get his gun.

North, who had been inside talking with the resident's relatives, said there was a trail of blood between the kitchen and the bedroom.

Buck also called for police early Monday morning during an incident at Bob's Cafe on Hooven Avenue. According to a police report, Buck said he attempted to stop an unidentified man from beating a woman and when he called for police he was attacked, forced to the ground and stomped. Buck suffered an injured eye, jaw, mouth and head, according to the report. Hamilton police did not know whether the bar fight was connected to the break-in at Buck's home.

Brandenburg has a lengthy criminal record that includes arrests for ethnic intimidation, aggravated menacing, drug abuse, forgery, fleeing and eluding and assault. Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper said Brandenburg recently had been released from prison.

Piper said he was consulted about the case just hours after the shooting occurred. Detectives and prosecutors are still looking at the physical evidence, but Piper said he hasn't seen any evidence inconsistent with Buck's self-defense version of the incident.

"In a case like this, it is not unlikely that a grand jury would review it," Piper said. "But I don't see anything right now that doesn't point to self defense."

Click to listen to 911 call

Labels: OH, residence burglary

Franklinton man, 79, kills intruder, police say

A 79-year-old Franklinton man struggled with and fatally shot an armed intruder at his home last night, police say.

"The intruder kicked in the back door and struck the homeowner, knocking him down," said Columbus Police homicide detective William B. Rotthoff. "They wrestled. The homeowner grabbed the intruder’s gun, pulled out his own pistol and shot him in the chest."

The intruder, whose name was not immediately released, ran from 962 Sullivant Ave. and turned north up the alley next to the house.

A neighbor called police after hearing a gunshot at 8:44 p.m. A patrol officer arrived, finding the intruder lying in the alley. The assailant was taken to Mount Carmel West hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:21 p.m.

The two-story, wood-frame home between Avondale and Hawkes avenues belongs to Virgil R. Lovejoy Jr., a resident there since 1972.

Lovejoy’s daughter, whose name wasn’t available, said that her father had been robbed at least three times before. The family had tried to convince him to move, but he refused to leave.

Labels: home invasion, OH

Man fatally shoots intruder at his South Side home

A man defending his South Side home shot and killed an intruder last night, police said.

The shooting occurred just after 10 p.m. inside 925 Lilley Ave. just south of Livingston Avenue.

According to police, the homeowner was on the second floor.

"He heard a crash through the front-door window," said Columbus police homicide detective Bill Rotthoff. "He comes downstairs and there’s a person in the living room he doesn’t know."

Police declined to release the name of the intruder, who died at Grant Medical Center, or the homeowner.

The homeowner was being interviewed early this morning by police. It was unlikely he would be charged, Rotthoff said.

Labels: home invasion, OH

Store Clerk Fights Back Against Would-Be Robbers

For the second time in a week, a store clerk fought back against would-be robbers.

The attempted robbery occurred at the Walford Market in Clinton Township at about 8 p.m., NBC 4's David Wayne reported.

Police said 19-year-old Shandos Young and 18-year-old Justin Cockrell entered the market with bandanas over their faces and threatened the owner and another employee.

The store owner wrestled the gun away from one of the robbers and then fired the gun at them.

"I seen these guys storm in with their guns. I dropped the phone, backed away, drew my gun and fired two shots and just tried to get them out of the store," said Clive Weidle, the store clerk.

Investigators said set of footprints leading away from the store guided officers to the alleged weapon, a coat and latex gloves.

Both teenagers were captured a few blocks away and charged in connection with the robbery.

Officials said the extensive surveillance system in the market showed the incident from several angles.

The teens are scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

No injuries were reported.

Labels: business robbery, criminal's gun taken away and used against him, OH

One Shot in Botched Robbery Attempt

One person was shot early Friday morning in what Toledo police are calling a botched robbery attempt.

It happened on North Hawley Street near Hamilton and Buckingham streets around 2:40 a.m.

Detectives say a 30-year-old man was getting into his vehicle after leaving Club Mirage, when he was approached by another man.

The suspect demanded money and when the other man tried to run away, he was shot in the back. Police say the wound is life threatening as the bullet entered the victim's chest cavity. The victim also had a gun, got a shot off, but missed.

The victim managed to make it down the street and that is where the police found him. He was taken to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center and is in surgery.

The suspect fled the scene. He is described as a black male in his 20s, with a white leather jacket, dark pants with a printed pattern and a black skull cap.

Labels: OH, street robbery

Man’s shooting was self-defense, grand jury says

Ross County father killed his daughter’s boyfriend Dec. 24

A Ross County grand jury did not indict a man accused of killing his daughter’s boyfriend, saying he acted in self-defense when he shot the man who had threatened his family.

Acting Ross County Prosecutor Michael Ater said he will drop murder charges against Billy E. Moore, 46, who was arrested shortly after the Christmas Eve shooting.

Moore was accused of shooting Bradley Cassidy, 42, once in the chest. He was released from jail yesterday, Ater said.

At home yesterday, Moore said he was grateful that the charges were dropped but was truly sorry for what happened.

"It’s a terrible situation. I’d really like to apologize to (Cassidy’s) mom, his family and the neighbors," he said.

Authorities got a 911 call on Christmas Eve from Moore’s daughter, saying that she and Cassidy, with whom she had a relationship, had argued and that he threatened to burn down Moore’s home near Bainbridge. He also threatened to kill her and their young child, Ater said.

The woman ran to Moore’s house and called her father. But when Moore got to his house, the place was ransacked and he couldn’t find his daughter, Ater said.

Moore and his wife went to look for her. As they drove, Cassidy pulled his vehicle onto the road and blocked Moore’s path.

That’s when Cassidy told Moore that he had just killed Moore’s daughter and grandchild and had thrown their bodies into a ravine, prosecutors said.

Cassidy began lunging at Moore with a metal baseball bat, and Moore ran back to his truck and grabbed a pistol.

Moore told Cassidy to get away but Cassidy kept swinging at him. Moore then shot Cassidy once in the chest, prosecutors said. Cassidy was pronounced dead at Greenfield Area Medical Center.

Moore’s daughter and grandchild were found at a relative’s house and were not injured, Ater said.

"It was a very bad situation that I got put into, and I didn’t know what to do," Moore said. He said he was thankful that his daughter and 1-year-old grandson were not hurt but knows that difficult times lie ahead, especially for his grandson.

"Someday, I’m going to have to explain that I shot his father. I don’t know how I’m going to do that," Moore said.

Ater said the initial murder charge was "absolutely appropriate" based on the information authorities had at the time.

Labels: domestic dispute, OH

1 Fatally Shot In Apparent Home Invasion

Deputies in Clark County said one man is dead and another in critical condition after an apparent home invasion overnight.

The shooting happened just after 10:30 p.m. Tuesday in German Township. Sheriff Gene Kelly said both men were shot multiple times.

Investigators said the deceased man was found on the front porch. They said the other man was taken by Careflight to Miami Valley Hospital.

Deputies said, at this time, the people inside the home fired in self-defense.

One killed, one wounded in home invasion

Authorities say one man was shot and killed and another wounded by a woman whose Springfield-area home the men were breaking into in an attempted robbery.

Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly says the home invasion occurred late Tuesday night when two men -- one who was masked and at least one who was armed -- forced their way into the home and started to assault the male homeowner.

The sheriff says the woman retrieved a handgun from inside the house, there was a struggle, and the woman shot both of the suspects.

The sheriff says one of the men died after making it out to the front porch, and the other was taken to a hospital in Dayton.

Former Springfield Star Athlete Killed In Shooting

Authorities said one man was shot and killed and another was wounded when they allegedly tried to break into a Springfield-area home.

Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly said the home invasion happened late Tuesday night when two armed men forced their way into the Darnell Drive home and started attacking Colin Jenkins, 19.

Officers said Jenkins' girlfriend, Megan Stapleton, 19, was in a bedroom getting ready for bed when the two men came inside. Kelly said Stapleton shot the men with a gun that the couple already had in the home.

John Carson, 29, of Springfield, died at the scene after being shot multiple times. Carson is a former stand-out athlete at South High School. He was a star basketball player on the team before graduating in 1996.

The other suspect, 23-year-old Dow Huffman of West Liberty, was also shot multiple times. He is listed in critical condition at Miami Valley Hospital.

Kelly said officers believe the woman shot the men in self defense, and the home invasion was likely a random act. He said the homeowners and the two suspects did not know each other.

Labels: home invasion, OH, residence robbery

Woman shot with own gun

The Harrison Twp. resident, 70, fought with intruders, who shot her during the struggle.

Montgomery County — A 70-year-old woman was shot and seriously injured by her own gun during a struggle with an intruder Sunday night.

Shirley Rose lives alone in a mobile home at 3801 South Trail Drive in Harrison Twp. She was dressed for bed and in her living room when two men in masks forced their way in about 10:40 p.m. and demanded Rose's purse, Montgomery County Sheriff's Capt. Jeff Papanek said.

Rose refused and struggled with one of the intruders. The intruder fired the gun during the struggle, hitting Rose in the stomach, Papenek said.

Detectives believe the intruders took the gun when they fled. Deputies searched the area but found no suspects.

Rose had surgery at Miami Valley Hospital, Papanek said, and was in serious condition Monday.

Labels: defender shot, home invasion, OH, residence robbery

Man Shot During Apparent Home Invasion

Bullet holes in a wall and door mark the struggle that took place during an apparent home invasion on the city's south side.

Investigators said three men with a gun forced their way inside a home on Lockbourne Road Friday night, NBC 4's Ana Jackson reported.

Resident Elaine Solomon said she was baking cookies when she heard a knock on the door.

“Me and my daughter were in the kitchen making gingerbread men when somebody knocked on the door,” Solomon said.

She said she answered the door, but didn’t recognize the man knocking.

“I see the face and I was like, ‘I don’t know you,’ ” she said

That’s when Solomon said three men with at least one gun forced their way inside, Jackson reported.

“All I remember is an arm coming over and seeing the gun,” she said. “I was scared. I didn’t know what to do. I thought he was going to shoot us.”

But Solomon’s boyfriend heard the intrusion from a back bedroom and fought back.

“I just got my pistol and came around the corner,” said Red Evans. “That’s where they were pushing her through and I just started shooting.”

Evans said he shot one of the intruders and chased them from the house, Jackson reported.

Minutes later, police said they received a report from a house on nearby Ohio Avenue.

A man there had been shot, but people who lived at the home didn’t know who he was, police said.

Investigators said the same man may have been one of the suspects in the home invasion, Jackson reported.

Labels: home invasion, OH

Store Owner Shoots, Kills Robber

No Charges Filed Against Store Owner

A man was shot to death during a robbery at a tire store on Tuesday night. Police said the shooting doesn't appear to be murder, but rather self-defense.

Police said Arfan Midani, the owner of A&A Tires, was working Tuesday night when an armed man approached him and demanded money, NBC 4's David Wayne reported.

The two men struggled and Midani gained control of the gun and shot the man twice in the stomach and once in the leg, police said.

Anthony Lewis was taken to Grant Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

No charges were filed against Midani.

"Everyone has the right to defend themselves if they feel they are in a situation where that type of action is required," said Columbus police Sgt. Christ Holzhauser.

Labels: business robbery, criminal's gun taken away and used against him, OH

Clerk/Robber Have Shootout

A robber gets more than he bargained for at a Dayton convenience store. The thief walked into the Express Market on Necco Avenue last night with a gun. Instead of giving him cash, the clerk whipped out his own pistol and the two shot at each other. Officers followed a blood trial over to Kings Mill Court where they found the suspect shot in the shoulder. The clerk wasn't hit.

Store clerk involved in gunfight with would-be robber

A store clerk involved in a gunfight Monday night fired straighter than a would-be robber, leaving the man wounded and fleeing into the night.

Police said a man entered the Express Mart, 3999 Necco Ave., about 9 p.m. armed with a handgun. The clerk behind the counter pulled out a handgun of his own and both men discharged their weapons, Dayton police Sgt. Scott Lawson said.

The clerk wasn't hit, but the robber was shot in his shoulder and ran.

He turned up a little while later at the residence of an acquaintance near Kings Mill Court, a few blocks east of the mart, and called an ambulance to treat his wound.

Police also responded to the call and quickly realized the wounded man was their suspect because he matched the description of the robber — right down to his choice of clothing.

After treatment for the non life-threatening injury at a hospital, the suspect was taken to the Montgomery County Jail, Lawson said.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Barbershop owner shoots suspect after he and his patrons are robbed Wednesday evening.

Cleveland Police confirm that the robbery occurred shortly after 730pm Wednesday evening.

A 47-year-old male entered the barbershop located near East 124th and Buckeye Road in Cleveland.

The male robbed the store and the patrons inside taking cash, jewelry, and other valuables.

The store owner, who has a concealed weapons permit, pulled out his handgun shooting at the robber. The suspect was struck in the elbow.

The robber dropped his weapon and fled.

A short time later, police located the male and took him into custody.

The male was taken to Huron Hospital where he is being treated for his gunshot wound.

Labels: business robbery, concealed carry permit, OH

Jarriel Searight is charged with murder and aggravated robbery in the death of Kevin Stevenson of Mount Healthy, police said Monday night.

Searight did not fire the shot that killed Stevenson, but because he and Stevenson were committing a felony during which a person was killed, he was charged with murder, Homicide Sgt. Robert Liston said.

The person or persons who fired the fatal shot that killed Stevenson remained at large Monday night, Liston said.

Searight and Stevenson attempted to rob a street vendor in the 6500 block of Montgomery Road about 2:50 p.m., police said. While fleeing the scene, an unknown person or persons fired shots at the two robbers and struck Stevenson, killing him.

“Somebody in the crowd fired shots at the robbers,” Liston said. The person or persons who fired the fatal shots may have been acting to help the robbery victim, Liston said.

Labels: OH, street robbery

Man with bat beats Crime Stoppers chief

Central Ohio Crime Stoppers President Kevin Miles had to draw his handgun to stop a man from beating him with a baseball bat on Sunday, he said.

"Fortunately for him I didn’t have a bullet in the chamber," Miles said of his attacker, described only as a light-haired white man in his late 20s.

"I saw the guy right up close. … I know I should be able to tell more. Maybe if I settle down," he said last night.

Miles, who oversees the local nonprofit group that pays police informants, said he lay in an alley for 15 minutes after the attack, comforted by his 3-yearold Shar-Pei, Archie, who also was struck with the bat.

Miles said he eventually called a friend and went to Riverside Methodist Hospital, suffering severe bruises on his arm, head and leg.

"My arm is not broken, but it sure as heck feels like it," said Miles, 49.

He said he was walking Archie on Sunday morning in Victorian Village when a car pulled up to him in an alley.

"Before I knew it, he was out of the car and he was hitting me," Miles said.

He tried to block the bat with his arm, then was struck in the leg and went down. The attacker also hit the dog before Miles pointed the gun at him. The attacker said something to Miles and left, he said. He wasn’t robbed.

Miles has a permit to carry a concealed weapon. His dog is OK, he said.

Labels: assault, concealed carry permit, OH

Labels: assault, home invasion, OH

Police say a 14-year old teen was shot while trying to rob a man in his bedroom.

It happened on Cleveland's east side this morning.

Police say after the shooting, the teen ran to his friend's home on Torbenson Street, where he was picked up by EMS.

The 60-year old man was arrested but police released him after determining he shot the teen in self-defense.

The teen is expected to be okay.

Who should be charged when a homeowner shoots an intruder?

Nelson says two teenage boys came to his east-side home looking for money for McDonalds on Monday, and when they wouldn't leave, they stormed inside.

Nelson says he ran to his upstairs bedroom, the two teens followed him-- then began charging the door.

"If they thought I was messing around messing around, just playing--I don't know what gave them that idea."

Nelson lodged a dresser against the door, then, police say, the two began trying to kick it in, and that's when Nelson grabbed for his gun.

"[The one teen] kept on pushing the door--and that's when it [the gun] went off," he says.

One boy was shot in the face. Both were able to run. The injured teen was hospitalized, the other was booked on robbery charges.

A short time later the 60-year Nelson was arrested for felonious assault.

Within 24-hours he was released, forgave the teenagers and says he's eager for the next step. "Next is my court date, to determine whether I'm guilty or not."

The teenager who was shot is 14-years old. His sister tells WKYC.com he is still hospitalized, re-covering from injuries to his eyes and nose.

The second teenager is 15-years old. He's out of jail, and tonight tells WKYC.com he has not been charged, but charges may be coming.

As for Nelson, he was arrested on felonious assault charges, but it will take a Grand Jury to decide whether the charges will stick.

Labels: home invasion, OH, residence robbery

No Charges In Fatal Shooting Of Teen

Prosecutors say no charges will be filed in the shooting death of a teenager last month. A Kennedy Heights homeowner, 61 year-old Bennie Hall Jr, shot and killed 14 year-old Quavale Finnell after police say the teen was driving away in the shooter's car.

The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday: "Due to the rise in violence in his neighborhood and the fact his own grandson was a shooting victim right down the street, Mr. Hall had taken the proper steps to get a Concealed Carry Permit. Forensic evidence also confirms that at the time of the first shot, the car was moving directly towards Mr. Hall. This is consistent with the statements of Mr. Hall and a witness. It is the opinion of this office that Mr. Hall acted in self-defense and no charges will be filed against him.

Prosecutor Deters: "It is a tragedy that this 14-year-old boy lost his life during this incident. Mr. Hall has a right to protect himself with deadly force if his life is in danger or he is in danger of great bodily harm. Based on the totality of the evidence and circumstances, he was doing just that."

Labels: assault, carjacking, concealed carry permit, OH

Man Shot And Killed In Warren County

Police are on the scene of a fatal shooting today in Warren County.

A man was killed trying to break into a home in the 2700 block of State Route 741 in Turtlecreek Township.

In a dramatic call to 911 a woman is heard telling dispatchers that a man who was one of Warren County's most wanted tried to break into their home.

The woman's husband can be heard screaming in the background recalling the events as she talks to dispatchers. The caller said that the man was lying in the driveway and didn't know if he was still alive or not.

The woman told dispatchers that the man, who she named, was staying with the family and didn't know that he was wanted by police officers until he apparently ran from the home when police showed up after a recent incident.

After finding out that he was wanted from the police, the family didn't let him return.

The intruder apparently called and threatened the family that he would kill them if they wouldn't let him into the home.

The caller said that her husband shot the intruder with a nine millimeter handgun. In the call she tells police that she believed that he was armed.

Labels: assault, home invasion, OH

Store Clerk Shoots Man In Apparent Robbery Try

A Winton Place store clerk has minor injuries, and his alleged assailant has significant gunshot wounds after an attempted robbery Monday night.

The struggle happened at the S&S Deli on Winton Road in Winton Place. A police sergeant on the scene said a man came into the store around 8:30 p.m., and started wrestling with the clerk during a robbery attempt.

Police didn't know if this was an attempted holdup or a theft that turned into robbery, but the pair ended up fighting in the store. At some point the store clerk received a head injury from a fall, and at another point he was able to get a gun from behind the counter and shoot the suspect.

Both were taken to the hospital, the store owner with minor injuries. Police heard the robbery suspect was "not in very good shape" from the shooting, but an official condition from the hospital was not available.

Both the clerk and the suspect are in their mid-30's. Police said it appeared the clerk's actions were in self-defense. Neither name was released at the scene.

Police: Would-Be Deli Robber Dies At Hospital

A man who was shot while trying to rob a deli Monday night has died of his injuries, police said.

According to investigators, 37-year-old Gary Edward Eden hit the deli owner over the head with a full can of soda, then ran around behind the counter.

The owner shot Eden, and both were taken to University Hospital. Eden was pronounced dead Wednesday.

No charges have been filed in the case.

Prosecutor: No Charges For Store Owner Who Shot Thief

Deters Says Man Acted In Self Defense

The Hamilton County prosecutor said Tuesday that he will not pursue charges against a store owner who shot and killed a would-be thief last month.

On Oct. 23, police said Gary Eden entered the S & S Deli in Winton Place and attempted to rob the store. Investigators said Eden hit the store’s owner, Samson Aregawe, on the head with a full can of soda and immediately ran behind the counter toward the owner.

Aregawe then pulled a gun from under the counter and shot Eden, police said.

Eden was transferred to University Hospital, where he died two days later. Aregawe was also taken to the hospital where he was treated and released.

"It is our belief that the victim was acting in self defense and acted reasonably. There will be no presentation to the grand jury based upon these facts," prosecutor Joe Deters said.

Labels: business robbery, OH

Clerk Exchanges Gunfire With Suspected Robber

Police are searching for a man suspected of shooting a store clerk late Thursday night.

Store clerk Merhad Abdulshaheed, 18, and one of the suspects involved in a robbery attempt were injured in a gunfire exchange. The other suspect got away.

The shooting happened at the B&M Food Market at West 70th Street and Clark Avenue at about 9 p.m.

Police said bullets were exchanged between the clerk and two suspects. Abdulshaheed was shot in the arm. He was taken to the hospital and treated and released.

The suspect, 21-year-old Dion Palmer, was shot multiple times and was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center. He is listed in fair condition.

Although the other suspect fled, police believe he was struck by a bullet.

Residents in the neighborhood said they are sick of store robberies. Abdulshaheed said that when he recovers he will be looking for a different job.

Police have only a vague description of the second gunman. He as described as a black man in his early 20s, about 6 feet 1 inch tall and 215 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.

Labels: business robbery, defender shot, OH

Prosecutor: Jeromesville man will not be charged because shooting was self-defense

No criminal charges will be filed in connection with a shooting earlier this month in Jeromesville that sent a rural Ashland man to the hospital.

Prosecutor Ramona Francesconi-Rogers said Friday the shooting was self-defense after reviewing the facts in the case, statements from three people involved and applicable state law.

A. Thomas Piacent, 53, of 783 County Road 30A, Ashland, was shot in the abdomen Aug. 6 after entering the home of his stepson-in-law, Michael Bigley, at 36 Glenn St., Jeromesville, at around 9 p.m.

Piacent spent several days in critical condition at an out-of-town hospital and has since been released. Bigley, 35, spent several days in the Ashland County Jail before he was released without being charged.

Francesconi-Rogers said the incident started when Piacent read a published report that Bigley attacked a 17-year-old boy in front of his home and went to Glenn Street to confront Bigley about "things he felt were of an ongoing nature" involving the treatment of his stepdaughter and her children. Piacent went into the home and found Bigley in a back bedroom, where they got into a verbal argument.

Piacent called Bigley outside to "settle things like men," was locked out of the home, pounded on windows around the front door, went to his vehicle to get a cane and then broke down the door, which was locked with a deadbolt. The prosecutor said Bigley warned Piacent he would shoot if Piacent tried to come back in, and fired a .38-caliber handgun after Piacent shattered the doorframe when he re-entered.

Francesconi-Rogers said both men told essentially the same story to law enforcement officials, as did a man who accompanied Piacent as a witness and "for protection." He was not identified.

The prosecutor said she decided not to file charges or to take the case to the grand jury, which met Thursday and Friday, after reviewing the facts and applying Ohio law and the criteria for a successful self-defense argument. She said the criteria include:

. The defendant is not at fault for creating the situation that gave rise to the event that resulted in harm.

. The defendant has a reasonable belief he or she is in immediate or imminent danger of great bodily harm and the only means of retreat from that danger is the use of deadly force.

. The defendant has not violated the duty to retreat.

Francesconi-Rogers also pointed out that a person has no duty to retreat in their home before using deadly force or to use other means first to repel an assailant from coming in. She said the only people in the home at the time were Bigley and his three children, ages 7, 9 and 12.

"The answer appears very clear to me he had the right to defend himself in that home under those circumstances and that he would have established successful self-defense at trial," Francesconi-Rogers said. "Had I had any conflicting evidence or conflicting arguments within this office about what it might have constituted, I would have taken it to the grand jury.".

Labels: domestic dispute, home invasion, OH

Charges dropped in death of officer shot by relative

Charges were dropped Wednesday against a New Franklin man who fatally shot his brother-in-law, an off-duty Akron police officer, during an argument.

A Summit County grand jury declined to indict Jacob Carlson, 32, who was charged with murder after shooting Michael Beitko, of Akron, on July 26. Carlson claimed self-defense.

Beitko and his wife, Suzanne, were visiting Carlson and his family at Carlson's New Franklin home when Beitko began arguing with his wife, officials said.

Carlson's wife, Jenny - Beitko's sister - called police at 9:29 p.m., saying her brother was drunk and fighting with his wife.

Beitko's four children were present, too.

The fight escalated and Carlson, wearing a neck brace because of a swimming injury, shot Beitko.

Beitko was a 14-year veteran of the force who had worked the night shift in the detective bureau since 2001.

Police had been called to his home twice, in 2000 and 2005 for incidents between him and his wife. No charges were filed.

Beitko's police disciplinary rec- ord includes a 10-day suspension in 1993 following a DUI conviction in Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court and a 90-day suspension in 1993 for choking and hitting a handcuffed suspect.

At that time, then-Police Chief Larry Givens recommended he be dismissed.

Beitko was also suspended for 30 days in 2000 for drinking alcohol to the extent that his conduct was unbecoming an officer.

Labels: domestic dispute, OH

Man gets nine years for East Side robbery

A man whose cousin was fatally shot during a robbery attempt in October pleaded guilty yesterday to four counts of aggravated robbery.

Larry Laury, 25, was sentenced to nine years in prison by Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Angela White. A murder charge was dismissed in exchange for the plea.

Laury admitted that he, his cousin and another man went to an apartment on Canterbury Way on the East Side on Oct. 25 and held seven people at gunpoint.

When another man entered the apartment and saw the assailants, he opened fire with a shotgun. Quanta Douglas, 33, of South Carolina, was struck and killed.

Laury, who was a lookout, ran and did not fire his weapon. The third man was never identified or arrested.

The man who shot Douglas, Michael Cooper, was cleared of wrongdoing.

Labels: home invasion, OH, residence robbery