Civilian Gun Self-Defense Blog

Store Clerk Shoots Teen During Robbery in Memphis

Police say a Memphis store clerk shot a 17 year-old boy during a robbery.

According investigators, it happened around 8:50 p.m., Monday, July 14, 2008, at the Margarita Market in the 6000 block of Knight Arnold Road.

Police say the teen and three other men were shoplifting at the store when the clerk confronted them. The four suspects, ages 17, 19, 20, and 28, attacked the clerk during the confrontation, according to investigators. Police say that is when the clerk shot the 17 year-old in the leg.

Police say the teen was taken to the hospital in non-critical condition. The store clerk was treated for minor injuries to his face, neck, and arms said police.

Detectives say all four suspects are in custody, but no charges have been filed at this time.

Labels: assault, business robbery, minor offender, TN

Nashville robbery ends when restaurant manager shoots suspect

Two men tried to rob an Nashville Sonic restaurant, but an assistant manager pulled out a gun and fired shots, causing the suspects to flee. Police believe that one or both of the suspects was wounded.

Metro police Capt. Michele Donegan said that at approximately 10:30 p.m. Thursday, two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, went inside the Sonic at 1410 Robinson Road, in Old Hickory. Several employees were at the restaurant, and numerous customers were at the tables outside and at the drive-ups. The armed suspect showed the gun. The assistant manager then pulled out a gun and fired several shots, Donegan said. The two men fled out the door without firing. Police are still looking for them.

After police arrived on the scene, they followed a blood trail leading across the parking and ending at a car wash. Police think that there was probably a third person with a car that they fled in. Police searched the wooded area behind the car wash using the canine and helicopter units to be sure.

No employees or customers were hurt.

The assistant manager has a carry permit, according to police.

Police are following up on some leads in the incident, which happened in the Hermitage Precinct.

Detailed descriptions of the suspects were not available early Friday morning. "It happened very quickly ... It was extremely fast," Donegan said.

Labels: business robbery, concealed carry permit, TN

Three nabbed after manhunt

Three people are in custody after an all-day manhunt after an attempted home burglary on Sherrilltown Road in the Norene Community, south-southeast of Lebanon, on Thursday.

Wilson County Sheriff Terry Ashe said the incident began around 7 a.m. yesterday when a home on Sherrilltown Road was allegedly broken into. Alan Ricketts, brother of the man who owns the home, and their father, heard the break-in and ran and confronted the three suspects as they were leaving the residence. Ricketts and their father reside nearby.

Ashe said the three suspects tried to run over Ricketts and his father in their truck. Ricketts and his father then began shooting at the three. The gunshots damaged the truck which ended up in a ditch. The three suspects escaped on foot.

The three suspects have been identified as Timmy Dewayne Tomlinson Jr., 22, of Holloway Circle, Lebanon; Jeffery Craddock, 26, of Trousdale Ferry Pike, Lebanon; and Shanna Seibers, 29, of 441 Grant Highway, Gordonsville.

Tomlinson was found and arrested after about three hours, and Craddock was arrested about one hour later, he said.

By coincidence, officers with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department were in the area assisting in Operation Falcon, a joint group including the U.S. Marshal’s Office, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies that works together to find fugitives from justice.

The U.S. Marshal’s Office and THP officers assisted the Sheriff’s Department in searing for the three people. Ashe noted also that Officer Derrick Way with the Mt. Juliet Police Department and his dog assisted in the search, as well.

THP used its helicopter and reportedly located the three suspects in different locations as officers on the ground worked to get to them and place them under arrest.

“(They) opened fire on them,” Ashe said of Ricketts and his father, adding neither one of them broke any laws.

“I believe in the Second Amendment,” Ashe said, adding he believes homeowners have a right to defend their lives and homes.

The sheriff praised the actions of Ricketts and his father, noting they fired their weapons only to disable the truck the suspects were in and not to hurt them.

“We’re formulating charges," Ashe said, against the three suspects, adding “there will be multiple charges.”

There were no injuries reported as a result of the incident, although one of the suspects was complaining of a sore wrist which Ashe said would be looked at by medical personnel.

Labels: assault, residence burglary, TN

Burglary Suspect Shot by Memphis Homeowner Charged

Memphis Police say a man broke into another man's home and was shot. The accused burglar is charged with aggravated burglary.

Police say Nakia Bohannon broke into a home in the 2000 block of Rile on Thursday, May 22, 2008. Investigators say the homeowner confronted Bohannon and shot him; Bohannon ran from the home, but was quickly picked up by police nearby. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Police believe Bohannon is also responsible for a burglary at a home in the 200 block of First Avenue. Police say WIC voucher checks, shoes, food, and hygiene products were taken from the house.

Bohannon was also charged with possession of burglary tools and drug paraphernalia.

Labels: home invasion, TN

Mount Vernon man shoots and kills would-be burglar

A Mount Vernon man shot and killed a would-be burglar when two men allegedly broke into his 517 Old State Road home about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Madisonville Detective Jennifer Bledsoe said.

Mark Fryer called 911 to say he had shot a burglar. When Monroe County sheriff's deputies arrived, they found 19-year-old Bristin Self dead from a 9 mm gunshot wound, according to Detective Travis Jones, who investigated the shooting.

Jones said Self was unarmed.

Bledsoe said Self and another man apparently borrowed a van from a friend and loaded a washer into the van before going back into the Fryer home.

Fryer gave authorities a description of a second alleged burglar, and officers began canvassing the area with a police dog.

They captured James Cheek, 31, who was charged with aggravated burglary. Bledsoe said Cheek admitted being involved in the burglary.

Fryer has been interviewed by Monroe County detectives and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent David Guy, and interviews of others connected with the case were ongoing Thursday night.

Bledsoe said any evidence and information gathered will be turned over to the district attorney's office.

Records indicate that, in 2005, Fryer held at bay with a pistol two men who were burglarizing his home.

Bledsoe said Fryer also filed a burglary report May 21 concerning items taken from the residence.

Labels: residence burglary, TN

Homeowner Shoots and Kills Intruder

A weekend home invasion has the TBI investigating the dramatic chain of events that led to the shooting of a would-be burglar.

The incident happened in the Hamptons Crossroads area in White County.

Police said would-be burglar, 32-year-old Brian Cook from Crossville, was interrupted by the homeowner.

The homeowner said he received a phone call from his daughter about a strange man in the neighborhood banging on windows.

The homeowner returned to find Cook coming out of his house. When the homeowner confronted Cook, the intruder reached for his gun, but the homeowner shot first - killing Cook.

The White County Sheriff said the homeowner did have a permit to carry a gun and was within his right to protect himself.

No word yet on whether charges will be filed.

Crossville man killed during burglary

A Crossville man was shot and killed by a homeowner last Thursday morning during an apparent burglary, The Expositor newspaper reported.

According to White County Sheriff Oddie Shoupe, Bryan Keith Cook, 32, of Crossville, was leaving from a home he had reportedly broken into when he came into contact with the homeowner, Keith Girdley, on the front porch.

The shooting occurred around 9:59 a.m. May 15.

"The guy was on the front porch coming out of the house with some stolen stuff, and Mr. Girdley was on the bottom step," said Shoupe.

The sheriff said Cook asked Girdley, “Can I help you?” and Girdley told him, "this is my house."

When confronted about what he was doing, Cook allegedly pulled a weapon from the back waistband of his pants. Girdley, who was legally armed with a Beretta 9mm handgun, reportedly told Cook several times, "Don’t do it."

According to Shoupe, when the homeowner saw the gun he fired, striking Cook multiple times.

The weapon Cook reportedly had possession of was a 38-caliber pistol, which had allegedly been stolen from the residence. Shoupe said Cook did not fire the stolen weapon, but it was loaded. Reportedly, Girdley fired approximately seven rounds toward the victim.

The TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) was called in to assist in the investigation.

Chief White County Deputy Tommy Simmons, detectives Chris Isom, John Ford and Ruben Hormilla, as well as Sgt. David Ward and Blaylock, gathered evidence and processed the scene. TBI agents on the scene were identified as Billy Miller and Dan Friel.

Shoupe said Cook had already piled several items on a chair near the front door when he was confronted by Girdley. Reportedly, Cook had also attempted to break into a neighbor’s house a short time before the shooting.

"There were actually two crime scenes we investigated," said Shoupe. "One was the attempted burglary, and the other was the burglary and shooting location."

Evidence gathered from Cook’s vehicle included a loaded pistol, an unloaded shotgun and several additional items that were reportedly stolen.

Shoupe said officers also found drugs, including marijuana and two spoons with drug residue, possibly meth or coke, and a sleeping bag in the truck.

Cook reportedly had several prior convictions of burglary and aggravated burglary in Cumberland County and he was under investigation in several other counties for burglary, said Shoupe.

Shoupe said at this time, no charges are pending against Girdley.

"He had a permit and was on his own property," said Shoupe. "He is an upstanding citizen of White County, and this has been very hard on him."

Labels: concealed carry permit, home invasion, residence burglary, TN

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

Memphis Police say a man caught stealing from a car was shot by the owner of the vehicle and held at gunpoint until police arrived.

Police say the incident happened around 3:00 a.m., Friday, May 9, 2008, on Parakeet Drive in the Westwood area of Memphis.

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

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

Investigators say the man then walked the accused burglar to the front porch of the house and held him there at gunpoint until police and an ambulance arrived.

The accused burglar was taken to the Med in non-critical condition.

Police say the SUV owner will not be charged.

Labels: street property theft, TN

Would-be robber shot and killed in liquor store

A would-be robber at an Inglewood liquor store was shot and killed Saturday night after a customer opened fire, Metro police said.

Two men entered Sinkers Wine & Spirits on Gallatin Pike around 10 p.m. and attempted to rob the store with handguns, Capt. David Imhof said. During the robbery, a customer took out a handgun of his own and began a shootout, Imhof said.

One of the robbery suspects ran away, but the other collapsed outside the store, Imhof said. He was taken to Skyline Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The remaining suspect was still on the loose Sunday night, police said.

The customer who fired on the robbery suspects had a permit to carry a weapon, Imhof said.

"A citizen, like a police officer, has the right to utilize deadly force if there is a threat of serious bodily injury or harm," Imhof said.

The customer, described as in his early 20s, was interviewed and released by police. He has not been charged.

The case is under investigation, Imhof said.

Labels: business robbery, concealed carry permit, TN

One person was shot today during an alleged kidnapping and robbery which unfolded at an Oak Street address. The victim of the kidnapping and robbery was apparently the person who struggled with one of the alleged offenders and caused a gun to go off.

Police were called to 383 Oak St. SW after being alerted of the incident.

Luis Velasquez was found bleeding from his head and face, according to reports. Josh Dunn, 20, has been charged with especially aggravated kidnapping and especially aggravated robbery.

A second suspect has not been charged; however, warrants are pending against Josh Snyder, 19.

Snyder was reportedly shot when Velasquez began to try to wrestle the gun away from Snyder.

According to reports, the suspects went to Velasquez' door and asked him to help them jump start a vehicle.

One of the suspects pulled a gun, then forced Velasquez back into his home.

At that point, Dunn and Snyder allegedly demanded money from Velasquez.

Reports indicated the suspects began to beat Velasquez after he stated he had only a small amount of cash.

During the alleged beating, Snyder apparently cut his hand and had placed the gun under his arm while attempting to clean blood from his hand.

Velasquez then went for the gun and it discharged, according to reports.

Labels: criminal's gun taken away and used against him, residence robbery, TN

Man acted in self defense in fatal Lexington shooting, police preliminary report says

Lexington police have released the man they had held for questioning in connection with Saturday's fatal shooting at the BP Major Market parking lot.

The man had been held since Saturday night.

Police said the preliminary investigation shows that the man acted in self defense in the shooting that killed 32-year-old Tommy Ray Dill, Jr.

Labels: altercation, TN

Homeowner Kills Intruder During Hickory Hill Home Invasion

A car thief and home invasion robber is dead after a shootout with a homeowner in Hickory Hill.

Memphis police are investigating the homicide in the 3700 block of Hyacinth, near Winchester and Mendenhall.

Investigators say a man who had been breaking into cars on Hyacinth forced his way into a home around 2:30 a.m. Friday, March 28, 2008.

Once inside, the crook got into a gunfight with the homeowner. The intruder was killed and the homeowner was rushed to The Med with a gun shot wound. He is in non-critical condition and preparing to give police a statement.

Police did not know what motive the car thief had for breaking into the home.

The area has been a hot spot for car and home burglaries lately and officers have been focusing on the problem as part of the Blue Crush crime initiative, according to police.

Labels: defender shot, home invasion, TN

Man Shoots, Wounds Home Intruder

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

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

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

The man said he parked in the back yard and saw the intruders come running out the back of his house with guns drawn, so he grabbed his gun, and the two sides exchanged shots.

“They fired shots at the citizen, and the citizen returned fire at the suspects. One of the suspects is struck and flees on foot,” said Metro police Capt. Randy Hickerson.

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

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

Labels: home invasion, TN

Clerk Defends Self Against Would-Be Burglars

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

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

The incident was recorded by the store's surveillance system.

After the men smashed a large rock through a window, a cook picked up a gun and started shooting.

The men thought no one was inside the business.

"I was scared, but I think anger took over," said Donna Blanks.

Blanks is a cook and arrives early to prepare meals for customers.

She said she started to shout and shoot.

"I scared them like they scared me. No quite as much. They got gone," she said.

No one was hurt.

Sheriff's deputies told the woman she acted within her rights to shoot at the suspects as long as she was inside the store.

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

Labels: business burglary, TN

Police identify teenager slain in home-invasion shootout

Authorities this morning said a 16-year-old Knoxville boy was killed during a weekend home break-in that prompted a gun battle inside the residence.

Jamodd Mack died in the 2:24 a.m. Saturday break-in at 1304 Iredell Ave., said Knoxville Police Department spokesman Darrell DeBusk.

Mack and another person allegedly forced their way into the home through a back door, DeBusk said. Inside the home, Mack, who was armed with a handgun, was fired upon by a man who was visiting the woman who lives in the house, DeBusk.

After the gun battle between the two people armed with handguns, Mack died in the house of multiple bullet wounds, DeBusk said. No one else in the home was injured during the gunfight, he said.

The second male fled and has not been identified, DeBusk said.

No charges have been filed in connection with the slaying. DeBusk said police planned to take their probe to the Knox County District Attorney General's office for a decision on bringing any charges.

Labels: home invasion, minor offender, TN

An armed security guard at the AutoZone Store at 1363 Getwell shot a man attempting to rob the store tonight, Memphis police said.

The robbery suspect came into the store at 7:30 p.m., police said. He was taken in critical condition to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis.

Labels: business robbery, private security, TN

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

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

According to Dist. Atty. Gen. Mike Dunavant, David Fleming charged into the home of two women at about 3 a.m.

Fleming bound the women but one escaped and ran to a nearby home. Dunavant said Fleming, who lived in Munford, intended to rape the women.

The woman who escaped went to the nearby home of Keith Ingram for help, Dunavant said.

Ingram, carrying a .40-caliber handgun, ran to the house and found Fleming attacking the other woman, officials said.

When Fleming tried to attack Ingram, Dunavant said Ingram shot Fleming once.

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

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

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

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

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

Labels: concealed carry permit, rape, TN

Two Accused Burglars Shot; One Dead

Memphis Police say two burglars were shot in two separate robbery attempts and one of the crooks is dead.

The first robbery attempt happened on East Peebles in South Memphis just before Midnight, Wednesday, January 23, 2008. Investigators say two burglars rammed a car through the Hall Feed and Supply Store. The business owner was in the store at the time and shot one of the crooks, police say.

According to investigators, the wounded robber checked himself into the hospital and is in critical condition at the Med. Police say the other crook may have gotten away.

...

No charges have been filed against [the man]. Police say they will turn the evidence over to the Attorney General and he will decide if charges should be filed. Investigators say that usually there are no charges filed and they are taken on a case by case basis.

Labels: business robbery, TN

Homeowner Shoots and Kills Burglar

A burglar, caught redhanded breaking into man's garage, was shot and killed Thursday, January 24, 2008.

The incident happened around 2:00 a.m. in the 800 block of Avalon, near Henry Street. Police say the homeowner heard a noise in his garage, and when he confronted the intruder, the man tried to attack. Police say the burglar went after the homeowner with a weedwacker, and the homeowner shot him.

Neighbors in the area say they have no sympathy for the burglar.

"You don't go around stealing and robbing from people that have worked hard for their belongings. You just don't do it," said Marilynn Bridgeforth, a neighbor of the homeowner.

Bridgeforth says she is not surprised to hear about the intrusion. She says she was robbed in her driveway in December.

"I was held at gunpoint in my driveway and my house has been broken into twice."

Police say at this point, the homeowner is not facing any charges because it appears he shot the burglar in self defense. Eyewitness News Everywhere tried to talk to the homeowner, but he did not want to talk about the incident.

Eyewitness News Everywhere crimetracked the area around the 800 block of Avalon and found there have been 18 home burglaries reported to police in the past month. There have also been 55 assaults, 24 car burglaries, and 12 robberies in that 38107 zip code.

Further links:
Citizens Shoot Back When Confronted by Robbers

Labels: home invasion, residence burglary, TN

Home Invasions Keep Police Busy Overnight

Home invasions plagued North and South Nashville homes overnight.

The first home invasion happened at a home off McKinnie Avenue where police said four men entered through the opened front door and ransacked the house.

The victim was able to grab his hand gun and fire several shots before the suspects fled.

Police thought some of the men drove off in a car, while others may have made their getaway on foot.

A K-9 unit on the scene did pick up a scent but was not able to track the suspects.

The victim was not able to give police a good description of any of the suspects.

Labels: home invasion, TN

A shooting at a South Memphis nightclub has been ruled justified. Officers were called to the J.T. Lounge around 2:00 a.m. Thursday, where they found 51 year old Robert Thomas suffering from a fatal gunshot wound..

Investigators say the club owner and Thomas had been involved in an altercation which continued after the club closed.

Based on the information, the District Attorney General’s office has ruled the shooting as justifiable homicide pending the final autopsy and crime lab reports.

Labels: altercation, TN

Charges unlikely after shooting of would-be robber

Jackson police and the district attorney general say at this time they do not expect to charge a Jackson woman who fatally shot a man after he tried to rob her boyfriend inside her home last week.

Justin Cheatham, 24, was shot multiple times by Jennifer Owens around 8 p.m. Wednesday at 51 B Leland Lane, according to a police press release.

Police have said Cheatham and two other men - Antonio Long and Christopher Smith - went to the duplex to buy marijuana from Kenneth Bond. Bond is Owen's boyfriend and also lives at the residence.
According to an account of the incident in an affidavit of complaint, Bond left the three men in the living room and went into the kitchen. He then heard a voice behind him say, "You might as well drop it off."

"He turned around to find Cheatham armed with a handgun," the affidavit states. "Bond grabbed at the gun and a struggle ensued. At that point, Antonio Long came into the kitchen and pointed a long gun at Bond."

Bond told the two men they could take whatever they wanted, but he refused to release the hold he had on Cheatham's gun, "out of fear of being shot," the affidavit states.

Owens heard the struggle from her bedroom and went into the kitchen to find out what was happening. Long momentarily diverted his attention away from Bond and pointed his gun at Owens, telling her to move over to where Bond and Cheatham were, the affidavit states.

Owens told then told Cheatham and Long that her 5-year-old child was in the residence and that they needed to leave.

Police said that another struggle occurred and Owens grabbed a handgun and fired, striking Cheatham several times.

Cheatham collapsed outside the home and was pronounced dead at the scene. Long and Smith also ran out of the home, police have said.

Long, 22, was arrested and has been arraigned on charges of attempted aggravated robbery and aggravated assault. He remains in jail on a $100,000 bond and is also being held on parole violation. He is scheduled to appear in court next at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 17.

Owens and Bond are not facing any charges. Smith, who police have said was in another room when the attempted robbery took place, also has not been charged.

Lt. Mike Holt of the Jackson Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit said Tuesday that it appears that Owens shot Cheatham as he was leaving and just outside the house, in the area around the front door.

"At this time we do not anticipate filing any additional charges with respect to Ms. Jennifer Owens in this case," he said.

Holt said that police met with District Attorney General Jerry Woodall and explained the circumstances of the case as they relate to Owens, "as we now know them."

"He did not feel that it would be appropriate to charge her based with the information we have at this point and we don't disagree with him," Holt said. "Any additional charges in this case will be made at the grand jury after completion of the investigation when all of the facts can be presented in their entirety to the District Attorney's Office for review."

Labels: residence robbery, TN

Sullivan County homeowner holds burglar at gunpoint

According to a press release from the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, a resident of Ambrosia Drive was awakened about 4 a.m. Tuesday by his dog's barking.

When the homeowner went to investigate, armed with a gun, he found a man going through items in his utility room. He held the burglar at gunpoint until officers arrived.

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

Labels: residence burglary, TN

Police are looking for two men and a woman they believe are responsible for 5 burglaries in Antioch. Police were close to capturing the three after they burglarized a house, and the burglars were scared off from another house after the homeowner shot at them.

"I heard a big bam, a big pow, and I opened the blinds and saw the van plow through the fence," said Kris Kopp.

Labels: residence burglary, TN

Man Shoots And Kills Burglary Suspect

"It's so bad around here and i'm just afraid for my safety," says one woman we spoke to as she stepped outside of her apartment and saw crime scene investigators. Police were combing her neighbor's apartment following an alleged burglary attempt that ended in gunfire. Rhonda, who didn't want to give us her last name or show her face on camera, says crime at the Camelot Apartments has driven her to leave.

"I was already in the process of making preparations to move, but this has done it. This has given me the right to make the decision to just leave here," Rhonda says. A little before 5:00 this morning, a woman returned home and caught who she thought to be a burglar in the act.

Lt. Tony Armstrong, a homicide detective with the Memphis Police Department, says, "The victim called her boyfriend. Her boyfriend came over and investigated, found him inside the house and shot him multiple times."

Medics took the suspect to the hospital where he later died. Police spent several hours later combing the apartment for more evidence. We're told the man who shot the suspect did have a state gun carry permit. It's likely the man who shot the intruder will not face any charges. Neighbors like Rhonda agree with that decision.

"People work too hard to make a living for someone to just come in and take things, your personal items or to invade your apartment like that. I think it was justifiable," she adds

Southeast Memphis Shooting: Woman Charged

On Sunday, December 30, 2007, we have new information on a deadly shooting at the Camelot Manor apartments in Southeast Memphis.

Memphis police have charged a woman who lived at the apartment in connection with the shooting.

22 year-old Asa Marmon was shot and killed in Antionita Clay's apartment by her boyfriend after she told her boyfriend Marmon was a burglar.

Memphis police say Antionita Clay knew it was Marmon inside her apartment before she called her boyfriend and police about a burglar.

Police say that Clay and Marmon had a prior relationship and she wanted to end it.

Clay is charged with false reporting and reckless homicide.

Labels: concealed carry permit, residence burglary, TN

Man shoots and kills fleeing burglar

A Powell man coming to his grandson's rescue shot and killed a fleeing burglar Saturday, authorities said.

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

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

Coffey didn't have a weapon at the time, she said.

Coffey showed up at the house just after noon while Smith's 14-year-old grandson was there alone, Dooley said.

"A man came to the door he didn't know," she said. "He called his mother, who told him to hide in the closet."

Coffey kicked in two doors and made his way inside, Dooley said. The boy called 911 from the closet. Meanwhile, his mother called Smith, her father. Smith, who lives nearby, headed to the house and confronted Coffey inside, Dooley said.

Coffey ran out just as the boy's grandmother stepped out of her car, Dooley said.

"Smith told the man to stop or he'd shoot," Dooley said.

She said she didn't know how far away Coffey was when Smith fired.

The boy and his grandmother weren't hurt, Dooley said. Their names weren't available Saturday night, and Smith couldn't be reached.

Further links:
Knox Co. man kills intruder at daughter’s home

Labels: concealed carry permit, home invasion, residence robbery, TN

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

According to investigators, a man and woman busted into the store in the 2000 block of North Chelsea armed with guns and robbed the place.

Store surveillance video obtained by Eyewitness News Everywhere shows the robbers wearing masks or bandannas to cover their faces as they point the guns at an unarmed clerk behind the counter.

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

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

Labels: business robbery, TN

Store Video Shows Bold Robbers In Action

A violent robbery caught on tape. Cops say the bad guys were bold and were ready to shoot and kill to get what they wanted. But a store worker was able to turn the tables on the thugs. And the clerks were saved by sheer luck.

It happened at the Fast Check Convenience Store off Winchester Thursday around 9:30pm. Two robbers busted in, one got away with cash, the other took a few bullets after one clerk chased the robbers out of his store.

"One of the victims inside the store heard click click," says Lt. Darren Goods with the Memphis Police Department.

The click was the gun... jamming. Both clerks know are lucky to be alive. It lasted just a few seconds -- a few seconds that could have ended someone's life.

Lt. Goods calls them robbers with a sinister motive, "Their purpose was to take-over style robbery. Lets take any and everything we can, lets get as much money as we can. Both armed with guns. And lets get out of here as fast as we can."

What's worse say police, several customers - including young teenagers - were inside the whole time. One lady walked into the middle of it.

Police say somebody has to know these brazen robbers. The one robber hasn't been charged yet. He's still critical but stable at The MED.

Labels: business robbery, TN

Memphis Police: Store Owner Shoots Accused Crook

Wednesday evening, November 21, 2007, a convenience store robbery in Southeast Memphis ended in a shooting. Police say the shooting victim had just tried to rob a clerk at the store.

It happened just after 9 p.m. at the "Fast Check" on Winchester near Knight. That's just east of the airport.

Police say when two crooks tried to rob a clerk at the store, the store owner shot one of the robbers. They say the other robber is on the run.

The shooting victim was taken to The Med in critical condition.

Labels: business robbery, TN

Robbery suspect shot, killed at car wash

A robbery suspect was shot and killed in South Memphis tonight.

According to Memphis police, multiple suspects attempted to rob the After Hours car wash at 770 Polk near Crump just before 7 p.m.

A person inside the store had a gun. He fired, hitting one of the suspects and killing him, police said.

Police were still investigating the incident late tonight, and were uncertain if any charges would be filed against the shooter.

The victim’s identity had not been established.

Labels: business robbery, TN

Knox Co. homeowner fights back, shoots would-be burglar

A homeowner in south Knox County stopped a home invasion robbery by shooting a would-be burglar.

Deputies with the Knox County Sheriff's Office say just before midnight Sunday, a pair of men kicked in the door of an elderly couple's home on Chestnut Street.

The homeowner opened fire, wounding one of the robbers. The pair then fled without taking anything from the home.

The wounded suspect turned up a few minutes later outside UT Medical Center. The other suspect apparently dropped off their partner and then fled.

Deputies are still searching for the second suspect. The sheriff's office has yet to release a description of that suspect.

It isn't clear if the homeowner was injured in the incident.

Labels: home invasion, residence robbery, TN

Tennessee Man Shot By Two Women

A deadly shooting in Camden, Tennessee on Thursday.

29-year-old Jason Robinson of Holladay suffered a shotgun wound to the chest and died about an hour after being shot yesterday afternoon.

The police chief says an argument started when Robinson told his girlfriend Sonja Moore that he had an affair with her friend Benita Murphy.

All three were at Moore's home at the time. The women told police Robinson was beating them. Officers say both women show signs of abuse.

The women said Murphy got the shotgun to defend herself and shot Robinson when he kept attacking them. No charges have been filed at this point.

Self-defense possible factor in fatal shooting

Self-defense may have been a contributing factor in the shooting death of a Holladay resident, Jason D. Robinson, 29, Thursday afternoon. The shooter, Benita G. Murphy, 21, was taken into custody on the scene, but was later released pending the District Attorney’s decision on whether or not to file charges.

“All of the evidence gathered at the scene has been sent to the crime lab or turned over to the D.A.,” said Camden Police Chief George Smith. “It is up to them whether or not we charge her.”

According to District Attorney Hansel McCadams, his office will likely meet with TBI agents next week to make the decision. If charges are filed, the case will most likely go to the grand jury.

Benton County Central Dispatch received the call at approximately 2 p.m. Thursday that there was a woman standing in the front yard of 312 Wren Avenue, a residence well known to local law enforcement for domestic situations, holding a gun, which had been fired, and that a man was lying on the ground.

Upon arriving on the scene, officers from the Camden Police Department and Benton County Sheriff’s Department discovered Robinson laying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the chest, but still alive. He was transported to the Camden Elk’s Lodge to be airlifted, but passed away before take off. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was called to the scene

According to Chief Smith, Murphy was still on the scene when officers arrived, along with Robinson’s girlfriend Sonya Moore, who lived at the residence and witnessed the shooting. The 12-gauge shotgun used in the shooting was laying on the ground in the front yard.

Smith said that Murphy surrendered peacefully to the officers and cooperated with the investigation. Both women told investigators that Robinson had been beating up on both of them, prompting Murphy to grab the gun and fire. Smith confirmed that both women did show signs of abuse.

“This case is still under investigation by both the TBI and the Camden Police Department,” said Smith.

Labels: domestic abuse, female, TN

Memphis police early today were waiting for a suspect to be released from the hospital so they could charge him in a string of events in East Memphis that involved a crash, an attempted break-in, a shooting and smashed windows.

At about 3:30 the suspect crashed his vehicle into a pole on the 6500 block of Poplar Pike, then went to the nearby residence of an elderly couple.

He started banging on the door, demanding to be let in. When the 83-year-old man inside refused, the suspect kicked in a window.

The elderly man fired a shot at the suspect, which set him off running, police said. He was not struck.

Labels: home invasion, TN

Nearly Nude Man Shoots Carjacking Suspect

With no time to think, not even enough time to grab clothes, a son took-off after his mother's alleged carjacker and shot him. Police say the carjacking started in Olive Branch in the 9100 block of Hickory Drive around 1:30 Monday afternoon. It ended in Memphis at Riverdale and Stateline Road, that's where the victim's son shot the suspect. Now, he's recovering at the Med.

The carjacking suspect is under a watchful eye at the Med. He's officially in Shelby County's custody. He's in critical but stable condition after he was shot twice by a man who didn't think twice about protecting his mother.

Keith Gray stood inside crime scene tape on Stateline Road. His first request after chasing down and shooting his mother's alleged carjacker was for some clothes.

"We got a call from my brother requesting some shoes because he ran out," said Lance Gray. "I think the only thing he had on was some underwear."

Lance Gray said his brother acted on instinct when he heard their 71-year-old mother scream.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office said Bobbie Gray was unloading groceries in her Olive Branch driveway when 18-year-old David Andre Bates put a shotgun to her head and demanded the keys to her 2004 Mercury Marquis.

"My brother was on the couch, heard the commotion and went and got his gun and chased him down," said Lance.

The chase was about three miles down Stateline Road and into Shelby County. Keith Gray was in his 2002 Nissan Maxima with his pistol. In his mother's car, officers say Bates was armed with a shotgun.

"That's when the son fired several times at the suspect's vehicle," said Steve Shular, of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.

Bates was hit in the left hip. Officers say he ran, leaving the Mercury Marquis, and eventually fell to the ground.

"The suspect kept getting up," said Shular. That's when the son fired one time, hitting the suspect in the leg."

Officers say Bates wasn't holding his weapon when he was shot. But Lance Gray doesn't question his brother's quick reaction which didn't even leave him time to put on clothes.

"He was legally okay to carry the gun and things like that and he was protecting my mother as anyone else would in the same circumstance," he said.

Olive Branch officers say Bates will be charged with aggravated carjacking. As for Keith Gray, Shelby County deputies don't know what, if any, charges he will face. His mother is at home and doing well.

Labels: carjacking, TN

Man Shoots Burglar; Then Taken Into Custody

Police say a man shot a burglar trying to break into his house.

This shooting happened in the 1400 block of Stevenson in South Memphis around 11:00 p.m. Thursday night, October 25.

The accused burglar was hit with buck-shot. He's at The Med in critical condition.

We are told that the homeowner was taken into custody, Not because of this shooting, but because of an outstanding warrant.

Labels: residence burglary, TN

Sevier officers arrest two men after attempted home invasion

Sevier County sheriff’s officers charged two men who allegedly impersonated police officers and wore camouflage clothing during a home invasion attempt that prompted a gun battle with a homeowner, according to authorities.

Robert Joel Hawkins, 21, and Isaiah Ray Kemp, 22, both of Sevierville, were charged with attempted aggravated burglary, aggravated assault and six counts each of reckless endangerment, according to a release from Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals.

The pair are accused of attempting to enter the home at 429 King Branch Road. Authorities were alerted at 11:13 p.m. Tuesday of the incident, Seals said in the release.

The homeowner told officers that two men dressed in camouflage clothing with stockings over their faces knocked on the door and claimed to be police officers. When the men couldn’t provide police identification, the homeowner refused to open the door, Seals said in the release.

The two intruders then displayed a handgun and an AR-15 rifle and pointed the weapons at people in the home, Seals said. The homeowner got his own weapon, and the two men ran. The homeowner fired at the fleeing men, and they returned fire before leaving in a dark-colored truck, Seals said in the release. No one was injured during the gunfight.

Sevier County deputies stopped a truck on Upper Middle Creek Road as it was leaving the area and found camouflage clothing, an AR-15 rifle, a handgun and a bullet-resistant vest in the vehicle, Seals said. Seals said the investigation is continuing.

Labels: home invasion, TN

Man Fights Off Home Invaders

An Eastview Drive man fought off three home invaders and traded shots with one of them on Tuesday night.

Police said 30-year-old Courtney Brown was treated for several injuries, including a shot to the calf.

Around 9:30 p.m., Chattanooga Police responded to a home invasion call with shots fired at 311 Eastview Dr.

Upon arrival, officers talked with the victim, who said he was returning home and was backing his vehicle into the garage when three black males came out of the closet and attempted to rob him.

Mr. Brown said he fought the three suspects and yelled for his daughter to call the police. One of the suspects got into the house and went upstairs to where the daughter had locked herself in the bedroom. The suspect then kicked the door in and demanded she lie on the bed and she would not be hurt. He then took her cell phone.

Mr. Brown continued to fight with the other two suspects and was able to get away from them. He managed to lock the door behind him.

Mr. Brown then encountered the suspect who was inside the house and they fought in the hallway. Mr. Brown broke free, retrieved a handgun from his bedroom and started back to the front door area. The man who was still inside then fired a shot at Mr. Brown, striking him in the calf. Mr. Brown returned fire but did not hit the suspect.

All three of the suspects fled on foot.

Mr. Brown was taken to Erlanger where he was treated for several cuts to his head and face and the gunshot wound to his calf. He was treated and released.

Chattanooga Police are looking for suspect #1 who is tall and thin wearing a dark-hooded sweatshirt and dark pants. Suspects 2 and 3 were medium build with scarves over their faces and knit caps on their heads.

All three of the suspects were armed with chrome handguns.

Labels: defender shot, home invasion, TN

New Information: Bartlett Man Shot & Killed In Home

Eyewitness News Everywhere uncovers new information about a Bartlett man shot and killed in his home Friday, October 12, 2007. Police say either Allen Lovell’s son or wife pulled the trigger. They also say the family has a history of domestic disturbances at their Scepter Cove house.

Bartlett police say Lovell’s wife, Bobbie called them at 11:57 a.m. Friday to report that she and her son Cody were being held hostage by her husband. Police say dispatchers called back a few minutes later and were told Allen Lovell had been shot in the chest. Lovell was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bobbie and Cody Lovell were taken to the Bartlett Police Department. They were questioned for several hours. As of 8:20 p.m. Friday night, police say they do not know who fired the shot that killed Allen Lovell. They say prosecutors will determine if any charges will be filed on Monday, October 15th.

Eyewitness News Everywhere has learned this incident is far from the first time police have been called to the Lovell home. On April 28th, 2006, police charged Allen Lovell with domestic assault for beating up his son. The police report says Cody Lovell told police he "reached under the bed and pulled a silver colt . . . revolver. Cody then stated he pulled the trigger in self defense.” No was hurt during that incident.

On March 1st of this year, Allen Lovell was charged with aggravated assault. Police say Lovell threatened them with a gun, and then ran off. Police they had gone to Lovell’s home to check up on him after a friend told police Lovell was suicidal.

Lovell’s neighbor Rachel Edwards says he was a good neighbor. She says, “He was great. I liked him. He was just a good ol' boy.” But she also says she saw Lovell arguing with his family in their front yard several times. She says, “I knew they had problems, but not that drastic, not that bad.”

Allen Lovell was a boxing referee. He has been a referee for several fights at the New Daisy Theater for “Boxing on Beale.”

Charges against Bartlett wife dropped in shooting of husband

Criminal charges against a Bartlett woman who fatally shot her husband last month were dropped today after a review of the case pointed to self defense.

Dorothy ‘Bobbi’ Lovell, 42, was charged with voluntary manslaughter after shooting her husband, Alan Lovell, 46, with a .357-caliber Magnum on Oct. 12. He was a ticket agent and well-known boxing referee.

She and her 21-year-old son, Kody, told police Lovell had held them hostage for nine hours in their home at 6954 Scepter Cove. They said Lovell had acted irrationally and had pointed a gun at them several times and would not let them leave.

Bartlett police said they had been called to the home several times in the past on complaints of Lovell’s aggressive behavior.

Asst. Dist. Atty. Gen. Thomas Henderson said late today that after reviewing the police investigation of the shooting the evidence did not support a manslaughter charge and appeared to be self defense. The case was dismissed in Bartlett City Court.

Labels: domestic dispute, TN

Gunfire Kills East Nashville Store Owner

The owner of a convenience store in east Nashville was shot and killed at her store on Cahal Avenue Monday afternoon.

Customers found the body of 70-year-old Classie Wilson inside her store, Cahal Market, at about 1 p.m. Monday.

She had been shot in the chest.

Police believe Wilson and the suspect exchanged gunfire before she was fatally wounded.

Officers said the suspect came in, asking for to purchase [sic] a single pack of cigarettes when the altercation began.

Wilson and her husband owned and operated the Cahall Market for more than 20 years.

Her son, Ronald Wilson, spoke with News 2 Monday.

He said, “She lived by example. For 28, 30 years we’ve been at the store she’s helped people when they needed it… If they didn’t have enough money or couldn’t pay, she’d help them out.”

Police are searching for a suspect Monday night.

They believe he escaped on foot and may still be in the neighborhood.

Labels: business robbery, defender killed, TN

Frayser Home Invasion: Man Fights Back

A man fights back three robbers after being forced inside his Frayser home at gunpoint.

It happened just after 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at a home in the 700 block of Frayser Drive.

Family members say 31 year-old Kevin Hill was approached by a guy with a gun while getting out of his SUV after running some morning errands.

That's when two other guys came up and forced Hill inside his home and up into the attic to rob him.

Police say Hill struggled with his attackers and managed to take away one of their guns and fire.

Police say no one was hit but several shots were fired inside of the home.

The robbers ran from the home, jumped in Hill's SUV and sped off. Police later found the SUV after the trio crashed it on Syndey Street in North Memphis.

Officers were able to take all three robbers into custody.

The Robbery Division is investigating. So far no charges have been filed.

Labels: criminal's gun taken away and used against him, home invasion, residence robbery, TN

East Memphis homeowner shoots burglar

An East Memphis homeowner shot a burglar who had been prowling around his home Sunday morning, police said.

Memphis police responded to the call at 3:20 a.m. in the 1700 block of Danville near Perkins and Mallory.

The 24-year-old suspect was taken to The Regional Medical Center in critical condition.

Labels: TN, trespassing

Resident Fights Off Intruder

A LaVergne man pulled a gun on a would-be robber Wednesday night.

The incident happened at a home on Jean Drive, officials said.

According to police, the homeowner was lying on the couch when a man with a knife burst through the door.

Police are still searching for the intruder.

The 62-year-old victim, who asked to remain anonymous, suffers from emphysema.

The man said his fight to live became more desperate when a knife-wielding robber entered his home.

“After the initial shock wore off, I’m mad,” he said.

According to the man, the intruder walked into his house through his unlocked front door.

“His words were, ‘Money. Uh, I want your money,’” he said.

The father of two said he managed to pull a .380 semi-automatic pistol from underneath the sofa cushions.

"And I just reached back and grabbed the gun, and then I brought it up. He’s trying to get out the door and I fired,” he said.

He said the results might have been different if he hadn’t had a gun.

“He would have got what little I had, and I would have been at his mercy,” he said.

The man said he believes the intruder was waiting outside his house and had been watching him for a while to learn his routine.

Neighbors said the man is almost always propped up on the couch to breathe better with his door unlocked.

“This neighborhood has always been safe. I can never recall anything like this happening,” he said.

The man said the intruder wore a mask and spoke with an accent. He said it was too dark to be able to see well enough to give police a description.

Labels: residence robbery, TN

Two men shot during botched robbery

Police have cleared crime scene tape, but the investigation is far from over. Dried blood on a neighbor's front stoop is a reminder of the struggle that happened on Edith in south Memphis early Wednesday morning. Two people were shot during an apparent home invasion robbery. One victim was one of the men held at gunpoint. The other was the gunman.

"When someone pulls a gun on you demanding property, which is the definition of a robbery, anything can happen," say Lt. Joe Scott of the Memphis Police Department. Investigators tell us they responded to a call at 536 Edith around 2:30 Wednesday morning. Initial reports say a man knocked on the door asking to use a telephone. Someone inside answered the door and stepped away.

Lt. Scott says, "When the individual came back to the door, the suspect displayed a firearm. Another individual there began to struggle with the suspect and was shot." The man who answered the door managed to strip the gunman's weapon away and shot him. Both shooting victims were taken to the Med in critical condition.

Labels: criminal's gun taken away and used against him, residence robbery, TN

Victim and Suspect Show Up at The Med, Suspect Arrested

Memphis Police have arrested a man who showed up for treatment at the same emergency room as the man he's accused of shooting.

It happened Monday at the Regional Medical Center.

Police records show Samuel Anderson was shot several times by a man who came into his house and fired when Anderson tried to run. Anderson was hit in both thighs, his right calf and his right hand.

The report says the intruder ran when Anderson got to his bedroom, picked up a pistol and fired one shot. The report says the man broke out a window to escape, cutting himself.

At the hospital, Anderson recognized a man awaiting treatment, noting his crooked teeth. He told a nurse and police arrested 19-year-old Richard Terrell Blackburn.

After Blackburn was bandaged, police questioned him and say Blackburn admitted the shooting and told detectives where to find the gun, stashed in a lawn mower bag.

Labels: defender shot, home invasion, TN

Blount Co. Home Invasion Foiled

A suspect in a Blount County home invasion got a lot more than he bargained for Sunday night.

A man who lives on West Vinegar Valley Road in Friendsville says he was asleep when he heard someone trying to break into his home with a crowbar.

The man told officers he grabbed his rifle, and as the suspect entered the house, he saw the gun and took off, getting into a car with another man.

The homeowner says he fired three shots at the car, possibly hitting a tail-light.

The two men got away in a blue, 80's model Ford Escort.

Labels: home invasion, TN

Senior Citizen Fights Back Against Burglar

Eyewitness News Everywhere uncovers a 79 year-old man who took crime-fighting into his own hands.

Just after 4:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2007, a burglar tried to break into Arthur Thornton's home at 332 Essex in South Memphis. Thornton is legally blind and lives alone. The guy tried to get in through the front window. He even cut out the screen. But little did he know, Mr. Thornton was waiting for him behind the door with his rifle.

He said, “I'd do it again if it happened tonight, and I would hope I wouldn't miss. I would like to be around to tell the story like I am today, cause it's going to be me or you.”

Thornton said he was in bed when he heard a noise up in the front room, “I heard this zip, zip and I thought what kind of noise is that, but I found he was cutting the screen with a knife.”

Thornton grabbed his gun and got into position. He said, “I said he'll break through there and I'll hit him across the head with this rifle, and split his head. I have the evil spirit when somebody trying to do something to me.”

But the man never came through the window. Thornton said, “So I opened the wood door and peeped out. He was at the door, and I said get away from my window. When he started across the driveway I shot down towards his feet. When he got out to the sidewalk I shot again.”

He missed, but as you heard him say, Mr. Thornton has absolutely no regrets about pulling the trigger. He said at 4 am, there is no question, it's him or me.

He said, “If a person comes up to your house at 4 in the morning and attempt to come in a window, he's prepared to do whatever he has to do to cover up his dirt, so it's best that you take care of him before he take care of you. I don't think nobody's coming to pay a visit to you at 4 o'clock in the morning, nope, that's not a friendly visit.”

Police did respond to Thornton's house. Unfortunately, because of his poor vision, he wasn't able to get a very good look at the burglar.

Labels: residence robbery, TN

Pets Help Resident Fight Back Intruder

Police said a mother and her family pets fought back a gunman who tried to rob her at her south Nashville home.

The incident happened on Martin Street, just a few blocks from the state fairgrounds around 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Ronda Hill said she, her 2-year-old son and her mother were walking inside their house when a man jumped a fence, pointed a gun at them and demanded their belongings.

Hill said her dogs then went after the intruder.

"When they attacked him, he dropped the gun, and I picked it up, and I fired at him. He then took off running," said Hill.

She said she fired the gun two times and is not sure if any of the bullets struck the robber.

Police are still searching for the intruder.

Labels: criminal's gun taken away and used against him, home invasion, residence robbery, TN

Mid-South Convenience Store Owner Shoots Accused Robber

After two previous hold-ups 67 year-old Boonie Crawford decided enough is enough. Crawford went out and got a permit and bought a gun. On Sunday, July 15, 2007, that weapon came in handy. His store is KC's Market and Deli in the 4900 block of Austin Peay Highway just outside Raleigh.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office says Crawford used his new gun to shoot an armed robber. Police identified the guy as 24-year-old Aaron Thomas. Thomas was rushed to a local hospital with a gun wound

This is the third time this store has been robbed since last December 2006. The last time the store was robbed was on May 25, 2007.

Right now police are investigating if Aaron Thomas was involved in those robberies.

Labels: business robbery, TN

One Robber Killed, Another Is In The Hospital

Two men, who tried to rob a patio party, found themselves looking down the end of the apartment owner’s gun barrel.

According to witnesses, two men walked up and asked if they were having a party. The men then left and returned with guns and tried to rob the party.

Witnesses say the apartment owner then got his gun and told the robbers to put down their guns. When the robbers didn’t, the apartment owner shot both robbers. One robber was shot in the head and killed; the other is in critical condition at the MED with a gun shot wound.

Police say they are still investigating the shooting and no charges have been filed.

Party host who killed robber will not be prosecuted

The man who shot two robbers who showed up at his party – killing one of them – will not be prosecuted, police said Thursday.

The slain robber was identified as Terry Anthony, 22. A second would-be robber, who has not yet been identified, likely will face aggravated robbery charges once he is released from the Regional Medical Center at Memphis. He is in stable condition.

About 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Anthony and the second man approached several people at a party at 6530 Birchwood Lane in the Greenbrook Apartments off Macon in East Memphis.

Anthony pulled out a handgun and the two announced a robbery. The resident of the apartment was armed and shot both robbers, killing Anthony.

The two robbers crashed the party earlier, then left. When they returned, the resident of the apartment noticed at least one of them was wearing gloves, and got his pistol.

Thursday, the District Attorney General’s office said they will not seek charges against the shooter.

Labels: altercation, TN

Victim turns tables on burglar

50-year-old man wrestles gun from teen

Sheriff's Investigator Julie Webb wishes every home invasion could have such positive results.

"It worked out awesome," said Webb, the lead investigator on the case. It was a burglary where the occupants of a River Hills Drive residence awoke to find an armed burglar in their home, only to wrestle away his weapon, chase him from their home, and later identify him for the arrest.

"We had wonderful victims that handled themselves as well as you could ask for," she said.

At about 1 a.m., a male resident awoke at his usual time, but noticed that some things were out of place, Webb said.

"He said it took him a minute to register," she said, but he quickly found a masked man with a rifle in a bedroom.

The masked man, Craig Majors, 19, who gave a 211 Al Orta Drive address, pointed the rifle at him and "told him not to look at him, turn around, or he would kill him," Webb said.

Majors then demanded money, to which the victim responded that they use debit cards and don't keep money in the house. Majors decided to take the victim to a nearby ATM to withdraw his money.

Still holding the gun at the victim's back, Majors led him to the garage where he found some bungee cord to tie him up with. As he tied him up, Majors held the gun under his arm, which turned out to be a mistake.

"(The victim) said to me he realized that was his opportunity," Webb said. "He turned around and jumped on this man, and the fight was on."

The victim, who is in his 50's, yelled as he fought Majors, and his wife awoke to find them fighting in the garage.

She then struck the burglar in the side of the head.

The male victim was able to get an upper hand in the fight, Webb said, as the gun lay on the ground. Majors then got on top of the victim, but the victim was able to kick him off and down a staircase. He then picked up the gun and attempted to fire it, but it didn't fire, so he started swinging the gun at Majors who ran, Webb said.

The couple watched Majors sped away in a dark colored, four-door car, the same vehicle deputies found abandoned no more than a mile down the road, after it struck a tree.

(More)

Labels: criminal's gun taken away and used against him, residence robbery, TN

Man in hospital after failed robbery attempt

Store clerk fired gun at intruders with rifle

A robbery suspect found himself fighting for his life while another remained at-large Saturday night after a convenience store clerk fired at the men, Metro police
said.

A white New York Yankees cap lay on the sidewalk outside the door of Tienda La Paz, 819 Main Street, as police investigated the scene where two men had entered with a rifle about 7:15 p.m., Capt. Rich Foley said.

Upon seeing the men, the store clerk, whose name was not released, fired at them with a handgun, critically wounding one man in the upper body, Foley said.

The wounded man was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was in life-threatening condition as of 8:30 p.m., Foley said.

The accomplice fled the scene in a white car and had not been found at the time of the investigation.

"The law's pretty descriptive as to what people can do to defend themselves," said Foley, who added that the clerk's pregnant wife was in the store at the time of the attempted robbery.

Police did not have further details because of a language barrier with the store clerk.

The botched robbery was the second in two days in east Nashville.

On Friday, a man planning to rob Alvin's Garage at 901 Gallatin Avenue, was shot in the leg with his own gun after two employees wrestled with him.

Labels: business robbery, TN

Neighbor Botches Attempted Robbery

Monday morning police are looking for one of the teens involved in a botched robbery. Three teenagers plotted to rob a home of a 16-year-old peer and his mother.

According to police, one of the teenagers asked to stay the night with the victims, saying that he was having problems at home. The mother and her son agreed to let the young man spend the night.

Once invited into the home the teen left the front door unlocked, and in the middle of the night two other teens barged in with guns. They were armed with a shotgun and pistol.

While demanding money, the parent sneaked away to call the police, and she also called a neighbor. The neighbor, who had his own gun, came over and held the teenagers at gun point until police arrived.

The teen staying with the victims also had gun, but did not participate in robbery. Two of the teenagers are in custody as of Monday morning, but one got away.

Labels: home invasion, TN

New Information: MPD Officer Killed in Cordova Home Invasion

A 27 year-old Memphis police officer was killed Sunday, June 3, 2007, after he kicked open a door at the home of his former girlfriend, who is also a Memphis police officer.

Deputies were called to the 1200 block of Breezy Gate Drive in East Shelby County near Cordova just after 8 a.m. They found 27 year-old Jeremy Kyle shot to death near a downstairs bedroom.

The woman who lives at the house, 27 year-old Teresita Watson, told Sheriff's Detectives the intruder was her co-worker and former boyfriend. Watson says after Kyle kicked open the backdoor of her home, he walked to the bedroom and pointed a gun at her and another man who was with her, 22 year-old Justin Davis of Memphis.

There was an exchange of gunfire. Kyle was shot in the chest. He died at the scene. Watson was also shot. The bullet grazed her stomach area. She was treated and released from the Regional Medical Center. Davis was not hurt.

Watson's three young children, ages 3, 5 and 9 years-old, were upstairs in a bedroom. They were not hurt.

Sheriff's detectives say Davis admitted shooting Kyle when he aimed the gun at him and Watson. No charges have been filed against Davis.

Sheriff's Deputies had been called to the house before. On April 20, 2007, Watson and Kyle were involved in an argument. Investigators say it was settled without anyone being arrested. Also on December 31, 2006, deputies were called to the Breezy Gate Drive address when Kyle removed some belongings from the house. No one was arrested in that incident.

Both Kyle and Watson worked at the Old Allen Station. Kyle worked for Memphis police for 3 years. Watson worked for the department for 4 years.

Labels: domestic dispute, home invasion, TN

Unicoi shooting ruled justifiable

Unicoi County authorities have just ruled a Sunday shooting death as a justifiable homicide.

Early Sunday morning, Nathan Gouge, a homeowner on Dexter Gouge Road, shot and killed 39-year-old Clarence Hyder. Gouge told authorities that Hyder had pointed a gun at his head so he shot the man in self defense, Unicoi County Sheriff Kent Harris said.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation assisted in this investigation.

According to Hyder’s family, the man had served in Iraq with the Tennessee National Guard last year. He recently had returned to Tennessee.

Labels: assault, TN

Man says he shot teen at motel in self-defense

South Precinct detectives believe Anthony Poole, 19, who was killed early Thursday at the Super 8 Motel on Harding Place, was shot in self-defense.

The events began when Michael Darvin, 31, went to the Hamilton Inn on Briley Parkway at Interstate 40 late Wednesday and made a crack sale, according to police.

While he was at the Hamilton Inn, he was robbed by three men. He returned to the Super 8, where he was staying. Less than an hour later, Darvin saw the three robbers in the hallway, he told police.

The three men, at least two of them with guns, demanded that he allow them in his room. He pulled his own gun and shot two of them. He told police it was in self-defense.

Poole and Steven Newsome, 26, were wounded. The third man, Kenzo Quezergue, 18, wasn't injured.

Newsome drove to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with Poole and Quezergue in the car.

Poole died at the hospital. Newsome was treated and released. Newsome and Quezergue are being charged with aggravated robbery.

Darvin waited at the motel until police arrived and told officers he shot the men. No charges have been placed against him, but the investigation is continuing, police said.

Labels: residence robbery, TN

Kingsport senior citizen shoots sister-in-law's attacker during intersection fracas

A Monday evening shooting, though still under investigation by Kingsport Police, may have been in self-defense.

Shortly before 6:15 p.m. Lawrence Jennings, 46, of Virgil Avenue, blocked the intersection of Nassau Drive and Kingston Court, not allowing his ex-girlfriend to pass. According to a press release from police, Jennings' former girlfriend was a passenger in the car of Giles Eddie Ferguson, 69, who is her brother-in-law.

Jennings began to kick the door and beat the windows of Ferguson's vehicle. He was able to get inside and attack Ferguson, at which point the senior citizen shot Jennings in the abdomen, according to police.

Jennings then drove to Valero Market on East Stone Drive, where he told the clerk he had been shot. He was taken to Holston Valley Medical Center where he underwent surgery.

Det. David Cole said several witnesses observed Jennings stop Ferguson's car, as well as the shooting. He said the incident is still under investigation, and would not confirm Ferguson's actions as self-defense at this time.

Det. Cole added that they were waiting to see if Jennings' condition improved so they could talk to him again about the incident.

Police clear senior citizen in Kingsport shooting

After reviewing statements and the evidence from the scene, police say a senior citizen acted in self-defense when he shot a man during a fracas in a Kingsport intersection.

The incident began last Monday at about 6:15 p.m. According to Kingsport Police, Lawrence Jennings, 46, of Virgil Avenue, blocked the intersection of Nassau Drive and Kingston Court, not allowing his ex-girlfriend to pass. Police say Jennings' former girlfriend was a passenger in the car of Giles Eddie Ferguson, 69, who is her brother-in-law.

Having stopped Ferguson and his ex-girlfriend in the roadway, Jennings allegedly began kick and hitting the car. Police say Jennings cursed the two occupants before he opened the vehicle door and began hitting Ferguson in the face.

It was at this point that Ferguson apparently pulled out a gun -- which he had a valid permit to carry -- and shot Jennings in the abdomen. Jennings then drove to Valero Market on East Stone Drive, where he told the clerk he had been shot. He was taken to Holston Valley Medical Center where he underwent surgery.

Det. David Cole said several witnesses observed Jennings stop Ferguson's car, as well as the shooting. On Tuesday police announced Ferguson's actions were in self-defense while Jennings had charges placed agianst him.

Jennings is charged with auto burglary, for breaking into Ferguson’s vehicle with the intent of committing an assault, and vandalism for causing damage to the vehicle. Jennings bond was set at $6,000 with arraignment scheduled for Wednesday.

Contacted at his home Tuesday afternoon, Ferguson declined to elaborate on the incid