Oakland, California

From Oakland’s InsideBayArea.com of January 31, 2006

Prosecutor: Shooting was self- defense

Ex-con avoids murder charge; cops seek gunman in retaliatory attack that killed two, hurt three

An ex-convict will not be charged with murder for a Jan. 18 killing police believe sparked a retaliatory attack last week that left two people dead and three wounded, authorities said Monday.

Police said prosecutors have determined Derrick “Dirty D” Knockum, 39, acted in self-defense when he fatally shot Purnell Brewer, 26, of Berkeley in the 2000 block of East 26th Street.

Knockum was charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a gun and violating parole.

On Monday, witnesses to the shooting confirmed that both Knockum and Brewer, who were longtime friends, had guns, homicide Sgt. Ersie Joyner III said.

Joyner said Knockum “had a legitimate fear he might be shot” and defended himself.

The dispute started because Knockum was angry with Brewer over the way Brewer drove up to the East 26th Street site, an area where Brewer sold drugs, Joyner said.

Police believe that killing prompted a drive-by shooting about 8:40 p.m. Thursday in the 2700 block of 22nd Avenue near a recreation center, where Knockum occasionally hung out. Two people died, and three were wounded.

Killed was Knockum’s 19-year-old nephew, Willie Clay, and Knockum’s close friend, Willie Jason Williams, 31, both of Oakland.

Police said the gunman probably did not know that about the time he opened fire on the group, Knockum, who is on parole for robbery, was admitting his involvement in Brewer’s death to Joyner and Sgt. Brian Medeiros at police headquarters.

Buffalo, New York

From the Buffalo News of January 31, 2006

Employee’s gun taken during store robbery

Only an employee’s gun was taken at 11:45 p.m. Sunday during a robbery at a Genesee Street convenience store, police reported.

Ferry-Fillmore District police said a masked man jumped over the counter in the store at 2183 Genesee St. and ordered the employee to “give me that gun.”

During a brief struggle, the employee suffered a cut on his right elbow, plus bruising and swelling.

North Augusta, South Carolina

From the December 3, 2005 Augusta Chronicle:

A Pickens, S.C., man was fatally shot the driver of a Suzuki Sidekick on Saturday afternoon during a road-rage argument that resulted from a fender bender on West Martintown Road, according to law enforcement.

North Augusta Department of Public Safety Detective Tim Thornton said authorities aren’t sure whether Clarence Shehan, 51, will face criminal charges.

…

Police said the incident started when Mr. Sharrock rear-ended a trailer that Mr. Shehan was towing behind his Chevrolet Suburban in the 1100 block of West Martintown Road.

As Mr. Shehan stopped to assess the damage, Mr. Sharrock pulled up next to him and the two spoke, Detective Thornton said.

Mr. Sharrock then left the scene of the accident.

Following him, Mr. Shehan reached for his cell phone to report the incident, but before he could dial authorities, Mr. Sharrock stopped abruptly in the eastbound lane of West Martintown Road near Knobcone Drive, police said.

Mr. Sharrock got out and approached Mr. Shehan’s window, Detective Thornton said.

“The way I understand it, Mr. Shehan was never able to get out of his car,” he said.

Detective Thornton said Mr. Sharrock began choking Mr. Shehan, who took his .45-caliber pistol from his glove box and shot Mr. Sharrock, Detective Thornton said.

Mr. Shehan then dialed 911, he said.

“He pretty much said, ‘I’ve just shot somebody,’” the detective said.

Authorities found Mr. Sharrock lying face down on the road, Detective Thornton said. He did not have a weapon.

“It’s just unclear at this point whether Shehan acted in self-defense or otherwise,” Detective Thornton said. “We’re going to make sure we understand what happened to the best of our knowledge before we pursue any criminal charges.”

No subsequent news coverage.

Houston, Texas

From Houston’s ABC13.com of January 30, 2006

Homeowner fights back against fake officers

Three armed men posing as police officers tried to make their way into a home near Memorial Park but the homeowner fought back.

Police say that around 3am Monday, three men walked up to a home on Kiam near Arabelle and started banging on the front door claiming they were police officers. Someone in the home fired a shotgun at the men outside and then one of the men outside fired back.

The homeowner was hit in the shoulder. The three suspects took off.

Texas City, Texas

From the Galveston County Daily News of January 29, 2006

Homeowner shoots, kills intruder

A 26-year-old Texas City man was shot and killed late Friday night after he apparently mistook someone else’s home for his own.

Texas City police Sgt. Brian Goetchius said David Wayne Stewart was shot after he kicked in the door of a home in the 900 block of 26th Street North around 11:30 p.m. Friday.

Police said they believe Stewart, who was walking home after picking up some food at a nearby fast food restaurant, was intoxicated and was trying to get into the wrong house.

Stewart’s own home is just blocks away, police said.

Texas City police received a call from a woman saying her husband had just shot someone trying to break into their home. When police arrived, they found Stewart lying inside the front doorway.

Goetchius said the 74-year-old homeowner fired a single shot from a handgun.

While an investigation is ongoing, it is unlikely the homeowner will face any criminal charges.

“We believe it was a justified shooting,” said Goetchius.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

From the January 27, 2006 Chattanoogan:

A man who was being robbed at a motel on Airpark Drive got the gun away from the young robber and held it on him until police arrived early Friday morning.

Police said the man who was being robbed was shot in the hand during the struggle.

A 17-year-old black male was taken into custody.

Members of the Chattanooga Police Department’s Burglary/Robbery Division are investigating the incident that occurred a little before 6 a.m. on the parking lot of the Extended Stay Motel at 6240 Airpark Dr.

Police said the victim was loading his vehicle when he was approached by the suspect, with a handgun, and he was ordered to give up his money. The victim complied, but the suspect wasn’t satisfied with the amount of cash he had received and began to look through the victim’s pockets.

During his search of the victim a struggle ensued and the victim was shot in the hand. The struggle continued and the victim was able to knock the gun out of the suspect’s hand. The victim then retrieved the gun and held the suspect at gunpoint until officers arrived.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

From January 27, 2006 KOCO channel 5:

A shooting in northwest Oklahoma City on Friday that resulted in the death of one man was justified, according to initial reports from metro police.

Officers said that a man broke into a home at 3101 NW Grand Blvd., when the owner of the home awakened from a nap and shot him.

Police said it does not appear that the resident will face any charges. They said it appears the shooting falls under Oklahoma’s make-my-day laws, which allow residents to use lethal force on people breaking into their homes.

UPDATE: From January 30, 2006 KTEN channel 10:

Oklahoma City police have identified a man killed after apparently breaking into home last week as an Oklahoma City man.
Police say John Simmons the third was shot by James Petery after Petery confronted the man inside his house about 2 a-m last Friday.

Petery told police he was awakened by a loud noise and got a gun to investigate. He says he shot once when Simmons made a move toward him.

Kenai, Alaska

From the Anchorage Daily News of January 28, 2006

Jury acquits Kasilof woman in boyfriend’s shooting death

VERDICT: John Clark was shot in self defense, Betsy Hester contended.

A Kenai jury acquitted a woman in the shooting death of her boyfriend.

The jury found Betsy Hester not guilty of murder in the death of John Clark, killed in 2003 at the mobile home the couple shared in Kasilof.

Hester, 53, was charged with one count of second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend on Oct. 4, 2003. The Superior Court jury took little time to reach its verdict.

“This should never have come to trial,” said defense attorney Jim McComas. “It’s a crock and the jury told you that in two hours.”

The defense argued that Hester had legitimate reason to believe she was in danger of suffering serious injury or death if she did not defend herself from Clark’s attacks.
…

According to Hester’s testimony, she and Clark had been drinking and arguing at the Decanter Inn in Kasilof before they returned home. Once home, the argument escalated and Clark slapped and hit her with his fist.

He then went to the kitchen. When he returned holding a knife and continued to threaten bodily harm, Hester shot him with a pistol Clark left in the living room.

In closing arguments, Seaton questioned the claim that the shooting was made in self-defense. He recounted Alaska State Troopers’ testimony on the severity of the injuries observed on Hester in the two days following the shooting.

“(Troopers) noticed and photographed a scratch on the side of her face. John Clark had two bullet wounds … and the defense had a scratch,” Seaton said.

The defense argued that Hester did not have to wait until she was severely beaten to defend herself.

“What was she supposed to do? What is the state saying she was supposed to do?” Browning said. “Was she supposed to wait until she became another domestic violence statistic?”

Auburn Hills, Michigan

From the Detroit Free Press of January 27, 2006

Would-be robber flees when he’s shown a pistol

A man who tried to rob an Auburn Hills market Wednesday — by claiming he had a gun and demanding money from a clerk — was thwarted by a store manager with a pistol, police said.

City police have not caught the would-be robber, who ran when he saw the gun.

Police said he was described as 6 feet 2, with shoulder-length black hair, wearing a black jacket, blue pants and white running shoes.

He had entered Harry’s Market, at Opdyke Road and Walton Boulevard, at about 8 a.m., implied he had a handgun and demanded money, police said.

Washington, D.C.

From the Washington Post of January 27, 2006

Teen Bystander Wounded in D.C. Shootout

A 16-year-old bus passenger was wounded in the arm after a gun battle broke out between a liquor store owner and three robbers yesterday afternoon on a busy commuter route in Northeast Washington, D.C. police said.

The shootout took place about 1 p.m. after three masked robbers entered Rhode Island Liquors in the 1800 block of Hamlin Street NE, police said. Two of the men appeared to have guns, police said.

The men stole cash and ran out of the store while the shop’s owner retrieved his own handgun, police said. As the robbers fled, the store owner opened fire, police said. They said the robbers apparently fired back.

One of the bullets pierced a Metrobus that was nearby on Rhode Island Avenue and hit the teenage passenger in the arm, police said. The youth was taken to a hospital where he was being treated last night. Authorities said his injuries were not life-threatening. No one else was wounded.

D.C. Police Cmdr. Jennifer Greene said that investigators were trying to find the robbers, who fled in a red Nissan Pathfinder. Detectives also were questioning the store owner last night. Authorities did not release the owner’s name. No one answered the phone at the store last night.

Crime laboratory technicians were trying to determine which gun fired the bullet that wounded the teenager, and investigators were not sure last night how many shots were fired.

Greene said that investigators were also looking into whether the store owner possessed the handgun legally. District law prohibits ownership of handguns except for those who had the weapons before the restriction went into effect in the 1970s.

Spartanburg, South Carolina

From Spartanburg‘s WSPA.com of January 27, 2006

Spartanburg Store Owner Shoots Intruder

A store owner stands up against an armed intruder in Spartanburg County. And the alleged burglar ended up in the hospital.

The shooting happened early Friday morning at The Little Goodie Shop on North Church Street. Spartanburg County Investigators say two robbers broke in, one of them shot by the owner.

Officials say the other suspect still on the run. Investigators say they are looking for lavender four door Ford Taurus.

St. Louis, Missouri

From January 25, 2006 KSDK channel 5:

KSDK-St. Louis Police say the shooting occurred about 10:30 Tuesday night near Nebraska & Wyoming.

Gunfire woke up Tamyka Seymore. “I heard the shots so I have children in the home, I was trying to get them down on the floor,” said Seymore.

Outside her front door, police say the driver of Allen Cab 117 had just shot 16-year-old Roosevelt High School junior Corey Blanks Jr.

Police say Blanks, armed with a sawed off shotgun, tried to rob the cabbie, but the driver pulled out a hand gun, shooting and killing the teen.

Blanks’ cousin says the family wants justice. “He needs to pay the price for what he did, he did it, and he got away with it this time. Who’s to say he wouldn’t try to get away with it again,” said Tracy Rucker, his cousin.

Early Wednesday morning, police made phone contact with the cab driver in the 1200 block of N. 15th and took him into custody.

But NewsChannel 5 has learned he passed his criminal background check to drive a cab for the city of St. Louis, even though he’s a convicted felon on probation for unlawful use of a weapon.

NewsChannel 5 has learned prosecutors will not charge the cab driver with shooting the teen. However, he may face charges for possessing a weapon as a felon.

Miami, Florida

From the Miami Herald of January 26, 2006

Jury clears homeowner who took cop for intruder

A jury took less than 30 minutes to determine a homeowner did no wrong when he shot a police officer two years ago.

A little more than two years ago, Mario Barcia Jr. was awakened in the dead of night by banging on his door. Startled — and shaken from two previous robberies — he grabbed his gun and ran to the front of the house.

Within a matter of seconds his life would change forever. Seeing what he described only as a bright light shining through his back door, Barcia fired a single shot.

Five shots were returned. Then Barcia fired twice more.

His first shot had hit Miami-Dade County police officer Chad Murphy in the back.

Barcia was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, a crime that could have left him imprisoned for life. Murphy, wearing a flak jacket, survived with a bloody bruise.

On Wednesday, it took a Miami-Dade County jury less than 30 minutes to decide Barcia did nothing wrong in shooting Murphy, who had entered Barcia’s property without permission or a warrant.

But the cost to Barcia, a former Miami-Dade County Family Court clerk, and his family has been substantial: In the past two years Barcia has lost his job and his home, and had to serve house arrest while watching his now-19-month-old son grow.

Still, between hugs from family members on the third floor of the county criminal courthouse, Barcia said he holds no grudge against the state for pressing forward on what he considered an unfair case.

”I’m just glad it’s behind me,” he said. “They were just doing their jobs. I just wish they’d have been honest.”

(More detail)

Montgomery, Alabama

From the Montgomery Advertiser of January 25, 2006

Homeowner shoots alleged burglar

A homeowner in the Capitol Heights neighborhood apparently surprised an alleged burglar today and shot him to death, according to police.

Montgomery Police Department spokesman Lt. Huey Thornton said the burglary occurred in the 2300 block of St. Charles Ave., after the homeowner came home and discovered his belongings had been disturbed.

Thornton said the homeowner came across the alleged burglar and shot him.

The body was discovered at 2204 Winona Ave.

Geneva, Alabama

From Dothan’s WTVYnews.com of January 25, 2006

Geneva Man Shot

A Geneva man is recovering at a Dothan hospital after being shot in the knee.

The shooting happened around Monday night at a home off Stephen Ferry Road.

Reports indicate Latisha Boyette called police to report her ex-husband, Scott Boyette, had broken into her home.

Moments later she told dispatchers she had shot Boyette with a shotgun.

Authorities located the shooting victim driving his pick-up truck and took him to the hospital.

The shooting remains under investigation by the Geneva County Sheriff’s Department.

So far, no charges have been filed in the case.