Nicholasville, Kentucky

From the Lexington Herald-Leader of October 31, 2007

Shots fired during home burglary in rural Jessamine County

The Jessamine County Sheriff?s Office is investigating a burglary in which shots were fired late Wednesday morning.

Sheriff Kevin Corman did not release many details, but he said the homeowner fired after discovering three intruders in his home. The homeowner told investigators that he thought the intruders returned fire. Corman said a neighbor heard three shots fired.

Corman said the confrontation happened on Ky. 169 between U.S. 68 and Keene. Because the matter is under investigation, he did not release the homeowner?s name or address.

It?s not known whether the burglary is related to another burglary in the area that happened Tuesday, Corman said.

From WLEX of October 31, 2007

Police Search For Burglary Suspects

Police are searching for three suspects in a Jessamine County home burglary Wednesday morning who ended up trading gunshots with the homeowner.

The incident happened at around 11:30 a.m. a home on Keene Road. Police say a man was on his exercise bike in the basement when he heard a noise upstairs. He at first assumed the sound was made by his wife, whom had been away from the home. When he went to investigate, the man encountered a man walking out of his bedroom.

The homeowner told LEX 18 that he then fired a warning shot, but the intruder, who police say was in the home with another suspect as a third suspect waited outside in the getaway car, had taken on of the homeowner’s guns and shot back while running out of the home.

The homeowner, who did not want to be identified, says he hid behind some bushes and exchanged 8-9 shots as the intruders ran down the driveway chasing the getaway car. The two intruders caught the car and fled down Keene Road toward Kentucky 68.

The getaway car is an older model black Oldsmobile with plastic in the black window. The suspects are described as two were black men and one white man, One of the men who was inside the home was about 20 years old and thin, the other was older and stocky. There is no further description of the driver of the getaway car.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

From the Baton Rouge Advocate of October 31, 2007

Guard shoots robbery suspect

An armed man exchanged gunfire with a shopping center security guard Tuesday after a robbery at a store near the Southdowns neighborhood.

The man, with two lookouts, had held up the Gameware store, 3151 College Drive, near Perkins Road, about 8:35 p.m., police spokesman Cpl. L?Jean McKneely said.

While leaving the store, the robber spotted a private security guard and fired one shot at him but missed, police said.

The guard returned fire, hitting the robber multiple times.

The robber, whose name was not reported, was taken to the hospital by EMS with life-threatening injuries, McKneely said.

His two accomplices fled in a green, older-model Pontiac, and police were still looking for them late Tuesday.

Jacksonville, Florida

From News4Jax.com of October 31, 2007

Police: Woman Shoots Suspect With His Gun

A woman confronted by two home invasion suspects in Westside apartment on Wednesday morning wrestled a gun away from one of them and shot him, police said.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s office, two suspects posing as maintenance men entered the woman’s apartment in the 4400 block of Confederate Park Road.

When one of the men pulled a gun, the woman got it away from him and shot him. The man was rushed to Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center in serious condition. His name has not been released.

The other suspect ran away and is being sought by police.

The woman was not hurt.

El Paso, Texas

From the El Paso Times of October 31, 2007

In brief: El Paso police arrest 2 men in home invasion

Two men were arrested after an incident in which gunshots were fired in the 3300 block of Wyoming in Central El Paso, police said.

About 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, police were called after a 35-year-old man fired rounds into the air when he was allegedly threatened at his home by two men. When officers arrived, the men forced their way into the man’s home and held him against his will before surrendering, police said.

The two men, ages 31 and 21, were charged with evading arrest and unlawful restraint. Names were not immediately available.

Milton, Florida

From Fort Walton Beach?s Northwest Florida News of October 31, 2007

Ex-boyfriend shot while breaking into woman’s home

A man is in critical condition after he was shot while allegedly trespassing at 4225 Reinsma Road in Milton late Tuesday night.

The resident, a woman, told deputies that she shot the man, 32-year-old Matthew Scott Strickland, in the chest because he was attempting to break into her residence, according to a release from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff?s Office.

The woman, whose name has not been released, told dispatchers that the intruder was her ex-boyfriend.

When deputies arrived, they found Strickland unconscious in the backyard. He was taken to West Florida Hospital in Pensacola, where he remains in critical condition.

?Investigators are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident,? according to the release.

Memphis, Tennessee

From the October 31, 2007 Memphis Commercial-Appeal:

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.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

From October 30, 2007 Fox channel 9:

Mpls Family Shoots an Intruder

A thief targeting a north Minneapolis house got a little more than he bargained when he attempted to break in. Fox 9’s Beth McDonough, reporting.

The video report says that Willie Hobbs was allegedly trying to force entry into the home, “trying to find some copper, and got some lead.”

Miami, Florida

From Miami?s CBS4.com of October 30, 2007

Police: Grocery Store Owner Shot Would-Be Robber

The tables were turned on a would-be robbery suspect after police say a store owner shot him as he tried to rob a grocery store.

Miami-Dade Police say an armed and masked robber walked in to the Diaz Groceries located at 13501 SW 268 Street in Homestead and tried holding up the clerk. The store owner, who was nearby, witnessed the commotion and grabbed the gun and shot at the suspect.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported the shooting victim to Jackson Memorial Hospital via air rescue, but he died on the way.

Police have not released the names of any of the parties involved, and they say they are determining if the owner was acting in self defense.

Springfield, Ohio

From the Springfield News Sun of October 30, 2007

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.

Salt Lake City, Utah

From the Salt Lake Tribune of October 30, 2007

Clerk rifle-whips bandit – with bandit’s gun

A would-be bandit carrying a rifle tried to rob a Salt Lake City convenience store Monday, only to be beaten with his own gun when the clerk fought back.

The 38-year-old man entered the EZ Mart near 600 North and 200 West around 2:15 p.m. and demanded money.

The clerk and the man began fighting, knocking money and store items across the counter, police reported.

The clerk then grabbed the rifle and began beating the would-be robber. Police arrived and arrested the 38-year-old man.

The clerk suffered chest pains and was taken to a local hospital as a precaution.

Lutz, Florida

From Tampa Bay?s TBO.com of October 30, 2007

3 Men Sought In Home Invasions In Hillsborough

Hillsborough County deputies are searching for three men suspected in a string of armed home invasions and the shooting of a resident who defended himself and nearly caught one of the suspects.

Arrest warrants on charges of armed home robbery were issued today for Cedric Stephens, 20, Derrick Grady, 19, and Ronnie Bolden, 18. Stephens also faces one count of attempted murder.

On Friday morning, the suspects forced their way into an apartment at 15101 Buckhorn Court in Lutz, sheriff’s spokeswoman Debbie Carter said. They demanded money and threatened to shoot the four victims. The men left in a newer model red vehicle after taking cash and personal property.

On Sunday morning, the same suspects knocked on an apartment door at 5427 Ginger Cove in Tampa, Carter said. After a victim opened the door, the suspects produced a gun and left with various items of personal property.

Four hours later, the suspects forced open a door at 2608 Rustic Ridge Loop in Lutz, Carter said. They pointed a handgun at a 34-year-old man and took his cash and a video game player, also leaving in a red car.

As they left, the robbers doused the victim’s face with pepper spray, Carter said. The victim grabbed a rifle from in the apartment and chased after them. He caught up to one of the men and began to escort him back to the apartment when one of the other suspects came up behind him and fired a shot in the back of his neck, Carter said.

The suspects drove away in a red 2008 Chevrolet, Carter said. The victim chased after the vehicle on foot and then fired one shot at the vehicle.

The suspects abandoned the car and ran west out of the complex, she said. The victim was rushed to Tampa General Hospital with injuries that weren’t life-threatening and was released.

Lebanon, Pennsylvania

From Harrisburg?s PennLive.com of October 30, 2007

Shot fired at intruder

Police are investigating an incident early Saturday morning in which a homeowner fired a shot at a man who had broken into his home.

Police said the homeowner told them he was awakened at 3:50 a.m. by the sound of breaking glass. He said he got up and went to the kitchen carrying a handgun. There he saw a man dressed in black carrying a baseball bat. When the intruder advanced toward the homeowner, police said he fired one shot at him. At that the intruder turned and ran from the home.

Police said they have evidence that supports the homeowner?s story that someone broke into the home and that a handgun was fired.

Lebanon Police Captain Dan Wright said police believe the intruder had specific reasons for picking that home to break into and that this was not a random incident.

Wright said the focus of the investigation is on the burglary.

Olive Branch, Mississippi

From Memphis? WMC.com of October 30, 2007

Police investigate carjacking, shooting near Olive Branch

Police are investigating a carjacking that lead to a chase and a shooting Monday afternoon near Olive Branch, Mississippi.

The shooting happened in an area near the intersection of State Line Road and Riverdale Road in Olive Branch, Mississippi.

Investigators said 71-year-old Bobbie Gray was unloading groceries in the driveway of her south Shelby County home when a man approached her with a shotgun, demanding her car.

“He just walked up behind me as I was taking the groceries out and stuck the gun at me and demanded the keys,” Gray said. “There was nothing I could do and I started screaming and I was surprised he didn’t shoot me for screaming.”

Gray’s son Keith, who was inside her house, came outside when he heard the altercation.

Seeing the carjacker pulling out of the driveway in his mother’s car, Keith jumped into his own car and followed the man. The pair traveled nearly three miles during the brief chase.

While driving, the suspect pulled a gun on Keith, who was also carrying a gun. He fired at the suspect.

The carjacker veered off into a field, with Keith in pursuit. There, both men jumped out of their vehicles.

Keith approached the carjacker with his gun drawn and ordered the man to stay still. When the carjacker moved, Keith again fired on the man.

“That’s when the son confronted the suspect and said to stay put,” said Shelby County Sheriff’s Department Spokesperson Steve Shular. “The suspect did not do that. The suspect kept getting up and that’s when the son fired twice, hitting the suspect in the leg.”

The victim was transported to a local hospital.

Marshall Gray, Bobbie’s husband and Keith’s father, warned others to be cautious.

“Pass the word on,” he said. “You never know the next person you’re going to carjack may have a gun bigger than yours in their car.”

“What he did, I knew he would. He was trying to protect me,” Bobbie Gray added.

Keith Gray is licensed to carry a gun in Mississippi, but not in Tennessee.

Officials said they were still working out who would be in charge of the investigation into the incident.

Memphis, Tennessee

From MyFoxMemphis.com of October 29, 2007

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.

Laredo, Texas

From the Laredo Morning Times of October 29, 2007

Homeowner shoots would-be burglar

A man attempting to break into a home was shot by the homeowner Sunday morning, police said.A resident of the 8800 block of Wyndham Terrace Trail called police at about 9:35 a.m. Sunday to report that he had just fired at a man who was attempting to break into his home. The would-be burglar ran off.

The caller did not know if he had hit the man.

Officers later found a man in the vicinity who appeared to have a gunshot wound to his hand. The man was taken to the hospital, and faces charges of burglary, police said.

The man who was hit, whose name police did not immediately release, was outside the house at the time shots were fired, police said.

Police did not release the name of the homeowner Sunday.