Orlando, Florida

From December 27, 2007 WKMG channel 6:

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Central Florida man who collects cash for parking at a church fought off five armed men who had ambushed him and demanded cash.

The 65-year-old victim, who did not want to be identified, said he was collecting cash in the Parramore area before an Orlando Magic basketball game when someone put a gun to his head.

He noticed that that he was surrounded by four other men as well.

The man said he pretended to reach into his jacket for cash but instead pulled out his hidden gun and opened fire.

The men fled during the shooting and it was not known if any of them were hit by bullets.

The victim said he had a permit for the concealed weapon.

He said he has been a victim of crime before.

“A couple of years ago, eight teens attacked me with a pipe trying to rob me,” the man said.

Golden Gate, Florida

From NBC-2 of December 30, 2007

Panther kills farm animal, threatens ten year old boy

A Florida Panther is causing trouble for one Golden Gate neighborhood. A Collier County man claims that a panther jumped over his fence, killed a farm animal, and almost attacked a ten year old boy.

Homeowner and Golden Gate resident John Edgar is no stranger to wild animals.

Edgar raises goats, peacocks, and roosters, but Sunday night, he captured pictures of a new, unwelcome gust – a Florida Panther.

Edgar said that he had taken a few kids out for target shooting practice Saturday afternoon and was unaware that a wild animal was following closely behind.

When all of a sudden, Edgar said that a panther jumped over a fence and stood just 50 yards away while crouching down as if it were ready to attack one of the boys that was with the group.

“What I would like to put forth is the fact that it stalked a kid, ” Edgar said.

“I thought he was ready to jump so we both shoot, ‘pow-pow,’ not at the panther, just in the air.”

After firing several rounds, the panther then ran away, and so did the little boy and his family.

(More)

Fort Worth, Texas

From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram of December 29, 2007

Man in critical condition after bar security guard shoots him

A 28-year-old man was shot multiple times by a bar security guard early Saturday morning in the 100 block of West Rosedale Street, police said.

A security guard at the Cowboy Palace bar told police he was acting in self-defense when he fired multiple shots a man in a red car who allegedly tried to run over the security guard.

Jesus Torres was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. No arrests were made. Police seized the security guard’s weapon.

Fort Worth police spokesman Lt. Dean Sullivan said detectives are investigating.

Columbia, Missouri

From the Columbia Missourian of December 28, 2007

Suspect in intrusion dies of wound

One of the intruders in an apparent home invasion in Columbia died Friday afternoon after he was shot by one of the occupants of the home.

Henry Lee Brown, 23, was shot as he and another intruder kicked open the front door of an apartment on Old 63 early Thursday morning, according to a news release from the Columbia Police Department. He was pronounced dead at 1:43 p.m.

Columbia police Sgt. Ken Hammond said Brown suffered a gunshot wound to the chin, which exited, then came back through his throat and became lodged in his chest. Hammond did not explain whether the bullet had ricocheted.

At just past midnight Thursday, police responded to a call of shots fired at the apartment. Two people inside told police that two men had tried to kick open the door. One of the occupants retrieved a gun from another room, shot at the intruders as they came through the door and wounded Brown.

Brown and the other unidentified man then ran from the apartment. As police talked with the two people at the scene, they were notified that Brown had been dropped off at Boone Hospital Center?s emergency room. He was later transferred to University Hospital because his injuries were so severe.

Hammond said he doubts that charges will be filed against the person who shot Brown. He said the shooting would seem to fall under the Castle Doctrine, a legal statute that says Missouri property owners are allowed to use deadly force to defend themselves against unlawful intruders.

Brown did have a criminal history that included convictions for drug crimes and for misdemeanor assault and trespassing.

Hammond confirmed that police have been in contact with the two people from the apartment but said he could not comment on their reaction to the news of Brown?s death because the investigation is ongoing.

Further Links:

Suspect shot in apartment break-in dies

St. Louis, Missouri

From the December 28, 2007 St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

A Domino?s pizza deliveryman who shot and killed a would-be robber in Pagedale has a valid permit to carry a weapon and appears to have acted in self-defense, according to St. Louis County police.

The driver, who works for the Domino?s franchise nearby in University City, delivered an order at 7 p.m. Thursday to a phony address in the 6500 block of Julian Avenue, where two armed men announced a robbery. The driver pulled his own pistol and fired shots, striking one of the robbers.

Brian Smith, 19, of the 600 block of Ferguson Avenue in Ferguson, was pronounced dead at the scene, said officer Tracy Panus, the department spokeswoman. The other gunman fled. Police arrested a suspect this afternoon and booked him pending application of warrants, she said.

Panus said the driver may have been fired upon, but was not wounded. She said officers found a pistol at the scene that hadn?t been fired.

The driver surrendered his own weapon and showed officers a concealed-carry permit from Florida. Panus said officers verified the permit this afternoon.

Panus said Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch?s office will review the police reports but added, “It doesn?t appear to us that (the driver) did anything wrong.”

UPDATE: The January 3, 2008 St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the driver quit rather than be fired by Domino’s for carrying a gun.

Antioch, Tennessee

From December 27, 2007 WKRN channel 2:

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.

Memphis, Tennessee

From WREG of December 28, 2007

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

From MyEyewitnessNews of December 30, 2007

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.

Dallas, Texas

From Click2Houston of December 28, 2007

Robber, Clerk Killed In Separate Store Shootings

A robber and a clerk died in shootings at two separate convenience stores in the Houston area, KPRC Local 2 reported Friday.

The latest shooting happened at the Tony’s Express Store in the 4000 block of Synott in southwest Houston.

Investigators said just before 3 a.m., a store clerk shot two robbers who were stealing money from the register.

The robbers ran out of the store, drove around the corner in a pickup truck, and then crashed into the cab of a parked 18-wheeler, police said. The driver of the pickup died behind the wheel.

“At that point, the passenger jumped from the truck and fled the scene, ran down the street to another apartment. He was later apprehended and he is currently at Ben Taub Hospital with unknown injuries,” Houston police Detective Roger Chappell told KPRC Local 2.

Further links:
Two killed in separate convenience store robberies

Store clerk fatally shoots robbery suspect

Tallassee, Alabama

From Al.com of December 27, 2007

Tallassee home invasion turns deadly

A man apparently was fatally wounded by shots from his own firearm when it was taken away from him during a Christmas morning home invasion in Tallassee, authorities said.

Investigators said two men had forced their way into the residence shortly after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday while the occupants were asleep. Once inside, one of the intruders held an occupant at gunpoint, but at some point had the handgun wrestled away and several rounds were fired at him.

Both suspects fled the scene, and Tallapoosa County sheriff’s officers said Lee Antion Donaldson, 29, of Montgomery was admitted to Baptist South in Montgomery at 5 a.m. Wednesday with gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead a short time later.

Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett told The Alexander City Outlook his department is working with the Montgomery Police Department to determine if Donaldson was at the scene of the Tallassee home invasion.

The sheriff said Thursday that Donaldson’s possible connection to the home invasion was still under investigation.

Clendenin, West Virginia

From the Charleston Daily Mail of December 27, 2007

Woman shoots her husband during fight

Police say a Clendenin woman shot her husband after an argument turned physical.

The man is in the hospital after being shot in the abdomen.

Darrell and Leisa Welch, both 31, who are a legally-separated couple, got into a verbal argument at their residence on Thorofare Road on Wednesday night, said Kanawha County Sheriff’s Lt. Sean Crosier.

After the argument, Darrell left the home, but returned just before 9 p.m., Crosier said.

Leisa locked the front door when he arrived, but Darrell kicked it in, Crosier said.

The two then got into a physical fight, the deputy said.

Leisa was able to get away from Darrell and got a small, .22-caliber pistol and shot him once in the abdomen, Crosier said.

He was taken to Charleston Area Medical’s Center General Hospital where he is under evaluation.

Police did not arrest or charge either person in the case, but are requesting advice from prosecuting attorneys in the ongoing case, Crosier said.

The investigation is continuing, he said.

East Windsor, Connecticut

From the Journal Inquirer of December 24, 2007

EW man fires shot to scare off burglar, both arrested

Two men were arrested on numerous charges Saturday, police said, after a homeowner fired his shotgun out his window to drive away a would-be burglar.

Alan Pelletier, 45, of 95A Main St. in the Broad Brook section was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, unlawful discharge of firearms, and second-degree breach of peace by threat, police said.

Delroy A. Martin, 24, of 794 South St. Suffield, was charged with second-degree assault, criminal mischief, breach of peace, and criminal attempt to commit burglary, police said.

Officers responded to a call about 8:15 p.m. Saturday, police said.

“It appears Martin was attempting to break into 93 Main St. when shots were fired,” Capt. Roger T. Hart said.

“It appears Pelletier shot a 12-gauge shotgun out the rear window of 95A Main St., presumably in an attempt to scare away the suspect,” according to Hart.

No one was injured from the shooting, police said.

“When we arrived several people were holding a black male down,” Hart said.

That man, Martin, was “attempting to break into a residence, using a garden tool to break down the door,” according to Hart.

Martin appeared to have been intoxicated, and damaged multiple unit doors, Hart said.

Martin was held in lieu of $100,000 bond and was scheduled to appear at Enfield Superior Court today.

Pelletier was released on $10,000 nonsurety bond and is to appear on Jan. 22 at Enfield Superior Court, Hart said.

The Civilian Gun Defense Blog does not usually accept stories where the citizen is charged with a crime in relation to the shooting. Nevertheless, we feel that, as reported, Mr. Pelletier’s actions fall within the scope of this blog and should be included.

Dallas, Texas

From the Fort Worth Star Telegram of December 27, 2007

Guard fatally shoots intruder in Dallas business

A man who reportedly sneaked into an east Dallas business late Wednesday was fatally shot by a man who was guarding the place, police said.

The shooting was a reported at 9:08 p.m. at the business in the 4300 block of Elm Street, which is east of the intersection of North Haskell Avenue. The neighborhood is a few blocks east of Baylor University Medical Center.

The man who was shot did not have an identification with him, but he appeared to be in his mid 40s, said Sgt. Bruce McDonald, a homicide detective.

A 24-year-old man who was hired to guard the business told police that he heard a garage door opening, but the remote-control opener had been stolen in an earlier burglary, McDonald said.

The guard then confronted the man, McDonald said. The guard said the man approached him in a threatening manner so he shot him with a handgun, McDonald said.

Investigators are trying to identify the dead man by means of his fingerprints, McDonald said.

The case, he added, will be turned over to a Dallas County grand jury which will determine whether or not the guard should face charges for shooting the man. Texas law states that a person can use deadly force to defend themselves or their property.

Further links:
Business Intruder Fatally Shot

Slain burglar had garage door opener from previous break-in at business

Fresno, California

From KFSN of December 26, 2007

Man Shoots Another in Self Defense

No charges will be filed against a man who shot and killed another man in southeast Fresno on Christmas.

Police say it was self defense.

Investigators say a 26-year old man showed up at his ex-girlfriend’s home on east Belgravia, around 4 a.m. to demand to see their baby.

Police say he hit the woman, pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot her.

The woman’s cousin was in the home and shot the ex-boyfriend.

Police say he saved both mother and baby.

Police say the suspect had just been released from prison was deported to Mexico, but returned to the U.S.

Further links:
Man Kills In Self-Defense

Union County, Georgia

From WGCL of December 24, 2007

Mother Shot, Son Shoots Stepfather

A Fulton County woman was shot twice in the stomach early Monday morning by her estranged husband, police said.

Fulton County police said the woman was being escorted to her car in front of her home on Leisure Lane in south Fulton County by her son when her estranged husband shot her with a shotgun.

The woman’s son returned fire, shooting his stepfather before calling police, investigators said.

“I had just come outside to walk my dog and I walked back in the house,” said neighbor Mary Ann Washington. “As soon as I walked back in the house, I heard a girl scream and then I heard shots — a lot of shots.”

Police said the couple was involved in an on-going domestic dispute, with the woman obtaining a restraining order against her estranged husband before the shooting.

The woman’s son had been walking her to her car in front of her home daily in order to provide protection for her, investigators said.

Both the woman and her estranged husband are in serious condition at a local hospital.

No information has been released on any charges that may be filed against the woman’s son.

Further links:
Police: Husband Shot Wife, Son Shot Husband

Kent, Washington

From KIRO of December 24, 2007

Intruder Shot Dead By Kent Man

Police said a Kent man interrupting a burglary in progress shot and killed an intruder when he came home to his East Hill apartment complex, reported KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

Police responding to reports of gunshots heard in the 26000 block of 106 Avenue Southeast in Kent spoke to the apartment residents who said that upon arriving home early Saturday night they found an apparent intruder inside their residence.

Authorities said there was a confrontation and multiple gunshots were fired.

The intruder died at the scene. No one else was injured.

No arrests have been made while police continue to investigate.

Further links:
Suspected intruder dies in Kent confrontation

Burglar shot dead by homeowner

Kent man who killed intruder had gun permit