Clairemont, California

From the San Diego Union Tribune of March 30, 2008

Cigar-store clerk foils robbers by taking away gun

A cigar store clerk foiled an armed robbery attempt by two men and a woman Saturday, San Diego police said.

The three entered a cigar store on Balboa Avenue near Genesee Avenue in Clairemont about 1 p.m., and the woman pulled out a gun and demanded money, police said.

The clerk managed to take the gun away, and the three left empty-handed.

The woman was described as white, 30 to 35 years old, heavy-set with long blond hair. She wore a blue jacket and blue jeans.

The men were described as white, 30 to 35 years old, with medium builds and average height. They wore blue shirts and blue jeans.

Marion, Florida

From CBS4 of March 29, 2008

Security Guard Fires Shots At Attempted Robber

Shots ring out outside a Miramar Foot Locker when a security guard strikes a would-be robber.

Police said a Marion security guard was having lunch in front of the Foot Locker at 3194 South University Drive Friday afternoon, when he saw a man covering his face with a bandana and taking out a gun.

That’s when the guard fired his gun striking the suspect four times, said police.

Investigators said the injured suspect fled in a wafting white Nissan, but was later found in Miami Gardens at 889 NW 214th Street. The suspect was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Detectives are still looking for the Nissan driven and another passenger they believe was in the car.

Blue Lake, California

From the Eureka Reporter of March 27, 2008

Neighbor apprehends burglar after pursuit

Deputies from the Humboldt County Sheriff?s Office arrested a man yesterday afternoon after neighbors in Blue Lake allegedly caught him during a home burglary, a news release stated.

At about 2:45 p.m. a woman reported to the Sheriff?s Office that she saw a man enter her next-door neighbor?s residence on the 400 block of Chartin Way.

The woman told the Sheriff?s Emergency Dispatchers that her son, Steven Wilson, 49, armed with a handgun, had attempted to apprehend the suspect inside the residence and was now chasing him toward Rancheria Road.

Deputies arrived a few minutes later and found Wilson detaining Ryan Bush, 21 of Eureka. Further investigation revealed that the suspect had allegedly forcibly entered the locked residence on Chartin Way and removed several items. There was also significant vandalism inside the residence, including broken doors, light fixtures, furniture, and scratched wood floors.

When Wilson confronted him, the suspect fled from the house. Wilson fired a single ?warning shot? and told the suspect to freeze, but he continued to run.

The suspect ran through backyards and private driveways until Wilson was able to catch and detain him near Rancheria Road.

Bush was treated at a local hospital for a laceration he sustained either during the burglary or the pursuit. He also had a previous injury that required medical attention.

Bush was then transported to the Humboldt County jail and booked for burglary. His bail was set at $50,000 and he is expected to be arraigned Friday.

Columbus, Ohio

From the Columbus Dispatch of March 28, 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“He’s in shock,” she said.

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

“He ran from his father,” she said.

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

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

“It’ll be all right, Derick,” she said. “It’ll be all right.”

Moments later, police officers are heard at the door.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

From WWMT of March 27, 2008

No Charges For Gas Station Shooter

Kent Co. prosecutors have announced that there will be no charges for the man who shot and killed another man in Grand Rapids.

It all happened last month at the Shell Gas Station at the corner of Kalamazoo Ave. and Boston Street.

Gabriel Rodriguez was filling up his car when he got into an argument with a man named Glenn Tett, who is licensed to carry a concealed weapon. Surveillance video shows Rodriguez picking up a trash can lid seemingly to hit Tett, when Tett takes out a gun and shoots Rodriguez, killing him.

Tett told police that the reason he fired his gun was because he feared for his life, and after watching the surveillance video and investigating the case, Kent Co. Prosecutors agreed that Rodriguez’ actions could have been interpreted as life-threatening.

“As you’re watching (the surveillance video), this happens in an instant,” said Kent Co. Prosecutor Bill Forsyth. “We could sit here and Monday-morning-quarterback this, and say well, ‘He could have closed the door to his truck and gotten in and driven away. (Tett) could have stepped back, he could have waited to see what it was he was swinging at him, it might have changed things,’ but that’s not the way the law is written.”

(More)

Memphis, Tennessee

From MyEyewitnessNews of March 28, 2008

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.

Des Moines, Iowa

From WHBF of March 28, 2008

Pizza Man Shoots Would-Be Robber

Police say a pizza delivery man shot an attempted robber in Des Moines.

Officials say they received a call late Thursday from the delivery man, saying another man tried to rob him at gunpoint. Police say the delivery man shot the alleged robber.

Another call came in to authorities reporting a man was shot on the second floor of an apartment building.

Authorities say the man who was shot was in serious condition at a nearby hospital. The delivery man surrendered to police at the scene. The investigation is continuing.

Milford Township, Ohio

From the Journal News of March 27, 2008

85-year-old opens fire on thugs

Raleigh Hensley’s trip to “town” Tuesday ended with men taking his wallet with $5,500 and roughing him up, but the 85-year-old didn’t give up his money without a fight and even shot at the fleeing car.

Butler County Sheriff’s detectives announced today, March 27, they have the culprits, both of Hamilton, behind bars who allegedly robbed Hensley. They are Timothy Alfred, 44, of Millville Ave., charged with robbery and Mark Collins, 45, of Sunset Drive, charged with complicity to robbery.

Hensley, who has lived on Darrtown Road more than 50 years, said he went to Hamilton Tuesday afternoon, March 26, and stopped by a west side liquor store to purchase a “jug of wine.”

“There were three or four guys around there,” Hensley said. “They saw me pay with the money in my billfold. I tripped on the way out and one of them helped me up and asked if he could take me home.”

Hensley laughed and told them he wasn’t drinking and didn’t need any help.

But the men apparently wanted to help themselves to his cash ? all $5,500 of it.

“I didn’t notice them following me home,” Hensley said. “When I got out to get the mail, the red car sort of blocked me and they shoved me, trying to get my billfold. I told them, ‘you ain’t going to get it.’”

Eventually, the men were able to swipe the wallet and jumped back in the car speeding away toward McGonigle, Hensley said

“I got my gun and shot a couple times at the tires,” Hensley said. He added he has been told him today he may have hit his mark. Butler County Detective Jason Rosser said a car believed to have been driven by the culprits has been located and is being processed. Hensley also tried to follow the getaway car, but lost them.

“I’ve never had any type of problem out here,” Hensley said. “Still don’t. They followed me home.”

He added he usually does not carry thousands in cash, but had plans for the money they stole.

Houston, Texas

From Click2Houston of March 27, 2008

Woman Shoots Robber, Husband During Home Invasion

A woman shot and killed an intruder and accidentally wounded her husband in a northeast Harris County home invasion, investigators told KPRC Local 2 Thursday.

According to deputies, a couple found themselves staring down the barrel of a gun in their apartment in the Northshore Meadows complex in the 300 block of Audrey Lane shortly before midnight.

A man had just broken into their apartment and was making demands.

According to investigators, he wanted cash and drugs, and made the couple remove all their clothing.

Then, gunshots rang out. However, the would-be robber wasn’t the one squeezing the trigger, officials said.

“The husband got into a physical altercation with the suspect,” Harris County Deputy A.J. Kelly said. “The wife was able to retrieve a handgun that they had up in the room and she fired shots, striking and killing the suspect.”

The husband was also shot. Deputies said he was hit in the arm. They believe he may have been hit by friendly fire from his wife.

The couple told investigators that they did not know the man or why they were the targets of a home invasion.

“Seems like, at this point, they did what they had to do,” Kelly said. “They were in fear that this individual who broke into their house was going to harm them.”

Deputies said they believe the intruder may not have been alone.

“We have a female detained that was in the parking lot at the time of the incident and we’re questioning her know,” Kelly said. “She’s definitely a person of interest. We think she was with him.”

According to Kelly, the woman was downstairs in the parking lot waiting in what appeared to be the getaway car.

Investigators said that the husband suffered from an exit wound to the arm.

He was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover.

Carmel, New York

From Midhudson Most Wanted of March 26, 2008

Druggist wrestles shotgun away from would be robbery

A gunman who tried to rob a Carmel pharmacy Tuesday afternoon was subdued by the pharmacist after a violent struggle.

The robber, armed with a sawed-off shotgun, attempted to rob the store of narcotics.

The incident unfolded at about 12:35 p.m. at the Rite Aid Pharmacy in the ShopRite Plaza on Route 52 in Carmel.

The suspect, identified as David Both, 49, of Kent, allegedly walked up to the pharmacy counter, pulled the shotgun and demanded narcotics from the pharmacy staff.

Both then walked around behind the counter as the pharmacist, Mark Gallagher, complied with his demands by placing drugs into a bag.

When the suspect pointed the shotgun toward two female employees, Gallagher, who later told police he feared the suspect was going to shoot the women, grabbed the weapon. After a struggle, the pharmacist was able to wrest control of the gun from Both and fought him off.

Someone in the store called 911 and patrols from the Putnam, Sheriff?s Office, Carmel and Ken Police and the State Police rushed to the store. Both was taken into custody.

As a deputy was unloading the shotgun, police said it accidentally discharged and fired a slug into a rear wall of the store. No one was injured. Police think the gun may have gone off because it was damaged during the struggle.

Gallagher was not injured in the altercation.

Another store employee, a 64-year-old woman, later experienced chest pains while be interviewed at the Sheriff?s Office. She was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Both was charged with attempted robbery in the first degree.

**Note** To clear up confusion, the reported perpetrator is named “Both”.

Phenix City, Alabama

From WSBTV of March 25, 2008

Man Shoots, Kills Cousin Stealing Gas

Authorities in Russell County have not filed charges against a homeowner who said today he shot and killed a man who was siphoning gasoline from his truck in the middle of the night, only to discover the victim was a cousin.

Robert Lee Warren of Hatchechubee said the man identified by the coroner as 40-year-old Henry Moses made a threatening move toward him after being confronted, so he pulled the trigger in self-defense.

Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr. said Moses died of a single gunshot to the chest about 2 a.m. CDT on Easter Sunday. The body was found near a blue pickup truck under an awning that Warren used as a carport. He said its unclear how much, if any, gasoline was taken.

Prosecutor Buster Landreau said it was too early to say whether an indictment could result when a grand jury considers the case.

Alabama law allows residents to use deadly force if they feel their life is in danger.

With the average price for regular, self-serve gasoline hitting $3.26 a gallon in the United States, gasoline thefts are being reported across the country.

Miami-Dade County, Florida

From Local10 of March 25, 2008

Police: Intruder Shot, Killed In Break-In

A resident might have shot and killed one of two intruders who tried to break into his southwest Miami-Dade County home early Tuesday morning, police said.

The fatal shooting occurred at about 2 a.m. outside 5851 SW 118th Ave.

Miami-Dade police said it appeared two men tried to burglarize the home when the resident fought with them outside and fatally shot one of them. The second intruder fled the scene but was later found west of 118th Avenue, police said. He was detained and is being questioned by police.

Police were also questioning the resident of the home, but it was too early to determine exactly what happened, Miami-Dade police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said.

The resident’s family said he was OK and that there had been intruders at the home before.

Scottsdale, Arizona

From the East Valley Tribune of March 24, 2008

Scottsdale woman shoots at persistent intruder

A 74-year-old woman twice shot at a man after he made repeated attempts to break into her home, extort money from her and threatened to set fire to her garage.

Hugh Turner, 52, was arrested by Scottsdale police about 2 p.m. Friday on suspicion of threatening and intimidation and other offenses at a residence in the 27800 block of North 94th Street.

Turner allegedly threatened to burn the woman?s house down after pouring gasoline in her garage about midnight on Thursday if she refused to give him money, police said.

After the woman complied with his demands, Turner fled but later returned to the home about 4 a.m. Saturday and tried to break into an upstairs door using a ladder. The woman fired two shots from a handgun, but the man was able to get away unharmed, police said.

Officer?s from the parks and preserve unit on All-Terrain Vehicles found Turner in a desert area near the home and arrested him. Turner also was arrested on suspicion of attempted arson on an occupied structure, theft by extortion, endangerment and disorderly conduct.

Turner was treated at Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak hospital for an ankle injury he sustained after he jumped from the ladder at the woman?s home. He was booked into the Scottsdale City Jail. Police said the woman and man knew each other.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

From WPXI of March 23, 2008

Suspect Shot In Tattoo Parlor Robbery

A tattoo parlor on the corner of Fourth Street and Euclid Avenue in Dravosburg was robbed at 9:15 p.m. Saturday night.

The suspect, who is described as a 6-foot-5-inch 250-pound male of unknown race, escaped on foot with $200. But that’s not all the robber left with.

The owner of the business told police that he believes he may have shot the suspect in the back.

Shortly afterwards, police responded to a call from a man who said he was shot in the back at an address 1/2 of a mile away from the scene of the robbery. It is unknown whether these two incidents are related.

Mckeesport police and Allegheny County homicide detectives are not releasing any information about the investigation at this time.

Nevada, Missouri

From the Joplin Globe of March 21, 2008

Self-defense claimed in area shooting death

Vernon County deputies looking into a fatal shooting this week in the Dederick area were awaiting results Friday of an autopsy to help them determine whether any charges should be filed against the shooter.

Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman said the shooter, a man in his 50s, claims he was being assaulted by the man he is believed to have shot three times with a .32-caliber handgun.

The man killed was identified as Jimmy Dale Duncan, 47, whose last known address was in Neosho, the sheriff said. Peckman said Duncan apparently had been staying in recent days at the home where his body was found, near the intersection of Katy Track and 2900 Road in eastern Vernon County.

The Vernon County Sheriff?s Department was called at 8:19 p.m. Wednesday to the home when a female caller initially reported someone was possibly suffering a heart attack at the address. The sheriff said a second call from the residence reported a possible shooting.

Deputies and emergency medical workers found Duncan dead when they arrived. The sheriff said Duncan had visible gunshot wounds to his chest, abdomen and arm. He said the man believed to have shot Duncan surrendered his handgun to deputies when they arrived at the scene.

The man and a woman, who both live at the address, were taken in for questioning Wednesday night. They were later released without any charges having been filed. The Sheriff?s Department had not released their names as of Friday afternoon.

Peckman said the man claims he was being assaulted by Duncan and shot him in self-defense.

The sheriff said the shooter was on oxygen for medical reasons and was sitting in a chair inside the home when Duncan reportedly began slapping his face. He said the man told investigators he reached for his gun beside the chair and shot Duncan.

Duncan had been seeing the woman who lives at the address, the sheriff said. He said the woman and the shooter lived together as friends and may have been related. He said their exact relationship had yet to be determined by investigators.

All three had been drinking together, Peckman said.

?They admitted they had been drinking beer and whiskey all afternoon and evening,? he said. ?It makes for a bad combination.?

An autopsy scheduled for Thursday in Springfield was delayed until Friday, the sheriff said. Investigators were waiting to see what the autopsy might reveal, he said, with respect to trajectories and range of the shots that struck Duncan and which shot caused his death. Toxicology tests also were being conducted on the body, he said.

Besides obtaining statements from the two occupants of the house, a male neighbor who was at the home when the shooting took place was questioned, the sheriff said.