Lee County, Florida

From WINK of February 11, 2010

Fight Over Unleashed Dog, Gun Pulled

Forty-one-year-old James Cashin is in jail tonight for allegedly punching another man in the head during an argument. Kurt Hartman says he was hit while taking Gus for an early morning walk.

“Their dog was running loose, no collar, no leash, no nothing,” said Hartmann.

Hartmann admitted to frustration with Cashin, who lives a half a block away on Park Road. He says Cashin routinely let his dog run loose, so he shared his frustration.

“It became into a heated exchange, next thing you know, the guy hit me,” said Hartmann.

Hartmann suffers from cardiomyopathy, and needs a pump to move his blood. he carries a battery pack wherever he goes.”This is just a temporary measure until I can get on a transplant list out of Tampa General Hospital.”

Lying on the ground, bleeding, and in fear of his life, he says, he pulled out a licensed .40 caliber pistol in self-defense.

Julie Sherman, a friend of Cashin’s says, it didn’t happen that way.

“Jimmy was arguing with him because he was calling me names,” said Sherman. “He pulled the gun on me and put it in my face.”

But according to deputies, there were inconsistencies between Sherman and Cashin’s stories.

“You don’t bring a fist to a gunfight, you think if I pull out my gun, he’s gonna come after me with his fist? I pull out a gun, he’s going to run,” said Hartmann.

According to reports, both parties called 911. Hartmann has a concealed weapons permit and deputies say he acted well within the law. Cashin was taken to jail and now faces one county of felony battery.

Cashin does have a prior criminal record that includes battery and drug charges.

Winter Haven, Florida

From The Ledger of February 1, 2010

70-Year-Old Winter Haven Man Shoots Would-be Thieves

Two would-be thieves didn’t count on a motion alarm and a gun-toting 70-year-old Winter Haven man when they tried to steal the batteries from his golf cart, according to Polk County Sheriff’s Office reports.

Robert Rowley, of 28 Henry Drive in Winter Haven, awoke to the sound of a motion sensor alarm about 2:15 a.m. Monday.

When the alarm sounded, he grabbed his handgun and flashlight to investigate, sheriff’s reports said.

As he walked outside his home, he saw two men, who investigators said were trying to cut the cables to the battery packs on Rowley’s golf cart.

When he challenged them, one of the men began to walk in Rowley’s direction, he told investigators he tried to scare the men away by firing his gun.

Rowley fired three shots – once in the air, another at the ground and a third at the men’s truck as they tried to quickly get away.

Deputies were later called to Winter Haven Hospital for two men who showed up with gun shot wounds, reports said.

After talking to the men and to Rowley, deputies charged Matthew Alan Clinage, 20, and Christopher Polson, 21, with grand theft and burglary of an occupied residence, reports said.

Clinage was also charged with violation of community control for a previous conviction of grand theft of a firearm.

Rowley told deputies he didn’t realize his shots had struck either man.

Clinage was struck in the leg and Polson in the head and neck area.

Clinage was treated and taken to the Polk County Jail, while Polson was taken to Tampa General Hospital where he remained in stable condition. He will be booked into the jail later, officials said.

Cocoa, Florida

From WFTV of January 31, 2010

Neighborhood Shootout Sends Five People To Hospital

Five people were taken to the hospital in serious condition after a shootout at a home in Brevard County.

Cocoa police say a homeowner noticed four men jumping over his fence on Montclair Road shortly before 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Officers say the homeowner opened fire on the men to defend his property.

“He challenged them. He told them to get off his property. They continued toward him and shots were fired,” said Barbara Matthews with the Cocoa Police Department.

The homeowner was also shot during the incident.

Police say the homeowner may have opened fire because of what happened the night before. Saturday night a group of burglars had broken into his home while no one was home. Officers say the group stole keys and a couple of guns from the home. Police believe the two cases are connected.

Orlando, Florida

From WESH of January 24, 2010

Store Employee Holds Would-Be Robber For Police

A store employee managed to disarm a would-be robber and hold him for police, authorities said.

Capt. Debra Doub, of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, said the incident happened at the Island Food Store at 301 N. Goldenrod Road on Saturday at about 11:33 p.m.

She said a man dressed in black went behind the counter and put his finger, which was wrapped in a T-shirt, to an employee’s head and demanded money, Doub said.

“The victim grabbed the suspect and body slammed him to the floor,” she said. “While on the floor, the suspect tried to reach inside his jacket. The victim reached inside first, removing a 6 inch butcher knife. The victim held the suspect for our arrival.”

No injuries were reported in the attempted robbery.

Port St. Lucie, Florida

From WPBF of January 22, 2010

Homeowner Killed Would-Be Burglar

Police said a homeowner shot and killed a would-be burglar Friday.

The incident occurred at 2168 SW Pruitt St. shortly after 3 p.m.

Port St. Lucie police said a man arrived at the home and tried to force his way inside.

The homeowner, identified as Josh Moore, went to the bedroom and got a shotgun. Moore and the intruder fought over the gun, which discharged and hit the intruder in the chest, investigators said.

Police got a search warrant to go into the house where the victim was discovered.

Authorities said no criminal charges are pending at this time and that an autopsy is scheduled.

The victim’s identity was not released pending notification of his next of kin.

Detectives were interviewing a woman at the scene.

Cantonment, Florida

From NorthEstambia.com of January 20, 2010

Homeowner Shoots At Intruder With Shotgun

A homeowner shot at an intruder Tuesday night in Cantonment, and deputies are still searching for the suspect.

About 6:30, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department responded to the home in the 1800 block of Wareham Way. That’s where a homeowner says he shot at a man trying to get into his house. Deputies don’t believe the homeowner’s shotgun blast hit the intruder, but they were not completely certain.

The intruder was not found.

Warem Way is a small cul-de-sac located off Louis Street, just south of International Paper.

Fort Myers, Florida

From the News-Press of December 29, 2009

Would-be robber shot dead in Fort Myers ID’d

Fort Myers police have confirmed that a shooting Monday night at an apartment complex near the Edison Mall during an attempted robbery has left one of the assailants dead and the would-be robbery victim wounded.

The shootings and attempted robbery took place outside on the second floor of the Sundance Grove apartments off East Mall Drive.

Fort Myers police Capt. Dennis Eads said one of the two robbers was shot in the head and killed by the would-be robbery victim, who was armed.

The other robber fled the scene and is considered armed and dangerous. He’s described as a large man dressed in all black, and police believe he may be hiding at a residence in the area. Read the rest of this entry

Palm Beach, Florida

From the Palm Beach Post of December 15, 2009

Wheelchair-bound Marion County man shoots home invader to death

Eyewitness News talked to a 62-year-old wheelchair-bound man who shot and killed a man who tried to force his way into his home.

Gary Wroblewski says he was watching television in the Silver Springs Shores neighborhood off County Road 464 late Monday night when someone knocked on his door.

Wroblewski slightly cracked open the door and found a man claiming he needed help with his broken down car. He says he was immediately suspicious of the man and his story.

“So I went and got my gun. I held it behind the door and I opened the door,” said Wroblewski.

Wroblewski says he tried to send the man away and suggested he go to another house or call AAA. He says that is when another man, this one wearing a mask, appeared out of nowhere and forced his door open.

Wroblewski was knocked out his wheelchair but was able to hold onto his gun and shot the masked invader.

“I fired three shots,” recalled Wroblewski.

“Obviously you hit one of them,” said a photojournalist.

“Yeah, severely,” said Wroblewski.

Wroblewski says it took him ten minutes to get back into his wheelchair. Once he did, he went to a neighbor’s house and asked them to call 911.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has not released the name of the suspect who was killed. The other suspect got away.

The sheriff’s office has not said whether the homeowner will face any charges. He is likely protected by Florida’s Castle Doctrine.

Palm Bay, Florida

From December 2, 2009 WFTV channel 9:

PALM BAY, Fla. — Some accused teen burglars are lucky to be alive, police say, after they broke into a Brevard County house whose homeowner had guns. Investigators say they are working to find out if the teenagers are responsible for any of the dozens of home break-ins plaguing Palm Bay in the past few weeks.

The homeowner told Eyewitness News the suspects are his son’s friends.

Officers said the suspects broke into the house on Sanger Street in Palm Bay (see map) with a neighbor sitting right outside watching their every move. Homeowner Rodney Halfhide says he was taking a nap in his bedroom when he got the rude awakening around 10:00am Wednesday morning.

“The screen popped out then I heard the blinds move and that was it, she was inside the house. I was like, ‘What?’” he described.

Halfhide immediately grabbed his handgun next to his bed and chased the girl out the back door of his house. Then, Halfhide says, she and another teenager ran down the street. Halfhide said he knew he was within his right to shoot, but didn’t.

“The gun scared them away and they ran. They ran fast,” he said.

Officers in the area immediately recognized the description of the pair as two teenagers recently suspended from Bayside High School. Whell Clerisier and Laquarious Dorsey were found at a house around the block and arrested.

Orange County, Florida

From December 2, 2009 WFTV channel 9:

An Orange County couple is recovering from a terrifying shoot-out with a robber. The couple was jumped at the gate of their Ocoee subdivision late Tuesday night, not far from the Gas Food and Go convenience store they own on Silver Star Road in Pine Hills.

The husband was back at work Wednesday afternoon and he had two wounds on his forehead. His wife was in the hospital recovering after getting shot once in the shoulder.

The couple was heading home after a night of work when they were ambushed. As Phai Chanh entered a code into the gate keypad at Willows on the Lakes subdivision, a man dressed in black with a red mask jumped from the bushes. The suspect hit the man in the head with the butt of his gun and knocked him out. The impact of the gun hitting the man also caused the gun to fire a shot through the windshield.

“He’s approached by a subject with a handgun. He is hit in the forehead with the butt of the handgun. As he’s hit, the gun goes off and through the windshield,” said Sgt. Mike Bryant, Ocoee Police Department.

Police said the robber ran to the passenger side and tried to grab a bag of cash from Phai’s wife, Thach. Officers said the robber struggled with Thach and his gun fired once, hitting her in the right shoulder. Her husband woke up and fought back with his gun. “He has two guns on him. He pulls one and aims it at the bad guy,” Bryant said. The robber took off without the bag of cash. The victims drove home and called 911.

Miami, Florida

From CBS4 of November 30, 2009

Catering Co. Owner Shot Man In Self Defense

A Miami catering company turned into a crime scene Monday morning after police and paramedics rushed to help a man who had been shot.

The man was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, according to Miami Fire Spokesman Ignatius Carroll.

The shooting occurred sometime after 9 a.m. inside Yolene Catering on the 5900 block of Northwest Second Avenue. Yolene Francois, the owner, told CBS4’s Tiffani Helberg that her husband shot a man in self defense. She said the man had worked for them briefly. He allegedly came in demanding money and picked up a chair as if to strike him. That’s when the owner allegedly shot the man, Francois said.

Miami-Dade police say the owner who shot the former employee won’t face charges because he shot in self defense. The former employee who allegedly assaulted the husband may face charges.

From Chopper 4, a man was seen in handcuffs. Other officers had their cruisers parked outside the business.

Clermont, Florida

From November 28, 2009 WFTV channel 9:

According to officials, the homeowner, 70-year-old Russell Conrad, was awakened by the sound of his truck’s horn early Saturday morning. When he went outside to investigate, he found a man inside his truck.

Conrad fired warning shots and ordered the man out of his truck twice. When the suspect finally got out of the truck, he ran towards Conrad. Conrad told officials he was in fear for his life so shot the suspect, killing him.

Melbourne, Florida

From Florida Today of November 18, 2009

Melbourne store owner shoots, wounds robber

A 70-year-old convenience store owner shot at two men who robbed him at his business Tuesday evening, injuring at least one of them.

Melbourne police said that at about 6:30 p.m. two men entered Gloco Grocery and Soul Food Deli at the corner of South Harbor City Boulevard and Jernigan Avenue and ordered food.

At one point, there was talk of exchanging a $50 bill for change with the owner of the store, identified by Melbourne police as Willie Byrd.

“Then, one of them pulled a small-caliber gun on (Byrd),” said Cmdr. Ron Bell of Melbourne police. The robbers then grabbed for an undisclosed amount of cash.

While all this was going on, Byrd reached for a .357-caliber gun and started shooting at the two robbers, police said.

Read the rest of this entry

Cocoa, Florida

From Florida Today of November 25, 2009

Store manager shoots robber

A store manager shot and wounded an armed man during an attempted robbery at a Chevron gas station near U.S. 1 and Peachtree Street on Tuesday night.

At about 9:20 p.m., a man entered the store and pointed a large-caliber handgun at the store manager and demanded money. The store manager, Sowann Suy, 40, instead pulled out a gun from below the counter and started firing.

The man was shot once in the abdomen. He did not fire his weapon and immediately left the store, collapsing in the parking lot, where Cocoa police found him when they arrived a few minutes later. Suy called 9-1-1 right after the shooting.

Police did not release the suspect’s name.

No other customers or store employees were in the station at the time of the incident.

The man, 40, was flown via helicopter to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, where he was undergoing surgery at press time. His condition was critical but stable, said Officer Barbara Matthews, police spokeswoman.

Suy is a member of a family that has owned the gas station for about five years, police said.

“He absolutely had the right to defend himself,” Matthews said.

When Suy’s wife, Tina, arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, her husband had already been taken to police headquarters for questioning. Matthews said officers reviewed the video surveillance tapes at the store to find out exactly what happened.

“I haven’t even talked to my husband yet. I don’t know exactly what is going on,” said Tina Suy, adding that the store was robbed once before since the family has owned it, in 2008.

This is the second time in a week a local store owner has shot someone trying to rob his business. The 70-year-old owner of Gloco Grocery and Soul Food Deli shot and wounded a man attempting to rob his Melbourne business Nov. 17.

Sorrento, Florida

From the November 19, 2009 Orlando Sentinel:

SORRENTO – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatal shooting of a suspected burglar by a homeowner.

The man killed Thursday was identified as Brett Lee Canada, 23, of Mount Plymouth, according to sheriff’s Sgt. John Herrell. Canada’s next of kin has been identified, Herrell said.

He said the shooting occurred soon after 3:30 a.m. on property located at 25130 Spring Hill Ave. The location is south of State Road 46 in the Sorrento area.

The property owner, Shane Biel, awoke to his alarm sounding. He looked outside and spotted a silhouette figure out by his lawn equipment trailer, Herrell said. Biel had been the victim of prior lawn-equipment theft, he said. And there have been other equipment thefts in the area recently.

The suspect had not entered the enclosed equipment trailer but was inside a fenced area.

Biel told another family member to call 911 and then he went outside to confront the suspect with his handgun. Biel told authorities that Canada moved toward him in “an aggressive manner,” and that’s when he opened fire out of fear for his safety, Herrell said.

Biel’s account appears to be consistent with investigators’ findings at the scene. Herrell said the Sheriff’s Office was familiar with Canada from earlier problems. He was wearing a black “hoodie” and had gloves when he was found. And investigators found bolt cutters at the scene that did not belong to Biel.