Decatur, Georgia

From MyFoxAtlanta of February 24, 2010

Decatur Man Shoots Burglary Suspect

A Decatur homeowner will not be charged for shooting an intruder Wednesday morning. DeKalb County police said 40-year-old Dexter Tucker was justified in shooting a 17-year-old who broke into his home.

Tucker said he had run the scenario of an intruder in his mind many times before, but he never thought it would actually happen.

Tucker said he was asleep when he heard knocking at the front door. The Decatur man said he peered through the shades but didn’t answer the door.

“Then he started beating on the door,” Tucker recalled.

Tucker said he saw a young man run to the back door and that’s when he grabbed his gun.

“I couldn’t believe he was kicking in my door and it took him like four kicks to get in so by the time he got in I was ready for him,” Tucker said.

Tucker said he shot the intruder three times, striking him once in the thigh. The homeowner said he then saw another young man running away.

Neighbor Vermail Harris said she saw someone running away and getting into a car down the road.

“He ended up hopping in a car so I gave [the police] a description of the vehicle he got in and they found him later.

Tucker said the teens left their car when they fled. Police later arrested a 17-year-old male and a 16-year-old girl in a stolen car not far away.

Police said they suspect the teens who were arrested might be responsible for other crimes in the area.

The three teens involved face burglary and other charges.

Police said Tucker rightfully defended his home.

Henry, Georgia

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution of February 5, 2010

Intruder killed by homeowner in Henry County

A Henry County homeowner shot and killed an intruder Friday during a predawn home invasion, police said.

Henry police Capt. Jason Bolton said three men got out of a dark-colored truck along Hill Lane in Ellenwood just before 5:30 a.m. and forced their way through the front door of a house occupied by a man, his wife and two teenage children.

“Once inside, one of the suspects exchanged gunfire with the homeowner,” Bolton told the AJC. “The suspect was shot and killed by the homeowner.”

The two other men fled in the truck “believed to be driven by another suspect who remained in the truck,” Bolton said.

Neither the homeowner, nor his wife or children was injured. They were being interviewed by investigators at mid-morning Friday.

“Detectives are trying to learn why these victims were targeted,” Bolton told the AJC.

Bolton said “multiple shots” were fired during the incident. Sadarrevin Kendrick, 20, who lives next door, said he heard five gunshots.

“At first I heard two and thought it was over,” Kendrick said. “Then there were three more. Boom, boom, boom.”

Thanks to Will for sending in the tip!

Stone Mountain, Georgia

From 11alive of January 15, 2010

Homeowner Fires Shots At Home Invaders

DeKalb police say a homeowner fired ‘a few shots’ at two armed men who forced their way into his Field Glen Road home late Thursday night.

The man told police the intruders tied him up and ransacked the house. He was able to call his girlfriend who called 911.

Police say the suspects fled on foot just before officers arrived. As they ran away, the homeowner fired shots at them, but hit no one.

Police say a third male, driving a light colored Impala, may have picked up the fleeing suspects.

Bibb County, Georgia

From the Macon Telegraph of January 7, 2010

Bibb man shoots attacking dogs; no charges filed

A Bibb County man told sheriff’s deputies he killed two stray pit bulls in self-defense Sunday evening, according to a sheriff’s report.

The report said the man went to feed his animals outside his Jeffersonville Road residence when he was aggressively approached by a pit bull. The man got a shotgun from his house and fired at the dog, missing it. The dog fled the scene.
Click here to find out more!

As the man approached his animal pen, he saw a second pit bull that tried to attack him and he shot it once, killing it, the report stated. He found a third pit bull in the pen and shot it as well. The man told deputies the dogs killed three of his hogs and a cow.

No charges have been filed against the man.

Thanks to Panda Bear for the date corrections!

Morrow, Georgia

From December 11, 2009 Atlanta CBS affiliate:

MORROW, Ga. — Police say a 76-year-old man shot at an armed robber, but the man got away. Now police need your help in finding him.Bill Dowis says he was terrified. He sells firewood off of his porch. For the past couple of days, two men have been showing up to buy firewood. On the third day, the suspect asked to wash his hands and the Korean War veteran let him in.

“He was standing here and he pulled the pistol out and cocked it and said ‘give me your money.’ I said ‘I got none here, the money is down the hall,’” Dowis said.

So, they walked down the hall and into one of his bedrooms where the man filled his pockets with so much money his pants fell down, Dowis said. That’s when the victim says the robber ordered Dowis to give him a pillow case.

“I was so scared, my heart was beating so bad it was about to go off the top of my head,” Dowis said.

The suspect ordered him onto his knees and made him face the wall. Dowis thought he was going to be killed. So as the man drug the pillow case full of money into the living room, Dowis grabbed a .357 magnum out of the night stand. He walked into the hallway about 20 feet away from the suspect as he came back for more money. Dowis fired a single round, missing the armed robber by what Dowis said was inches.

The bullet went through a wall, out a cabinet, split in two, and then went through two more walls.“I just wish I would have hit him. I mean I don’t want to kill nobody, but that guy doesn’t deserve to run around and do people like he does you know,” Dowis said.

Atlanta, Georgia

From December 5, 2009 WSB channel 2:

ATLANTA — A gunman was recovering at Grady Memorial Hospital Saturday after he was wounded during an armed robbery at a liquor store, Atlanta police said.Investigators said a 21-year-old store clerk was killed during the robbery.

It happened shortly before 10 p.m. Friday at the Moreland Package Store on Moreland Avenue in east Atlanta.

Investigators said a man walked into the store and pulled a handgun on the clerk, demanding money.Police said the clerk was shot in the stomach and buttocks, and later died at the scene.

Investigators said the store’s owner was in the back of the store and heard the clerk shout, ‘I’ve been shot.’ Police said the owner came out to the front with his own gun and exchanged gunfire with the robber, shooting the perpetrator in arm and leg.Police said the perpetrator fled on foot and was arrested a block away on Mortimer Street by officers in the area.

Clayton County, Georgia

From the MyFoxAtlanta of December 8, 2009

Clayton Man Pulls Gun on Would-be Robber

Two men who robbed an elderly Clayton County man got more than they bargained for, after they bluffed their way into the man’s home. Police say the victim surprised the men by pulling out his own weapon.

Homeowner Bill Dowis said he sells firewood out of his home. The two suspects bought wood from Dowis Tuesday. Dowis said one of the men asked to wash his hands and when he returned he pointed a gun at Dowis.

While one of the men went through the home looking for money, Dowis said he pulled out his own pistol and shot at one of the men.

Dowis said he shot at the man twice more as he fled the house to a waiting car.

Albany, Georgia

From November 16, 2009 WALB-TV channel 10:

Police say around 11:30 p.m. two armed robbers held up three men and woman as they got out of a car. But it wasn’t just the robbers who were armed, so was one of the victims.

“We do know that the victims were robbed at gunpoint and at some point there was gunfire exchanged,” said Phyllis Banks-Whitley, Albany Police media manager.

A shootout began when one of the three male robbery victims pulled his own gun and began firing at the suspects. One of the armed robbers took off running while the other returned fire. But it was the suspect who found himself on the receiving end of a bullet. He was pronounced dead a short time later at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.

Despite a barrage a of gunfire, none of the victims were struck. They were taken in for questioning at the Law Enforcement Center downtown.

“These people were coming home when they were approached by these suspects who were armed and demanded money. They were able to get a couple of items from them,” said Banks-Whitley.

Griffen, Georgia

From MyFoxAtlanta of October 8, 2009

Bank Manager Pulls Gun on Armed Robber

A former bank manager said Thursday that a life or death decision got him fired. The manager said he pulled a gun on a bank robber and fired shots at him, forcing the robber to flee. Police credited the manager’s actions to the arrest of the suspect William Hunt.

Wesley Hallman said it was common knowledge that he carried a pistol. The former manger said he felt safer with the gun when he opened the bank.

Hallman said when he saw a would-be robber holding a gun in an employee’s face, he challenged the man with his gun.

The robber turned, so Hallman said he fired a shot. The robber fired a shot, ran and then fired two more shots

Hallman said he was called into the bank the next day and fired. Hallman said there is a bank policy that employees can’t carry weapons. The former branch manager said he knew violated company policy but he didn’t violate the law.

Albany, Georgia

From WALB of October 5, 2009

11 year old shoots at home invader

An 11 year old Albany boy fired a shot during a home invasion last night.

The boy shot a .357 magnum at a gunman who came into his house.

The 11-year old told Police about 7:15 Wednesday night that several juveniles kicked in the back door at his home in the 200 block of Tremont Avenue.

He said a boy with a pistol came into the house and pointed the gun at him.

That’s when the 11-year old fired the .357. He said that scared the home invader off.

The Gang Unit is investigating because they think it could be gang related. They are not releasing the 11-year old’s name for his protection.

Gainesville, Georgia

From the October 2, 2009 Gainesville Times:

Carlos Moz never denied he shot a man in the head, but he claimed it was to defend himself and his brother.

On Thursday, a jury agreed, finding Moz, 34, not guilty of aggravated assault.

The Hall County Superior Court jury deliberated for less than an hour before acquitting Moz of the felony charge, which carried a sentencing range of one to 20 years.

The man Moz shot, 21-year-old Nathan Tony Monson, was released from a hospital just days after sustaining a bullet wound in front of his left ear. He survived the shooting with some hearing loss but no other permanent injuries, according to Brett Willis, the assistant circuit defender who successfully defended Moz.

Willis said his client fired the shot from a legally owned 9 mm handgun on the night of Oct. 1, 2006, after his client?s older brother was severely beaten by an unruly mob of at least six
teenagers in front of California Records, a store next to the Kangaroo convenience store on Park Hill Drive.

The beating victim, Juan Moz, was injured by large chunks of asphalt hurled at him by “a group of ne?er-do-wells harassing a couple of guys who were just walking,” Willis said.

The Moz brothers were walking home from a baby shower they attended at the Glen Cove apartments when they were attacked, Willis said.

The prosecution sought to show Juan Moz was confronted after he made advances on a young girl at the apartment complex, but Moz denied that allegation.

While down on the ground, Juan Moz was kicked in the face by a teenage girl who was charged and later prosecuted in juvenile court, Willis said.

During the beating, Carlos Moz, a legal permanent resident who lived across the street at the Versaille apartments, retrieved his gun, Willis said.

When he returned to the front of the store, Monson made a threatening motion toward Carlos Moz and made the statement that he was “looking for who was next,” according to Willis. Monson was then shot.

Shortly afterward, police were called to the Moz apartment regarding the beating of Juan Moz. When they arrived, Carlos Moz told police he fired the shot and showed them where the gun was.

Wayne County, Georgia

From the Sun-Sentinel of August 11, 2009

Homeowner kills 3-year-old black bear

Westley, the wandering black bear, whose journeys brought him too close to homes in Wellington and Weston earlier this year, has died in southeast Georgia, wildlife officials said. He was 3.

Westley, estimated to weigh 200 pounds, was killed by a homeowner Saturday with a shotgun after he damaged property and wandered in a residential neighborhood in western Wayne County, said Melissa Cummings, a spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

“It’d been trying to get into homes, pounding on garages and attempting to get through doors,” Cummings said. “The bear had become too accustomed to people.”

According to the Florida Times-Union, a homeowner named Ken Boyette saw Westley in his neighborhood Saturday, uncomfortably close to where children were riding bicycles and playing football. He shot Westley, killing him instantly.

“I didn’t have a choice. He had no fear of humans,” Boyette told the Times-Union. “I was afraid it was going to hurt one of the kids or someone else.”

The wandering bear first made headlines in April when a Weston family spotted him foraging near the backyard in their gated community. No live bear had been seen in Broward County in three decades.

Westley popped up around Weston a few more times, surprising morning joggers and prompting a school lockdown when students saw him prowling near Manatee Bay Elementary School.

A Sun Sentinel contest to name the bear received nearly 400 entries. Readers eventually chose Westley in a SunSentinel.com poll.

State wildlife officials caught Westley in May and relocated him to Picayune Strand State Forest in Collier County, where most black bears in Florida are found.

But Westley wouldn’t stay put for long. He made his way to Wellington in June, where he was again captured and this time sent upstate to Osceola National Forest.

Last month, he showed up at Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island, in the Jacksonville area, where he bothered no one, said Florida Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Gabriella Ferraro.

From there he crossed the St. Marys River and visited the town of St. Marys in southeastern Georgia.

Westley had an ear tag, SO11, letting officials know it was the same animal that had wandered through South Florida, Ferraro said.

Though Georgia authorities noticed the tag when they captured him in St. Marys early last week, they didn’t know the animal had crossed state lines.

Georgia has a “three strikes” policy when it comes to bears roaming around cities: they can be captured and released two times, but they’re killed if they’re caught a third time, Cummings said. Authorities say they would have put down Westley had they known his Florida history.

Narrowly missing that scrape with death, Westley wasn’t so lucky the next time he wandered into a town a few days later.

After he was killed, Georgia wildlife officials disposed of his body in a landfill, Cummings said.

“Some bears wander around looking for suitable territory,” Cummings said. “A few others are moving bears: they never establish their territory and keep moving, never finding the home they’re looking for. This bear could’ve been that kind.”

G

Dekalb County, Georgia

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution of August 3, 2009

Lithonia schoolteacher exchanges gunfire with carjackers

A DeKalb County schoolteacher carjacked early Sunday scored a measure of revenge against his attackers — thanks in part to their poor sense of direction.

Derek Harper, 47, had just returned to his Lithonia home around 1:15 a.m. when two unidentified gunmen surprised him from behind, forcing the Evansdale Elementary teacher out of his car and onto the ground, demanding money.

?After they figured out I didn?t have any cash on me they got into my van,? he said. His narrow garage helped Harper sneak away.

?One of them was having trouble getting into the passenger?s side, so while he was doing that I took off,? said Harper, also the assistant track coach at Stephenson High.

As he ran the gunmen started firing, striking Harper once in the arm before speeding off in his van, heading directly toward a dead end on Phillips Place.

Knowing they?d be forced to turn around, Harper ran inside and grabbed his .380 pistol.

?I was waiting for them,? he said. Harper estimates he fired two to three bullets, which might have contributed to the driver crashing the van less than a block away. A small amount of blood was found inside the vehicle.

?It?s badly damaged,? said Harper, who was to have returned to work Monday following the summer break. He?s home recovering instead.

His neighborhood is ?fairly quiet,? he said. ?Everyone sticks together.?

While some high-profile carjackings have captured headlines in the city of Atlanta, DeKalb Police spokeswoman Mekka Parish said she has not heard of any in her jurisdiction for several months.

Regardless, Harper said he was surprised to end up a victim.

?I drive a minivan,? he said. ?It?s nothing special.?

An arrest was made in the case late Monday morning. Parish said the name is being withheld due to the ongoing investigation.

Macon, Georiga

From Macon.com of August 5, 2009

Accused robber shot by Macon store employee

A 19-year-old man has been charged with aggravated assault and armed robbery in connection with a Saturday night robbery at a Fort Hill neighborhood store, Macon police said.

Laadrian Javonte Wilson is being held at the Bibb County jail without bond, according to jail records.

Three men entered the store at 406 Woolfolk St., at about 10:30 p.m., according to a police report.

One of the men pointed a gun at a store worker. A second store worker picked up a shotgun. He and the alleged robbers fired shots at each other, according to the report.

The three men ran north on Woolfolk Street. Minutes later, police received a radio call about a man with a gunshot wound at The Medical Center of Central Georgia, according to the report.

Sgt. Melanie Hofmann said Wilson was shot in the buttocks and was arrested at about 4 p.m. Monday upon his release from the hospital.

Atlanta, Georgia

From July 28, 2009 channel 11:

ATLANTA (AP) — Police say a man who shot and killed his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend was acting in self defense.

The shooting happened just after 3 p.m. Monday at an apartment in the 2,000 block of Lenox Road.

Atlanta police Maj. Renee Propes said the shooting victim waited outside his ex-girlfriend’s apartment until her new boyfriend came home. Propes said the man attacked the new boyfriend and the fight continued into the apartment, where the new boyfriend shot and killed the ex-boyfriend.

Propes said charges aren’t likely to be filed.