Armed citizens making a difference thread.

[alpacaheat]

[alpacaheat]

Marine firefighter in a Bass Pro Shops hat here, so no firearm required.

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https://wqad.com/2019/01/25/james-lo...avier-hartman/

James Love found not guilty in first-degree murder of Xavier Hartman
Posted 4:13 pm, January 25, 2019, by Luke Cleary, Updated at 04:40PM, January 25, 2019
Verdict of not guilty in James Love trial

GALESBURG, Illinois -- James Love was acquitted Friday of first-degree murder, aggravated battery and discharge of a firearm in the shooting death of Xavier Hartman last June.

Love argued that he was acting in self defense when he shot the 19-year-old in the leg in an altercation in the early morning hours of June 19th. The bullet severed Hartman's femoral artery; the autopsy showed that he died of blood loss.

The courtroom was hushed when the judge instructed the clerk to read the jury's verdict. They had returned with a decision after less than 90 minutes of deliberation.

There was little dispute about many of the facts in the case. In their closing arguments, the defense and the prosecution agreed that Love's guilt should be determined by whether or not he was justified in his actions.

Hartman and a friend had crashed a truck near Love's rural home after midnight. Love said he got his gun and went outside to see if he could help. Defense attorney Todd Ringel argued that Love was acting in self-defense against a drunk and angry Hartman, who attacked Love and kept on coming.

"Is it unreasonable to say that you're going to fear for your life?" Ringel asked the jury.

Assistant State's Attorney Andrew Stuckart painted a different picture of the events. He said the evidence shows Hartman was walking away when Love shot him.

"That was no longer self defense," Stuckart said. "He had just become the aggressor in that situation."

Hartman's family and friends, who declined to comment, appeared deflated by the jury's decision. There were no emotional outbursts; some of the victim's family were seen quietly weeping and comforting one another.

"It’s a loss for Xavier. Not for myself. Not for the State’s Attorney’s office," said Assistant State's Attorney Brian Kerr.

Love's attorney said there were no winners in this case. But, he said, the facts were on Love's side.

"I think the whole story, when you looked at it logically, reasonably, just made sense," said Ringel. "And I think those 12 at some point just went, ‘If that was me, I’d probably do the same thing.'”

The state's attorneys said while they disagreed with the jury's verdict, they respected their decision.

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https://www.mlive.com/news/2019/01/f...-be-filed.html

Fatal shooting at Inkster gas station ruled self defense, no charges will be filed
Matt Durr | mattdurr@mlive.comUpdated Jan 23; Posted Jan 23
(MLive.com file photo) (Mlive.Com)
DETROIT -- The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office has ruled a fatal shooting in Inkster Saturday was a case of self defense and no charges will be filed against the shooter.

Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s office announced the decision Wednesday, regarding the incident which took place at a Marathon gas station on Michigan Avenue, Saturday afternoon. After reviewing video evidence of the incident, it was determined the shooter was acting in self defense.

The victim in the shooting has been identified as 34-year-old Ali Salman -- also known as Ali Al Tameeemi -- of Dearborn. Salman was involved in an altercation with another man over a car in a parking lot at the gas station which turned physical.

“The investigation of this case revealed that the 25-year-old man was the initial aggressor because he punched Mr. Salman in the upper body but did not cause him to fall to the ground,” a portion of the news release. “However, the man retreated and did not have a weapon drawn. Mr. Salman had his gun drawn, when he chased and pointed his weapon at the 25-year-old and confronted him. It was only after the gun was pointed at him that the younger man pulled out his weapon and fired shots at Mr. Salman.”

In a prior news release, the Michigan State Police reported Salman was knocked to ground and lost control of his gun. But the investigation revealed Salman had control of his weapon and approached the shooter prior to being shot. The 25-year-old man involved in the shooting remained on scene and turned over his weapon to police when they arrived.

“Although the 25-year-old threw the first punch, he retreated and did not draw a weapon. Mr. Salman chased the 25-year-old man with his weapon drawn and pointed at the man” read a portion of the prosecutor’s release. “The Michigan law of self-defense is applicable in this case. The 25-year-old had the right to use deadly force to defend himself because he had a reasonable belief that imminent death or great bodily harm would occur. For this reason the warrant has been denied.”

According to WXYZ Detroit, Salman– an Iraqi-American – came to the U.S. four years ago to “in search of a better and safer life.” it was determined that he died from a gunshot to the head.

The shooter has not been identified by police or the prosecutor’s office.

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https://www.sweetwaternow.com/moose-...-self-defense/

Moose Shot on Private Property in Pinedale Ruled Self Defense
1.7KJanuary 23, 2019

Evidence shows that a bull moose shot on private property in Pinedale was done do in self defense.
PINEDALE — An antlerless bull moose was shot and killed on private property in Pinedale on Monday, January 14, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in Sublette County.

According to Sublette County Attorney Mike Crosson, the reporting party said he contacted the regional Game and Fish office himself, saying he shot the moose in self-defense.

The shooting was confirmed by Game and Fish Regional Wildlife Supervisor John Lund after game wardens and members of the Sublette County Sheriff’s Department arrived on the scene and found the moose with a fatal gunshot wound.

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“Upon completion of the ensuing investigation, based upon examination of all available physical evidence and an interview with the reporting party, it was determined by Game Wardens that the moose was shot at very close range in justifiable self-defense as it charged,” said Crosson.

After reviewing all evidence in the case and meeting with lead investigator Jordan Kraft, Crosson concurred that the shooting was legally justified under the circumstances and charges will not be filed at this time.

It appears likely that the moose had become habituated to eating the hay/alfalfa mix feed
located on the property, and was defending this food source when it charged, according to Crosson.

“Please remember that it is critical to always give moose adequate space, take reasonable preventative measures to avoid attracting them to artificial food sources, and to contact Game and Fish immediately if a moose displays any aggressive or uncharacteristic behavior so that the situation can be resolved appropriately by professionals, without injury to humans or the moose,” he added.

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This is a bizarre one. Sounds like the guy legally defended himself, then wound up being killed later on that night elsewhere. (Revenge shooting?)

https://www.komu.com/news/prosecutor...arris-shooting

Prosecutor says he wouldn't have filed charges in Ahmonta Harris shooting
COLUMBIA - Boone County Prosecutor Dan Knight on Wednesday released the results of his investigation into the shooting death of Ahmonta Harris in November.

According to the Boone County Sheriff's Department, Harris was shot and killed while trying to rob a home on Limoges Drive. Social media posts following the shooting identified Deonte Gainwell as possibly the person who shot Harris.

Gainwell was later shot and killed at a home on Weymeyer Drive. No arrests have been made or suspects identified in that case.

In a letter from Knight to the Boone County Sheriff's Department, Knight confirmed Gainwell shot Harris to death, and, if had Gainwell had not later been killed himself, Knight's office would not have pursued criminal charges against him.

According to the letter, Gainwell told deputies he woke up in his room at the Limoges address on November 24 to find Harris there, pointing a gun with a laser sight at him and demanding money.

Gainwell said he shot Harris a number of times. An autopsy report showed Harris had five bullet wounds, including three in the head.

Knight said the chaotic shot pattern supports Gainwell's claims.

"I think that the evidence, actually, from the autopsy, supports , absolutely supports Gainwell’s statement that he was doing this in response to this threat of force from Ahmonta Harris," he said.

Knight's letter said evidence from the scene suggest someone, believed to be Harris, climbed their way through the open window into Gainwell's room.

Knight concluded Gainwell had the right to use self-defense, because "the evidence in this case clearly shows that Harris unlawfully entered Gainwell's residence and attempted to rob Gainwell before Gainwell shot Harris."

Some people had told investigators Harris went to Gainwell's home to sell him concert tickets, but deputies said they found no evidence of communication between the two men or anything else to back up those claims.

Knight said there was no indication the two men had any intention to meet or that Harris would go to Gainwell's home for any reason.

Harris had past convictions for assault and property damage. Harris also was known for organizing an event dubbed the "Fireworks War" in which people battled with roman candles and whatever else they stockpiled before the Fourth of July holiday. Harris described the event as a way to bring people together, but law enforcement decried it as dangerous.

Knight noted Harris took steps to conceal his presence in the area: wearing dark, identity-obscuring clothes, parking out of sight and turning off his cell phone, which could not then be tracked.

The prosecutor's letter finished by saying, "Since there is no probable cause to believe Gainwell committed a crime by shooting Harris, he would not have been charged for the shooting."

Knight said he felt inclined to release his review because of a significant public interest in the case.

Police spokesman Jeff Pitts said the investigation is ongoing and that there have been no arrests in Gainwell's death. He said "police are looking at all the different avenues and if a link does come up, they will look into that further." He said he could not comment further about the case and whether Gainwell's death is believed to be retaliatory.

Gainwell's death is not the only instance of violence to follow Harris' death. Gunfire erupted during the funeral for Harris. Prosecutors have charged an 18-year-old with unlawful use of a weapon in the incident.

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https://www.hollandsentinel.com/news...driver-dropped

Charges against pizza delivery driver dropped
Audra Gamble Most Popular Our Picks
HOLLAND — Charges against a Hamilton man have been dropped after he allegedly pulled a gun on a customer while he delivered a pizza.

David Lee Yskes, 42, allegedly pulled a gun on a customer around 7 p.m. Oct. 1, 2018, after a “verbal exchange” in the 700 block of East 40th Street. He was a delivery driver for Jet’s Pizza in Holland.

Yskes was charged with misdemeanor assault, which is punishable by up to 93 days in jail and/or up to a $500 fine. After the altercation, another Jet’s Pizza employee remade the pizza and delivered it free of charge to the customer. Yskes, who has a concealed carry pistol license, was fired.

The Holland Police Department said Yskes’ story of what happened didn’t match the story the alleged victim told police.

“Both people involved have a different version of what was said and what happened,” said Holland Police Capt. Keith Mulder.

“Investigating officers did determine that the Jet’s employee did pull a handgun on the reporting person. The two people involved had different versions of what happened that led up to the gun being pointed at the reporting person.”

While in court via a video feed at his arraignment, Yskes said he felt he acted in self defense. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Yskes was scheduled to appear in court Jan. 24 for a bench trial in front of Judge Susan Jonas, but the Ottawa County Prosecutor’s Office dropped the charge the same day, dismissing the case against Yskes.

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http://fox26medford.com/no-charges-a...ense-shooting/

No charges against elderly man in self-defense shooting
by Miles Furuichi January 15, 2019 5:48 pm
GRANTS PASS, Ore.– The Josephine County District Attorney’s Office will not be charging a Grants Pass homeowner who shot and killed a man on his property in the fall.

District Attorney Ryan Mulkins said the use of deadly force was justified under Oregon law. But while the criminal case appears closed, the victim’s widow says the fight isn’t over.

“His conduct was within the parameters of Oregon law and therefore charges would not be appropriate,” said Mulkins.

Robert Barry, 58, was found by police at an elderly couple’s home on Foothill Boulevard in Grants Pass back in October. The couple told police it was self-defense but Barry’s wife says he was simply looking for help after his car broke down.

The DA said the 77-year old husband told police he thought Barry he looked like a transient and appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Mulkins says the homeowner asked Barry what he wanted several times and got no response.

“He’s telling him, ‘Get out of here, get off my property,'” said Mulkins. “He advises Mr. Barry that he’s armed with a firearm and he needs to leave.”

After warning Barry repeatedly that he had a gun, and fearing for both his and his wife’s safety, Mulkins says the elderly man shot Barry from 10 feet away. Mulkins called the shooting justified.

“Under Oregon law, a citizen is allowed to use deadly physical force to prevent the attempted commission of a burglary in their home,” he said.

Barry’s car was found about a mile away on I-5 at milepost 52, between Rogue River and Grants Pass. Oregon State Police told Fox26 News during the investigation that Barry visited another home that night as well.

“He was at another property earlier, he didn’t ask for help at that property,” said Sgt. Jeff Proulx, Oregon State Police. “In fact, he didn’t say anything.”

Fox26 also spoke with Barry’s widow, Judy, in November. She said she didn’t understand why someone would shoot her husband.

“There is no reason to walk on your front porch and shoot a man on your front porch at 6 o’clock at night,” she said.

She wasn’t available to talk on camera Tuesday but said over the phone she’s not putting the incident behind her just yet, she’s now planning to hire a lawyer to seek out justice on her own.

Fox26 News is choosing not to name the homeowners because they aren’t being charged in the case.

According to the DA’s office – Barry had both prescription pain medicine and a muscle relaxer in his system at the time of his death.

[internet troll]

http://www.wlox.com/2019/01/15/one-p...tment-complex/

Police: Fatal Pascagoula shooting could be self-defense
A man was killed at the Lodge Apartments Tuesday morning

By Lindsay Knowles and Doug Walker January 15, 2019 at 9:25 AM CST - Updated January 16 at 8:46 AM
PASCAGOULA, MS (WLOX) - Shots fired, a man dies and two schools are placed on lockdown in the aftermath of a deadly confrontation. It all unfolded Tuesday morning at the Lodge Apartments on Eden Street in Pascagoula.

Capt. Doug Adams confirmed the shooting happened at 8:34 a.m.

A deadly shooting in Pascagoula leaves one mad dead, another in custody
A deadly shooting in Pascagoula leaves one mad dead, another in custody (Photo Source: WLOX)
“It appears that the victim was shot twice and died there on the scene at the Lodge,” said Capt. Adams.

Joseph Edward Buckley, 25, was taken into custody for questioning. No charges have been filed at this time as police continue to investigate.

“We still have several more people that we’d like to interview, but it appears that it is a domestic situation,” Capt. Adams explained, adding that it may have been done in self-defense.

The motive behind the shooting remains unclear.

Apartment residents stood by, shocked by what they saw. No one wanted to be interviewed on camera but all said the complex is a nice place to live, a feeling backed up by Adams.

“This is highly unusual to have something like that happen there. It’s a very nice quiet neighborhood,” he said.

Police are investigating after a person was killed Tuesday morning at a Pascagoula apartment complex.
Police are investigating after a person was killed Tuesday morning at a Pascagoula apartment complex. (Photo source: WLOX)
The name of the victim has not yet been released.

Per protocol, a brief lockdown was put in place at Colmer Middle School, which is next door to the apartments, and at Jackson Elementary School, which is one street over. That lockdown has been lifted, according to Pascagoula-Gautier School District, and all students are secure.

Now the city is left to deal with a violent aftermath that normally doesn’t happen here, according to Adams.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a domestic shooting like this," said Capt. Adams. “Most of ours, the shootings we’ve had is mostly dope deals gone bad or something of that nature. So, this is kind of unusual for us in town.”

The evidence is being turned over to the grand jury, who will decide whether any charges will be filed.

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http://www.mysuncoast.com/2019/01/08...-commissioner/

Palmetto City Commission back to work following recent self defense shooting involving commissioner
Rick Adams
SARASOTA (WWSB) - It’s back to work for Commissioner Brian Williams and the rest of the Palmetto City Commission. This following a shooting in self defense involving Williams last month.

“The circumstances of this particular incident were pretty cut and dry and allowed for a pretty quick conclusion about whether the use of force was justified," said Chief Scott Tyler with the Palmetto Police Department. "And we believe the commissioner was defending his home and his family.”

Williams was home with his daughter on Riverside Drive. He opened fire on Avelino Vasquez-Perez after the suspect forced his way into Williams' garage, attempting to break into his home. Two bullets struck Vasquez-Perez and he was then captured by police. Although Williams is not yet talking about the ordeal including at today’s workshop and commissioner’s meeting, Palmetto mayor Shirley Groover Bryant is praising Williams and grateful that no one was killed.

“It does sound as if Commissioner Williams acted appropriately and he did stand up and he stepped in and protected his family, which I think all of us would do,” said Groover Bryant.

Vasquez-Perez is charged with burglary, battery and resisting arrest. He will also face traffic charges after being seen driving recklessly and crashing into a home on 4th Street West. He is out of the hospital and out of jail after posting bail. Chief Tyler says they will be keeping a close eye on Vasquez Perez, who lives right around the corner from Williams.

“We’re just doing extra patrol around the neighborhood and talking with people and just that extra presence that will hopefully give people presence of mind,” said Tyler.