Armed citizens making a difference thread.

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https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/new...7933e40d0.html

Washington County grand jury determines fatal August shooting was self defense
A Washington County grand jury determined a deadly August shooting in the parking lot of a convenience store was self-defense after the victim of a beating shot the man who assaulted him, District Attorney General Ken Baldwin confirmed Friday.

Randall M. *Randy* Gardner, 56, 1915 Marbleton Road, Unicoi, was killed in the shooting. It happened Aug. 25 in the parking lot of Crossroads Country Store near where the road intersects with Tenn. Highways 67 and 107.

Baldwin had previously said there was an altercation between the two men that day, but he was able to release more details Friday after the grand jury concluded it was a case of self-defense.

*I was there (at the grand jury proceeding), but I did not present any information to the grand jury,* Baldwin said. The grand jury heard evidence from Washington County Sheriff*s Investigator Jeremy Kite, he said.

*He spent right at two hours presenting the investigation to the grand jury. I was present. He played videos and statements and even did a PowerPoint for the grand jury and he told them about all the various pieces of evidence that he had gathered.*

The complicated case boiled down to Gardner believing that Ray Shelton, the man who killed Gardner, was involved with Gardner*s ex-girlfriend. They had apparently broken up months prior to the shooting, but Gardner was apparently angry because he thought his friend and his ex-girlfriend were involved.

*(Gardner) thought Mr. Shelton and the ex-girlfriend had gotten together and he was very angry about it,* Baldwin said. *It was not true. There were texts that would indicate that nothing like that occurred. It was all accusations.*

Gardner and Shelton had known each other for years, Baldwin said, and often sold and bought weapons from or for each other. The day of the shooting, the men were meeting for Shelton to give Gardener $800 for two guns Shelton had sold for him.

Baldwin, on Friday, relayed what Kite told the grand jury about the investigation.

Shelton was in his truck with his seatbelt on when Gardner pulled up *almost window-to-window facing the opposite direction,* Baldwin said. Gardner got out of his truck and walked over to Shelton and got the money. Shelton also returned a rifle to Gardner he had tried to sell for him, but was unable to get the price Gardner wanted for it.

*Mr. Gardner sees that Mr. Shelton has a handgun that he wanted to sell and Mr. Gardner asked to see the weapon.*

Shelton checked the weapon to make sure it was not loaded, and handed it to Gardner.

*Mr. Gardner takes the handgun, looked at it and begins to pistol whip Mr. Shelton with it. (Gardner) smashed Mr. Shelton in the face with it,* Baldwin said.

Shelton, who has a legal handgun carry permit, pulled out a weapon and raised it up and shot twice. One hit Gardner in the arm, and the fatal shot hit him in the right side.

*He fired two shots while he*s being assaulted,* Baldwin said. Gardner collapsed. He said Shelton got out of the vehicle, told a customer at the store and called 911. He put the gun and his cell phone on the hood of his truck (and) that*s where the investigators found the weapon and cellphone when they arrived.*

Baldwin said the investigation revealed that Gardner was angry at Shelton and he indicated to more than one person that he was going to do bodily harm to Shelton at some point in time.

*Of course, Mr. Shelton didn*t know that,* Baldwin said.

With the decision made by the grand jury on Friday, the case was closed, Baldwin said.

[internet troll]

https://patch.com/california/lakeels...g-lake-mathews

No Arrests In Fatal 'Self Defense' Shooting: Lake Mathews
"During the confrontation, the property owner feared for their safety and their family's safety and used a firearm against the assailant."

Posted Sun, Jan 24, 2021 at 6:14 pm PT
The former resident, Ned Cornish, 39, of Perris, was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts from first responders.
The former resident, Ned Cornish, 39, of Perris, was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts from first responders. (Shutterstock)
LAKE MATHEWS, CA — A property owner shot and killed a former resident in self-defense during an altercation in the unincorporated community of Lake Mathews, sheriff's officials said Sunday.

It happened at 9:10 p.m. Thursday in the 21000 block of Harford Park Lane, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Sgt. Richard Carroll said the former resident physically threatened the property owner.

"During the confrontation, the property owner feared for their safety and their family's safety and used a firearm against the assailant," he said.

The former resident, Ned Cornish, 39, of Perris, was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts from first responders.

Because the shooting appears to have been in self-defense, sheriff's officials said no arrests have been made, though the investigation is ongoing.

[internet troll]

https://flatheadbeacon.com/2020/09/1...-self-defense/

County Attorney: Montana Shooting Death Was Self-Defense
September 16, 2020
Chad Rockman, 43, of Billings died of a single gunshot wound to the chest April 8

By Associated Press

BILLINGS * A Montana county attorney does not plan to press charges in a shooting death categorized as self-defense.

Chad Rockman, 43, of Billings died of a single gunshot wound to the chest April 8 in an area off Highway 212, The Billings Gazette reports.

Carbon County Attorney Alex Nixon issued a letter to county Sheriff Josh McQuillan explaining the reasoning for not prosecuting the male shooter, who was identified only as J.H.

Rockman and a friend drove to Lake Fork Trail to hike and later asked a pair of hikers to help free their car, which was stuck in a snowbank, Nixon wrote in the letter.

J.H. and a female companion identified as T.H. tried to help but Rockman became agitated by the couple*s dog.

The dog *became a catalyst for Rockman*s escalating behavior,* Nixon wrote.

Rockman picked up a large stick and repeatedly threatened to kill the dog before following the couple to their car, shattering the rear window and assaulting J.H.

T.H. used bear spray on Rockman to no effect and J.H. ultimately pulled out a handgun and ordered Rockman to stop.

J.H. fired a shot near Rockman*s leg in an unsuccessful attempt to deter him and then shot Rockman in the chest, killing him.

The testimonies given by the two hikers and Rockman*s friend were consistent, Nixon wrote.

*J.H. took several different measures to extricate himself from the situation,*

[internet troll]

https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/cr...c2b289edd.html

Deputies: Christmas shooting was self-defense; father dies of heart trouble after shooting
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Airline Highway house 2
The house at 1347 E. Airline Highway in rural Waterloo where a man was shot and killed by his father Dec. 25.
Andrew Wind
WATERLOO — An man who shot and killed his adult son on Christmas Day in rural Waterloo did so in self-defense, sheriff’s deputies say. The father died Monday from cardiac arrest.

The case was handed over to prosecutors, and the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday the shooting was justified. No charges were filed.

Deputies and paramedics were called to the home on East Airline Highway around 4:30 p.m. Friday on a report of an argument and shooting.

Deputies said the father, 69-year-old David Buck, who lives at the home with his wife of 44 years and was in frail medical condition, had been in an argument with 43-year-old Chad Buck, their son who had been living at the house.

“The altercation was heated and progressed to a point in which David Buck was concerned for his safety and for his life,” Capt. Mark Herbst said in a prepared statement.

Chad Buck threatened to kill his father, and David Buck shot him with a handgun, according to the sheriff’s office. Chad Buck was later pronounced dead at UnityPoint-Health Allen Hospital.

Deputies said both David Buck and his wife asserted he acted in self-defense in his own home.

Then on Monday afternoon, medics and deputies were called back to the home after David Buck suffered cardiac arrest. He was taken to the hospital where he died.

[internet troll]

https://www.goerie.com/story/news/cr...ge/4353930001/


District attorney: Erie man acted in self-defense when he shot man at Green Twp. gun range
Erie County District Attorney Jack Daneri ruled a 67-year-old Erie man acted in self-defense when he shot and killed a North East man who began firing a pistol at another man on Dec. 22 at a state game lands gun range in Greene Township.

State Police investigators were unable to determine why Robert A. Eppley Jr., 26, of North East, turned his pistol on his friend and began firing at him, Daneri announced during a Tuesday afternoon news conference at the Erie County Courthouse.

The incident occurred shortly after 2 p.m. on Dec. 22 at the State Game Lands 109 gun range at 10679 Sampson Road.

Investigators said Eppley and his friend were taking turns shooting a pistol at the range when Eppley turned toward his friend, identified by authorities as Michael Patterson, 28, of Erie, and began firing the gun at Patterson. Girlfriends of the two men were also present, Daneri said.

The 67-year-old man in a neighboring shooting stall, whom authorities said had no connection to the two men and who authorities did not identify, fired his weapon at Eppley in an attempt to stop the attack, killing Eppley.

"He's aware he took someone's life and he has remorse over what he did, but listening and watching his statement to the state police, he believed it was necessary for him to do what he did at the time," Daneri said. "It's my determination that it was reasonable for that man to believe he needed to use deadly force against Mr. Eppley, and because it was reasonable for him to use that deadly force, no criminal charges are warranted."

Patterson had just purchased a 9 mm handgun and invited Eppley and each man's girlfriend to the gun range, Daneri said.

Shortly after they began testing the handgun, the 67-year-old Erie man arrived and set up in a nearby shooting stall to the group's left, Daneri said.

"Mr. Eppley reloaded the handgun and began to shoot down range appropriately," Daneri said.

Eppley then turned to his right and began firing the handgun at Patterson and his girlfriend, Daneri said. Patterson was shot five times and was taken to UPMC Hamot for treatment before being released from the hospital later that night.

The 67-year-old Erie man then used his 22 mm Ruger pistol to shoot Eppley five times * twice on his rib cage and three times in the back * Daneri said.

"He then put his gun down and tended to Mr. Eppley," Daneri said. "He provided CPR, calling 911 and he stayed at the scene."

"The only thing unfortunately for everyone is that we don't have an answer to why Mr. Eppley did what he did."

Daneri said there was no animosity and no arguments between Eppley and Patterson preceding the shooting, saying the men were lifelong friends.

Eppley was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting.

A 4½-hour autopsy performed Dec. 23 by Erie County forensic pathologist Eric Vey, M.D., determined that Eppley died of gunshot wounds to the torso, Erie county Coroner Lyell Cook said.

Daneri said Eppley's blood-alcohol level was .21, almost 2½ times above the .08 legal limit considered intoxicated for driving.

[internet troll]

https://wbckfm.com/deadly-albion-sho...-self-defense/

Deadly Albion Shooting Believed To Be Self Defense
Lacy JamesPublished: December 21, 2020

A man was shot and killed and a woman injured in a confrontation believed to domestically motivated.

A 22-year-old man was killed in a fatal shooting early Saturday morning following what the Albion Department of Public Safety described as a domestic confrontation.

Director of Albion Public Safety Scott Kipp said it appears the man who was shot and killed was attempting to kick in the door of his former girlfriend's apartment, according to the Battle Creek Enquirer. The 22-year-old man was shot by another man already inside the apartment.

Officers were first called to the apartment located in the 100 block of West Porter Street at 8:10 a.m. Saturday for a man attempting to kick the apartment door open. The man fled prior to law enforcement arrival. Less than 30 minutes later the man returned with a gun, though is not believed to have fired the weapon according to investigators. The 22-year-old man began kicking the door once again in an effort to gain entry to the apartment.


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Albion Public Safety officers believe a 24-year-old man in the apartment was also armed and shot at the intruder, killing him and accidentally injuring the woman in the process. The woman was taken to the hospital for treatment. She has since been treated for her injuries and released from the hospital.

No arrests have been made. The investigation into the deadly shooting remains ongoing but is initially believed to be done in self-defense. A report will be sent to the Calhoun County Prosecutor's office for review.

[internet troll]

https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/...fense-2214546/

Las Vegas police investigate fatal shooting as possible self-defense
Police are investigating a possible self-defense shooting after an employee fatally shot a homeless man in the Spring Valley area of Las Vegas.

Las Vegas police on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020 were investigating a homicide in the Spring Valley ar ...
Las Vegas police on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020 were investigating a homicide in the Spring Valley area of Las Vegas. (Sabrina Schnur / Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Police are investigating a possible self-defense shooting after an employee fatally shot a homeless man in the Spring Valley area of Las Vegas.

Officers responded around 5:45 p.m. 5800 block of West Flamingo Road, near South Jones Boulevard, after an employee at AutoFind called to report he*d shot a homeless man who shattered the front window, according to Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Ray Spencer.

Investigators believe the man broke a window at a United Way office, 5830 W. Flamingo Road, before crossing to the street to the AutoFind where he then smashed the front window and pushed the employee to the ground while holding *two barbecue-style large forks,* Spencer said.

The employee shot the man with a handgun after he was pushed. The man was taken to University Medical Center where he died.

The employee was taken to the hospital for observation because he hit his head when he was pushed to the ground, Spencer said.

Spencer said the shooter gave a statement to the police, and the homicide is being considered self-defense.

*At this point it is early on in the investigation,* Spencer said. *We have numerous witnesses and we are speaking to them and trying to determine what exactly transpired prior to the shooting and during the incident.*

[internet troll]

https://www.wtvq.com/2020/10/12/fata...se-prosecutor/

Fatal shooting on I-75 was self defense: Prosecutor
October 12, 2020

COVINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Prosecutors aren’t pursuing criminal charges in connection with


Ma is shown pointing rifle at man seated in his car before the ma in the car shot him/Kentucky State Police
a fatal shooting Friday on Interstate 75 in Ft. Wright, ruling the case a justifiable use of deadly force, Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders announced Monday.

“Kentucky law states an individual is justified in the use of physical force upon another when the individual believes such force is necessary to protect against the use of unlawful force by another person,” said Sanders.

“The investigation by Ft. Wright and Kenton County Police Departments conclusively found the shooter was reasonably in fear for his own life and responded lawfully,” Sanders said.

Kenton County Emergency Communications Center received a call from Joshua G. Taylor, 43, of Cincinnati, on Friday at 1:22 p.m. reporting he had just been involved in a collision with another vehicle during what Taylor described as a “road rage” incident.

While stopped on the side of the interstate, and on the phone with dispatchers, Taylor stated he could see the other driver approaching with a rifle. The 911 call recorded the verbal confrontation between the two men before gunshots are heard, according to the KSP.

Taylor then tells the dispatcher he fired shots from his own gun and struck the other man. The recording continues as Taylor can be heard administering first aid.

Ft. Wright Police and a Kenton County Sheriff’s Department deputy were the first on the scene. Officers found John Patrick Abell, 41, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Abell was transported by Ft. Wright Fire Department to University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased, the KSP said i a statement.

Taylor was taken into custody and questioned by detectives before being released Friday evening after police consulted the Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Although some news reports list Abell as living in Bellevue, Ky., his most current residence is believed to be in Cincinnati, OH.

Crime scene investigators located a Tikka 30-06 rifle on the ground near where Abell fell. A Taurus 9mm handgun was recovered from Taylor, who is believed to have fired his handgun four times.

Abell did not fire his rifle. The gun was determined to be unloaded with a trigger lock in place.

“There was no way for Mr. Taylor to know the rifle being stuck in his face was inoperable,” said Sanders.

“So that does not make his reaction unreasonable or unlawful,” he continued. “In fact, anyone who has a gun pointed at him should always assume the gun is loaded.”

Neither party involved has a criminal record. Both were lawfully in possession of their respective firearms. Kentucky no longer requires a permit to carry concealed weapons and does not require guns to be registered.

Autopsy and toxicology reports on Abell are still pending.

Investigators located multiple empty liquor containers in Abell’s SUV. Sanders said witnesses suspected Abell was impaired based upon his driving prior to the collision, the KSP said.

Statements from witnesses suggest the rolling confrontation began somewhere between the Buttermilk Pike and Dixie Highway exits in Ft. Mitchell. As the two vehicles approached the Kyles Lane on-ramp, contact between the two caused Abell’s SUV to spin out, coming to rest between the interstate and the on-ramp.

Taylor pulled over and called 911.

Sanders said the investigation suggests Taylor and Abell did not know one another.

“Mr. Taylor was coming home from his place of employment in Boone County,” said Sanders, “And Mr. Abell is believed to have been headed home from a day of fishing.”

Sanders said it’s unknown why Abell was driving so aggressively.

Investigators from Ft. Wright and Kenton County Police interviewed over a dozen witnesses to the crash and shooting. All of the statements were essentially consistent and supported Taylor’s account of events

Multiple witnesses also supplied police with photos taken on cell phones.

Abell can be seen in photos with his rifle in hand, threatening a bystander before pointing the gun at Taylor while he is still seated in his vehicle.

[internet troll]

https://www.news-gazette.com/news/lo...dd0382f8c.html

Champaign man who claimed self-defense in June shooting gets probation
URBANA * A Champaign man who admitted he had a gun last summer that was used to shoot a man has been sentenced to 30 months of probation.

Assistant State*s Attorney Joel Fletcher said he had no evidence to contradict Gofart Whitley*s statement that he was defending himself from a knife attack when he shot a man he knew on June 24 in the 1100 block of Hickory Street in Champaign.

Whitley, 66, who listed an address in the 1500 block of Kiler Drive, pleaded guilty to aggravated unlawful use of weapons for having a gun without a concealed-carry license.

As a result of a plea agreement negotiated on Whitley*s behalf by Champaign attorney Ed Piraino, he was also ordered to spend 155 days in the county jail and perform 100 hours of public service.

He was given credit on his jail sentence for time already served.

Fletcher said that Whitley and the other man, age 73, had gotten into a dispute over Whitley*s use of a car when the older man reportedly pulled a folding knife out and attacked him.

After initially denying to police that he had a gun, Whitley ultimately admitted he was armed and that he shot the other man but did so in self-defense. The victim was en route to the hospital by the time police arrived.

Although witnesses were interviewed, Fletcher said there was no one else who saw what happened to be able to testify.

*His account is consistent with the physical evidence,* said Fletcher, adding that police found a knife in the victim*s car.

The victim was released from the hospital after treatment. The state*s attorney*s office was unable to contact him, Fletcher said.

Fletcher said Whitley*s only prior convictions were from the 1990s, for misdemeanor criminal trespass to land and resisting arrest.

He agreed to dismiss more-serious charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm against Whitley.

[internet troll]

https://www.wtxl.com/news/local-news...m-drive-monday

TPD: Fatal shooting on Putnam Drive ruled self-defense
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The Tallahassee Police Department says one adult male died following the shooting that occurred just after 4:30 p.m. on Monday in the 400 block of Putnam Drive.

According to the report, the police investigation found the deceased, 29-year-old Cody McKinney and another person were in a dispute when McKinney forcibly entered the person's apartment making threats.

Following consultation with the State Attorney’s Office, the investigation determined the shooter was acting in self-defense, under Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law.

This is still an open and active case pending further investigation. The other person's name is being withheld pursuant to Marsy’s Law.