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July 16th, 2007, 05:41 PM #1
Here is why you don't carry while drinking
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site...d=415898&rfi=6
One in jail, one in ICU after parking-lot fight
BY MEGAN REITER
STAFF WRITER
07/16/2007
DICKSON CITY — A Sunday morning shooting in the Denny’s restaurant parking lot ended with one man in jail and another in intensive care.
Police arrested Robert Belmonte Jr., 22, of Blakeslee, and charged him with aggravated assault, simple assault, endangering the welfare of others, disorderly conduct and harassment for allegedly shooting his friend Elvin Padilla in the chest.
“He’s claiming it was self-defense,” said Dickson City police Officer William Bilinski. Alcohol was most likely involved in the incident, the officer said.
A group of nine friends from Monroe County were driving to Denny’s in three cars after a night at Tinks, in downtown Scranton, when Mr. Padilla began arguing with his girlfriend, Officer Bilinski said. The other males in the group confronted Mr. Padilla in the parking lot, when he allegedly slashed Christopher Gittens, of Blakeslee, in the arm with a screwdriver, police said.
“Tempers and emotions got heated,” Officer Bilinski said, adding that Mr. Gittens suffered a superficial wound and was treated at the scene.
Mr. Padilla then approached Mr. Belmonte, who allegedly fired off a round from a .40-caliber handgun, hitting Mr. Padilla in the left side of the chest, Officer Bilinski said.
As of noon Sunday, Mr. Padilla was out of surgery at Community Medical Center and in the intensive care unit, said Officer Bilinski. Further information on his condition was not available Sunday night.
Charges are pending against Mr. Padilla, the officer said.
Mr. Belmonte remains in the Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.
Contact the writer: mreiter@timesshamrock.com
It's hard to figure out what really happened by that lopsided article.One thing is sure, if Mr. Belmonte had not been drinking, his claim of self defense would not be in question. If the other guy was coming at him with a screwdriver after just having assaulted someone else, I think he was justified.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out in Lackawanna County.Ruger P345 (45ACP)
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July 16th, 2007, 05:57 PM #2
Re: Here is why you don't carry while drinking
There isn't many things alcohol mixes with...women is the only good thing I can think of off hand!
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July 16th, 2007, 05:58 PM #3
Re: Here is why you don't carry while drinking
"Here is why you don't carry while drinking"
I think there is way too little information available yet to jump to conclusions. JMHO
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July 16th, 2007, 06:03 PM #4Banned
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Re: Here is why you don't carry while drinking
Your assertion that we all turn into irrational, trigger-happy dipshits when we drink is offensive.
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July 16th, 2007, 06:35 PM #5
Re: Here is why you don't carry while drinking
Who goes to Dennys?!!?
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July 16th, 2007, 06:35 PM #6
Re: Here is why you don't carry while drinking
Gee ...........is that what I asserted.........Thanks for telling me what I meant!
My point is if you are involved in a shooting, and are inebriated, you "WILL" have a much more difficult experience. The police will arrest you and let the courts sort it out. The press will paint you as an idiot, then fail to report when the charges are dropped.Ruger P345 (45ACP)
Colt Trooper (.357 Mag)
CZ 40 P (40S&W)
CZ 100 (9 MM)
TZ 75 (9MM)
Bersa Thunder 380 (.380)
Ruger Mark II (.22)
Heritage Arms Rough Rider (.22)
(2)Phoenix Arms HP22 (.22)
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July 16th, 2007, 07:25 PM #7Active Member
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Re: Here is why you don't carry while drinking
I always thought it was a weird thing to assert that if you have had a drink or two that you must go ahead and die if your life is threatened because that us better than you pulling a gun and fighting back.
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July 16th, 2007, 08:01 PM #8
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July 16th, 2007, 08:09 PM #9
Re: Here is why you don't carry while drinking
So why is that good when it can turn a coyote into a fox?!
But seriously, I'm more interested in what the story doesn't say. Was Belmonte's pistol legally possessed and carried at the time? Had Belmonte been actually drinking, if so was he over the legal limit? What, if any of the charges against him are felonies that would justify a $50K bail. And just for a reminder: HB 21 (Which is still in committee) requires $50K as the mandatory minimum bail for anyone charged with a firearms crime.Last edited by Brick; July 17th, 2007 at 08:15 PM. Reason: added word to clarify
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July 16th, 2007, 08:37 PM #10Grand Member
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Re: Here is why you don't carry while drinking
Alcohol affects one's judgement. If you're going to carry, it's your responsibility that you stay in control.
Being impaired and getting into an altercation could (and I sure has) resulted in someone pulling a weapon (not necessarily a gun) and using it when the situation didn't call for it.
Being impaired is also going to make a self defense case more difficult to defend.
However, we do not know if Belmonte was impaired and, since he wasn't charged with carrying the gun, I expect it will turn out to be legal and he had a permit.
Belmonte probably could have avoided this shooting by retreating. Perhaps he was defending another person...the article doesn't state that.
It's a sad tale, but I expect he'll be convicted of at least some of the charges. If he has a permit, it's possible he'll lose that too.
So, I'm not say not to drink...but if you're going to carry, I suggest you make those drinks non-alcoholic.Last edited by RoyJackson; July 16th, 2007 at 08:46 PM.
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