Defensive Gun Uses By People Legally Carrying Guns: Cases From September to October 2020
Roseville, MI, September 2, 2020 (WDIV Local 4)
Police said a 30-year-old man was vacuuming his SUV when he was ambushed by two people. The driver — who had a pistol on his hip for protection — had a gun stuck in his face.
“He is a conceal pistol license holder for the state of Michigan,” said Deputy Chief Mitchell Berlin. “Everything was legal.”
Shots were exchanged and the would-be robber was fatally shot in his head…
Shawn Ley, “16-year-old robbery suspect fatally shot at Roseville car wash,” WDIV Local 4, September 2, 2020.
Wilmington, NC, September 8, 2020 (WECT)
Police say Miller was armed with a machete when he approached a 24-year-old man and tried to steal his gun. A struggle ensued, leading Miller to grab a nearby woman and hold the machete to her neck.
The man then shot Miller in self-defense, ending the altercation, police say…
The male victim was taken into custody by police the night of the shooting but was later released once officers learned what happened…
WECT Staff, “Machete-wielding suspect shot by victim during robbery attempt, Wilmington police say,” WECT, September 28, 2020.
Des Moines, IA, September 14, 2020 (KCCI)
Officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of 13th Street, between Clark Street and Forest Avenue at about 5:45 a.m. The caller reported that he had been approached by two armed teenagers who attempted to rob him and he shot them in self-defense, according to police.
Authorities said detectives learned that both teens were armed with handguns and approached the victim and demanded that he empty his pockets. The robbery victim, a concealed weapon permit holder, drew his weapon and shot both of the suspects…
The Des Moines Police Department said no charges will be filed…
KCCI Staff, “Des Moines police identify 16-year-old killed in shooting police say was justified,” KCCI, September 14, 2020.
Houston, TX, September 17, 2020 (ABC 13)
According to police, the suspect jumped into the driver’s seat and tried to take off.
That’s when the man pumping gas pulled out his gun and fired several shots at the suspect…
Charly Edsitty, “Carjacker shot after jumping into SUV with woman, HPD says,” ABC 13, September 17, 2020.
Germantown, TN, September 21, 2020 (The Commercial Appeal)
Local prosecutors have cleared a vehicle owner who fired shots during what authorities have described as an attempted carjacking at a Kroger gas station this week.Police have said the man shot and wounded one of the people trying to steal the vehicle and killed a second, a 16-year-old.
An arrest affidavit filed in the case says the vehicle owner, Terry Thompson, told police that an assailant pointed a gun at him during the incident and that he opened fire in return. An attorney for Thompson described it as a matter of self-defense…
Daniel Connolly, “DA’s office clears vehicle owner in Kroger gas station shooting – it’s ruled justified,” The Commercial Appeal, September 24, 2020.
Houston, TX, September 28, 2020 (Newsweek, ABC 13)
As the parents were going to their car, the man followed them, and then started punching Rodriguez and grabbing the stepmother.
When their son saw what was happening, he pulled out his gun and shot and killed the attacker, police said…
T.J. Parker, “Son kills man punching father in restaurant parking lot, HPD says,” ABC 13, September 25, 2020.
Leda Reynolds, “Son Shoots Texas Man Dead after Seeing Him Attacking Parents, Police Say,” Newsweek, September 28, 2020.
Houston, TX, September 30, 2020 (News 4 San Antonio)
The owner allegedly grabbed his gun and shot at the suspect…
The owner does not face any charges.
Danielle Moody, “Suspect flags down constable for help after getting shot at by car owner,” News 4 San Antonio, September 30, 2020.
Ft. Wright, KY, October 9, 2020 (Cincinnati)
Joshua G. Taylor, 43, of Cincinnati, called 911 at 1:22 p.m. to report he had been involved in a crash with another vehicle in what he described as a road rage incident, according to a release Monday from Sanders’ office…
The 911 call recorded a verbal confrontation between the two men before gunshots were heard, according to the release.
Taylor then told the dispatcher he fired shots from his gun and struck the other man…
Witnesses shared photos with police, according to the release. Abell can be seen in photos with his rifle in hand, threatening a bystander before pointing the gun at Taylor, according to the release.
Neither man had a criminal record, according to Sanders’ release. Both men lawfully possessed the firearms they carried, according to the release…
Cameron Knight and Chris Mayhew, “Kenton County prosecutor rules I-75 shooting justified use of force: Drivers in crash identified,” Cincinnati Enquirer, October 12, 2020.
Spartanburg County, SC, October 13, 2020 (WSPA)
According to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting happened around 11:00pm at the QuikTrip on Reidville Road…
Deputies said the man then left the CVS to go to QT while Berry left the CVS but remained in his car in the parking lot. Once the man exited the QT around 10 minutes later, Berry left his car and approached the man “in a hurried manner,” investigators said.
According to the sheriff’s office, Berry took a swing at the man but missed as he was running away. Investigators said the man, fearing for his life due to Berry continuing to come towards him, pulled out his concealed weapon and fired one time.
Spartanburg County investigators said they met with the Solicitor’s Office and, based on a statement from the shooter, witness statements, and video from the CVS and the QT, the shooting was ruled a justifiable homicide…
WSPA Staff, “No charges in deadly QT shooting in Spartanburg Co., ruled justified,” WSPA, October 15, 2020.
Philadelphia, PA, October 20, 2020 (CBS Philly)
Philadelphia Police say a man was shot and killed by a person he was trying to rob in the Strawberry Mansion section of the city on Tuesday morning. The shooting happened on the 2600 block of North Napa Street, shortly before 10 a.m.
Police sources say the shooter is a city employee, working as a victim services advocate for the District Attorney’s Office.
Police say when the 31-year-old man tried to rob the city employee at gunpoint, he pulled out his own weapon and fired, striking the would-be robber in the chest.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
No charges have been filed…
CBS3 Staff, “Philadelphia Victim Services Advocate Fatally Shoots Would-Be Robber In Strawberry Mansion, Police Sources Say,” CBS Philly, October 20, 2020.
St. Louis, MO, October 21, 2020 (WHAS 11)
She jumped into her car, got her own gun and shot the suspect once in the stomach before he fled in her car, according to the source…
Homicide detectives interviewed the victim and released her.
Christine Byers, “Woman shoots, kills suspected carjacker in St. Louis,” WHAS 11, October 20, 2020.
Johnson City, TN, October 28, 2020 (Johnson City Press)
Around 10:15, officers were dispatched to a report of a robbery at the Scotchman.
In that incident, the clerk complied with the man’s demands while being threatened with a firearm and controlled by the man, police said.
The clerk’s husband, who has a valid handgun carry permit, intervened and shot the man two times in self-defense after the man pointed the weapon at him. Witnesses gave the police a description of the man, which matched the alleged robber from the first attempt…
Becky Campbell, “Updated with arrest: Police say clerk’s husband stopped robbery with gunshots,” Johnson City Press, October 28, 2020.
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