Drizzt
March 13, 2003, 05:31 PM
Edmonton Sun (Canada)
March 12, 2003 Wednesday, Final Edition
SECTION: News; Pg. 7
LENGTH: 444 words
HEADLINE: 'WE ARE NOT THE BAD MEN';
WIFE UPSET AFTER SHOP OWNER CHARGED OVER SHOOTING DURING BREAK-IN
BYLINE: DOUG BEAZLEY, EDMONTON SUN
BODY:
The wife of a city shopkeeper was pleading yesterday for the public's help with legal fees after her husband was charged in connection with a shooting at his south-side electronics store.
"We are not the bad men. We are not rich," said a weeping Betsy King, 43, wife of 45-year-old Shand King. "(Shand) doesn't think he did anything wrong. These guys were attacking our property, and this happened to us over and over. Normal people would have taken the same action."
Yesterday, city cops charged Shand King with causing bodily harm with intent, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm knowing the firearm is "unauthorized" and using a firearm during the commission of an offence. He appears in court April 9.
At least one person was wounded in early morning gunplay Sunday at King's shop, Audio 5.1. Police say would-be thieves rammed a stolen Chevy Blazer tail-first through the front of the shop around 4 a.m.
Two of the culprits were trying to pry a $20,000 plasma TV from a wall when a shot rang out inside the building. More shots were fired as the crooks fled in a waiting car, leaving the Blazer behind.
A 28-year-old man was later treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Police say he may be charged.
Cops have not identified any other suspects.
Audio 5.1 was closed yesterday but two notices were taped to the shattered front of the shop, pleading with the media to "please leave me alone ... I lose so much already."
A third notice, taped to the back of the shop, warned that the building is under 24-hour video surveillance and "if you steal from me, I will spend all my time to kill you!"
Police searched the shop Monday night and found a .38-calibre revolver they believe was used in the shooting.
"We don't know where the gun came from," said cop spokesman Annette Bidniak. "It doesn't appear to be registered anywhere."
Betsy King said the store has been robbed four or five times in the four short years it's been at its current location, 10326 63 Ave.
"(Shand) is a hard-working guy, he works seven days a week. He works late. Sometimes he stays at the store all night.
"We are insured, but we work so hard, and these people just steal from us."
Out in the retail community, opinions on the issue were divided. Some store managers supported the idea of defending property with force.
"If someone broke into my home, I'd want to take a shot at them," said Mike Hamilton, manager of Certified Radio.
Others suggested using a gun to foil a break-in was overkill.
"You have insurance, you have an alarm system ... I can't agree with shooting people," said Chris Vendel of International Stereo.
March 12, 2003 Wednesday, Final Edition
SECTION: News; Pg. 7
LENGTH: 444 words
HEADLINE: 'WE ARE NOT THE BAD MEN';
WIFE UPSET AFTER SHOP OWNER CHARGED OVER SHOOTING DURING BREAK-IN
BYLINE: DOUG BEAZLEY, EDMONTON SUN
BODY:
The wife of a city shopkeeper was pleading yesterday for the public's help with legal fees after her husband was charged in connection with a shooting at his south-side electronics store.
"We are not the bad men. We are not rich," said a weeping Betsy King, 43, wife of 45-year-old Shand King. "(Shand) doesn't think he did anything wrong. These guys were attacking our property, and this happened to us over and over. Normal people would have taken the same action."
Yesterday, city cops charged Shand King with causing bodily harm with intent, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm knowing the firearm is "unauthorized" and using a firearm during the commission of an offence. He appears in court April 9.
At least one person was wounded in early morning gunplay Sunday at King's shop, Audio 5.1. Police say would-be thieves rammed a stolen Chevy Blazer tail-first through the front of the shop around 4 a.m.
Two of the culprits were trying to pry a $20,000 plasma TV from a wall when a shot rang out inside the building. More shots were fired as the crooks fled in a waiting car, leaving the Blazer behind.
A 28-year-old man was later treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Police say he may be charged.
Cops have not identified any other suspects.
Audio 5.1 was closed yesterday but two notices were taped to the shattered front of the shop, pleading with the media to "please leave me alone ... I lose so much already."
A third notice, taped to the back of the shop, warned that the building is under 24-hour video surveillance and "if you steal from me, I will spend all my time to kill you!"
Police searched the shop Monday night and found a .38-calibre revolver they believe was used in the shooting.
"We don't know where the gun came from," said cop spokesman Annette Bidniak. "It doesn't appear to be registered anywhere."
Betsy King said the store has been robbed four or five times in the four short years it's been at its current location, 10326 63 Ave.
"(Shand) is a hard-working guy, he works seven days a week. He works late. Sometimes he stays at the store all night.
"We are insured, but we work so hard, and these people just steal from us."
Out in the retail community, opinions on the issue were divided. Some store managers supported the idea of defending property with force.
"If someone broke into my home, I'd want to take a shot at them," said Mike Hamilton, manager of Certified Radio.
Others suggested using a gun to foil a break-in was overkill.
"You have insurance, you have an alarm system ... I can't agree with shooting people," said Chris Vendel of International Stereo.