Home Invasion Repulsed (Indianapolis)

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El Tejon

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It seems someone has figured out how to fight crime in Indianapolis--shoot back!

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=6104934

Burglary suspect killed

Feb 19, 2007 06:47 AM EST

Lynsay Clutter/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - Indianapolis Metropolitan Police are investigating a shooting incident Saturday night in which a burglary suspect was shot and killed.

Police were called to 2124 Lake Terrace Drive near 21st and Post around 9:30 p.m. Saturday after a woman called to say she shot a burglar several times.

When is it okay for someone inside their own home to shoot at an intruder? That's the question that came up Sunday night when a lady shot and killed a man who broke into her home.

Police say it was a robbery that went wrong.

Two men broke into an apartment only to be stopped by the woman who lives there.

Indianapolis Metropolitan police spokesman Lt. Doug Scheffel explained what happened, "She told officers she was inside the apartment, two black males broke into the apartment armed with a handgun, she had a revolver and she actually shot and killed Mr. Thornton."

20-year-old Derrick Thornton of Wisconsin died in the apartment hallway.

His accomplice, and cousin, Randy Thornton ran home where police found him an hour and a half later unarmed. Neither suspect had any weapons.

Police took Randy Thornton downtown to the homicide office where they interviewed him and charged him with felony murder.

"The reason he was charged with the felony murder is that they were committing a forceable felony when it was his cousin who was actually killed. So the way the law is written, if he has an accomplice, that person can face an actual charge of felony murder even though they were not the person responsible for shooting him," explained Scheffel.


Police believe the female acted in self-defense. In the state of Indiana, you do not need a license to carry a gun in your home.

"Once you are in your home, that's your castle, you have the right to defend yourself or your family members against anyone who is trying to break in and harm you," said Scheffel.

The Prosecutor will have the final word on any charges after reviewing the final report.
 
I'm glad the homeowner was in a position to protect her home and herself! I am waiting to read how he was a good boy...
 
It was a wierd report on the 11:00 pm news. They kept repeating the fact that you "do not need a license to carry in your home".:uhoh:

Do not know why the reporterette fixated upon this fact. Maybe the defender told cops that she was carrying the revolver in her apartment?

The ABC station in Indianapolis called this "vigilante justice.":rolleyes: That got a rather lengthy e-mail from me.
 
I can say, with the deepest sincerity, that the world is a better place now that it has one less Thornton. Hopefully the cousin sees the light (or Hay-Suess) rehabilitates himself and takes up the ministry behind bars where he can work towards the rehabilitation of others. :p
 
Tallpine, robbery goes right, in the eyes of some in the media and LE, when the victim submits and is injured or killed. It is easier for LE to deal with victims than those who successfully defend themselves and it creates more ratings for the media when someone is victimized.

With all the home invaders and car jackers being shot dead in Indianapolis, I do not understand why they are still trying this tactic. It may work well in Chicago, but if you go south on I-65 and try it you are signing your death warrant.:uhoh:
 
Tallpine, robbery goes right, in the eyes of some in the media and LE, when the victim submits and is injured or killed.
Click to expand...
That's what I was thinking when I read that.
I'm glad this situation turned out good. It's interesting they said "robbery, and burglary". How do they know the intentions of the home invaders? Maybe it should say "Rape and Murder went wrong". Did Randy Thornton tell them it was just a burglary? The same guy that fled, stashed his gun, and acted like he'd been playing playstation all night instead of breaking into occupied houses with his cousin?
 
Warms my heart that this woman took the initiative to buy a gun, learn how to use it, and then defended herself properly.
 
Woman opens fire on suspected home invaders

Russ McQuaid

February 18, 2007

Indianapolis — Indianapolis Metro Police say an east side woman was acting in self defense when she fatally wounded an armed man who kicked in her apartment door.

20-year-old Derrick Thornton of Beloit, Wisconsin, was found dead in the entryway of the apartment building at 2124 Lake Terrace West Drive Saturday night. His 22-year-old cousin, Randy Thornton, was arrested and charged with felony murder for taking part in the robbery that led to his cousin's death.

A footprint on the door appears to be evidence of the forcible entry described by a neighbor. "I heard a real loud boom which sounded like somebody entering through her door," said the woman. "A few seconds later I heard gunshots...somewhere between three and four gunshots."

The neighbor and other witnesses said Randy Thornton attempted to drag his cousin's body up the steps of the interior landing of the building before fleeing. Other friends stayed behind and identified the dead man and his accomplice to police.

"They were committing a forcible entry when his cousin was actually killed," said Metro Police Lt. Doug Scheffel, "so the way the law is written, if he has an accomplice, that person can face an actual charge of felony murder even though they were not the person responsible for shooting him.

"Once you're in your home, that's kind of like your castle. You have the right to defend yourself or your family members against anyone that's trying to break in and harm you," explains Scheffel.

Neighbors say the woman has gone into hiding. Homicide detectives say she has been the target of death threats as a result of the shooting. Investigators will file the case with the Marion County Prosecutor Tuesday who will make a final decision on whether the woman will be charged.
Click to expand...
http://fox59.trb.com/invasion,0,1637351.story?coll=wxin-home-3

I wonder how often this happens. Do fellow gang members or family members try to get revenge when someone they know is killed committing a crime? Are they successful? She did the right thing, I hope she remains safe. I know I would be finding a new apartment ASAP.
Neighbors say the woman has gone into hiding. Homicide detectives say she has been the target of death threats as a result of the shooting. Investigators will file the case with the Marion County Prosecutor Tuesday who will make a final decision on whether the woman will be charged.
Click to expand...
 
Neighbors say the woman has gone into hiding. Homicide detectives say she has been the target of death threats as a result of the shooting. Investigators will file the case with the Marion County Prosecutor Tuesday who will make a final decision on whether the woman will be charged.
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I guess her being charged or not depends on whether or not Jesse Jackson or the local community gets in an uproar over the poor innocent burglars, or is so disgusted by her willingness to use "gun violence" on others that they presure the local politician/presecutor.

I wonder how often this happens. Do fellow gang members or family members try to get revenge when someone they know is killed committing a crime? Are they successful? She did the right thing, I hope she remains safe. I know I would be finding a new apartment ASAP.
Click to expand...
Yes it happens all the time. Gang members would be just as likely to kill or terrorize her for killing the burglar, as to stop her from being an eye witness in the case against the survivor.

Do a quick search of gang members killing witnesses, or family members/friends killing witnesses in gang areas and you will find a lot of results, many of them recent. It does not matter if the person chose to be a witness or was forced to be by being victimized. They are still targeted and killed at thier home or going to and from work, or at thier place of employment if they know that, quite often. There is laws and enhancements against it, but if someone is willing to murder anyways some enhancement is not going to deter them.

Many such cases are "unexplained" "random" "killings" of innocent bystanders, as the local police and community does not want to discourage witnesses which they need to come forward in criminal cases for successful prosecution, and reporting the death of other witnesses has that effect.
 
They kept repeating the fact that you "do not need a license to carry in your home"
Click to expand...

Good, I hope they repeat it some more. Maybe this thought will creep into the brains of the masses >> Every time I debate someone about concealed carry, I ask them if they believe they have the right to defend themselves with a gun against murderers and rapists in their own home...to which they nearly always say yes. Then I ask them if would somehow be better for them if they were raped or murdered in a parking lot at the mall.
The real issue is - why do you need a permit to protect yourself against deadly assaults OUTSIDE of your home.
 
Story update: an unreported amount of marijuana was found inside the woman's apartment. Do not know if it was five pounds or shake or what. Apparently she turned it over to police when they were investigating the shooting.

30 grams and over can be a felony under Indiana law. Marion County Prosecuting Attorney only said that this is "under review" as well.
 
El Tejon, your Location makes me think you might not be fully enjoying the beautiful indiana weather? dont worry, in a day or two it'll be water world!
 
an unreported amount of marijuana was found inside the woman's apartment. Do not know if it was five pounds or shake or what.
Click to expand...
of course if you choose to alter your brain chemistry with non-conformist chemicals, your right to self-defense is null and void. :barf: She will probably end up wearing the felon title, and be convicted for shooting someone while in possession of drugs, and end up going to jail for a long time... I hope not though!
 
Hmm, robbery gone "wrong", or drug dealer rippoff gone "wrong"...Gang terror on her not due to shooting, but turning over some amounts of drugs/information to PD? Witness protection program, anyone? Hmm. May be much more than meets the eye.
 
Ch 13 is somewhat more "anti" and Fox 59 is somewhat less.

WTH are they thinking printing the lady's address!!!!!!

Sending and e-mail to Fox 59...
 
I am glad another law abiding citizen was able to protect herself!
What gets me is that "felony murder" crap that they are putting on the other perp. It stinks of bad fish. This kind of "charge heaping" that they do is a by product of the folks in the judicial system doing such a CRAPPY job. The garbage they pull on a daily basis at work would get me fired. The heaping of multiple charges...plea bargaining...all this is done to make up for folks that can not do their damn job well.
The cops risk their lives and drag these bad guys in while the folks in the prosecuting wing, walking around like they are still wearing powdered wigs, cant make the simplest charge stick most of the time so they heap huge amounts of redundant and bogus charges on a person in hopes that the bad guy pleas down to a charge. They dont care WHAT the guy goes to jail for... That doesnt show up durring their review... JUST a conviction. What a joke.
 
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