OH) Storeowner shoots intruder 10-16-03
Date: Oct 18, 2003 10:02 AM
http://ardmoreite.com/stories/101603/loc_intruder_shot.shtml
October 16, 2003
Store owner shoots intruder
By Marsha Miller
News Editor
An Ardmore store owner shot a man attempting to break into his Carter
Street store early Wednesday morning.
Capt. Leroy Johnson, Ardmore Police Department Criminal Investigation
Division, said the shooting occurred about 12:30 a.m. at Shop and
Tackle.
"We received a call a person was trying to break into the store through
the glass door," Johnson said. "The owner (George West), who sleeps at
the store, grabbed a gun and fired three rounds at the man from inside
the store.
The suspect jumped in a vehicle and fled. At that point, Mr. West went
outside and fired two more shots at the car."
Leaking fluid from the intruder's car provided police with a trail to
the intersection of
Washington and Stanley streets. But then, the trail dead-ended. Moments
later, officers picked up the trail again when dispatchers received a
911 emergency call concerning a severely wounded man at a Knox Road
apartment complex. Officers went to the apartment and found the suspect.
"He was at his girlfriend's apartment," Johnson said. "The car, which
matched the description given to us by Mr. West, was in the parking
lot."
The suspect, who has not yet been identified, was taken to Mercy
Memorial Health Center and later transferred to an Oklahoma City medical
facility.
Johnson said the suspect sustained a single gunshot wound to the lower
portion of his face.
"His jaws and teeth were involved. We were told he would undergo surgery
sometime (Wednesday)," Johnson said.
The suspect was not immediately arrested. Johnson said officers would
await an arrest warrant and the suspect's release from the hospital
before taking him into custody.
West was interviewed by police and released shortly after the shooting
occurred. The gun used in the shooting was placed into evidence.
West was not injured as a result of the attempted break-in.
Johnson said police reports would be presented to the district
attorney's office by the end of the week.
Oklahoma does have what is sometimes referred to as a "Make My Day" law.
The law says occupants of a dwelling are justified in using any degree
of physical force, including deadly force, against persons who have made
unlawful entry when the occupant has a reasonable belief such person
might use physical force no matter how slight against him or her.
West was held hostage for more than six hours in February 2002 by two
Texas prison escapees, both of whom had been convicted of murdering a
Waurika cheerleader. Local authorities said West's store has also been
robbed in the past.
Attempts to reach West prior were unsuccessful.
Date: Oct 18, 2003 10:02 AM
http://ardmoreite.com/stories/101603/loc_intruder_shot.shtml
October 16, 2003
Store owner shoots intruder
By Marsha Miller
News Editor
An Ardmore store owner shot a man attempting to break into his Carter
Street store early Wednesday morning.
Capt. Leroy Johnson, Ardmore Police Department Criminal Investigation
Division, said the shooting occurred about 12:30 a.m. at Shop and
Tackle.
"We received a call a person was trying to break into the store through
the glass door," Johnson said. "The owner (George West), who sleeps at
the store, grabbed a gun and fired three rounds at the man from inside
the store.
The suspect jumped in a vehicle and fled. At that point, Mr. West went
outside and fired two more shots at the car."
Leaking fluid from the intruder's car provided police with a trail to
the intersection of
Washington and Stanley streets. But then, the trail dead-ended. Moments
later, officers picked up the trail again when dispatchers received a
911 emergency call concerning a severely wounded man at a Knox Road
apartment complex. Officers went to the apartment and found the suspect.
"He was at his girlfriend's apartment," Johnson said. "The car, which
matched the description given to us by Mr. West, was in the parking
lot."
The suspect, who has not yet been identified, was taken to Mercy
Memorial Health Center and later transferred to an Oklahoma City medical
facility.
Johnson said the suspect sustained a single gunshot wound to the lower
portion of his face.
"His jaws and teeth were involved. We were told he would undergo surgery
sometime (Wednesday)," Johnson said.
The suspect was not immediately arrested. Johnson said officers would
await an arrest warrant and the suspect's release from the hospital
before taking him into custody.
West was interviewed by police and released shortly after the shooting
occurred. The gun used in the shooting was placed into evidence.
West was not injured as a result of the attempted break-in.
Johnson said police reports would be presented to the district
attorney's office by the end of the week.
Oklahoma does have what is sometimes referred to as a "Make My Day" law.
The law says occupants of a dwelling are justified in using any degree
of physical force, including deadly force, against persons who have made
unlawful entry when the occupant has a reasonable belief such person
might use physical force no matter how slight against him or her.
West was held hostage for more than six hours in February 2002 by two
Texas prison escapees, both of whom had been convicted of murdering a
Waurika cheerleader. Local authorities said West's store has also been
robbed in the past.
Attempts to reach West prior were unsuccessful.
