Dave P
Member
Shooting ends botched break-in
Gun shop owner fired in self-defense, sheriff says
By James Dean
FLORIDA TODAY
MERRITT ISLAND -- A man who broke into a gun shop early Friday was shot after the owner of the business discovered him and another burglar inside and fired his gun in self-defense, sheriff's officials said.
Deputies responded at 4:18 a.m. to the Mailorder Gun Connection, 3420 N. Courtenay Parkway.
Twenty-year-old Aaron M. Huck of Indian Harbour Beach was treated and released Friday from Wuesthoff Hospital in Rockledge for a wound to his left arm.
Investigators said the business owner, 54-year-old John Wolfman of Cocoa Beach, went to the store after an alarm at home alerted him of a possible break-in.
Upon arriving at the store, Wolfman found a window air-conditioning unit on the ground and the door open. When he entered the dark store with a handgun, investigators said Huck approached him, apparently with a gun in his hand.
"The owner was in fear that these individuals had guns, and when they didn't stop he fired one round," said Agent Pete Huminski of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.
Huck and 18-year-old Joseph Campbell of Merritt Island gave themselves up after the shot was fired.
Agent Tamara Rittenhouse said Huck was found with a handgun stolen from the store in his pocket, but it was not yet known if the gun was loaded; Campbell was armed with a large hunting knife.
"All indications are that it was self-defense," said Rittenhouse, adding that Wolfman had not called for help sooner because he had forgotten his cell phone and wasn't certain there had been a burglary.
"A citizen has the right to defend his or her property," said Sheriff Phil Williams in a statement.
Williams said the use of deadly force is justified if there is a reasonable fear of death or great bodily harm.
Huck and Campbell were charged with armed burglary, grand theft of firearms, use of a firearm in a commission of a felony, and possession of burglary tools.
Both men were scheduled to make first court appearances Saturday morning at the Brevard County Detention Center in Sharpes.
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Looks like this one turned out just as it should have - one more for the good guys, including Sheriff Williams (who will be resigning this yr).
Gun shop owner fired in self-defense, sheriff says
By James Dean
FLORIDA TODAY
MERRITT ISLAND -- A man who broke into a gun shop early Friday was shot after the owner of the business discovered him and another burglar inside and fired his gun in self-defense, sheriff's officials said.
Deputies responded at 4:18 a.m. to the Mailorder Gun Connection, 3420 N. Courtenay Parkway.
Twenty-year-old Aaron M. Huck of Indian Harbour Beach was treated and released Friday from Wuesthoff Hospital in Rockledge for a wound to his left arm.
Investigators said the business owner, 54-year-old John Wolfman of Cocoa Beach, went to the store after an alarm at home alerted him of a possible break-in.
Upon arriving at the store, Wolfman found a window air-conditioning unit on the ground and the door open. When he entered the dark store with a handgun, investigators said Huck approached him, apparently with a gun in his hand.
"The owner was in fear that these individuals had guns, and when they didn't stop he fired one round," said Agent Pete Huminski of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.
Huck and 18-year-old Joseph Campbell of Merritt Island gave themselves up after the shot was fired.
Agent Tamara Rittenhouse said Huck was found with a handgun stolen from the store in his pocket, but it was not yet known if the gun was loaded; Campbell was armed with a large hunting knife.
"All indications are that it was self-defense," said Rittenhouse, adding that Wolfman had not called for help sooner because he had forgotten his cell phone and wasn't certain there had been a burglary.
"A citizen has the right to defend his or her property," said Sheriff Phil Williams in a statement.
Williams said the use of deadly force is justified if there is a reasonable fear of death or great bodily harm.
Huck and Campbell were charged with armed burglary, grand theft of firearms, use of a firearm in a commission of a felony, and possession of burglary tools.
Both men were scheduled to make first court appearances Saturday morning at the Brevard County Detention Center in Sharpes.
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Looks like this one turned out just as it should have - one more for the good guys, including Sheriff Williams (who will be resigning this yr).
