SD Home Invasion Shoot in Mesa AZ, but...

[HarryB]

http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2009/06/18/20090618abrk-mesakilling18.html

1 slain, 1 wounded in suspected Mesa home invasion
by Jessica Andrews - Jun. 18, 2009 08:21 AM
The Arizona Republic
One man is dead and one hospitalized after they broke into a Mesa home and were shot by a resident, Mesa police said.

The two 19-year-olds are suspected of breaking into the house in the 1400 block of South Allen near Southern Avenue and Stapley Drive in Mesa around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Mesa Police spokesman Sgt. Ed Wessing said.

The pair reportedly rounded up the four residents, all in their early 20s, and put them in one room, Wessing said.

The suspects had guns and demanded money, police said.

Wessing said it appeared there was a shotgun in the room where the residents were herded. One victim grabbed the shotgun and fired at the pair.

One suspect died on the scene. The other was shot in the chest, but managed to flee and get to a hospital, where police found him.

Police said the suspect is listed as stable and they expect to interview him soon.

Wessing said investigators obtained a search warrant and were able to enter the house a little after 7 a.m. Thursday to look at evidence, including the body of the other suspect, which was still in the home.


QUESTION: Why might police need a warrant to enter a crime scene--unless the dwellers were less than lawful as well?

 

[duckman007]

Can't say without being there. We never obtained a search warrant while investigating something of this nature. Of course, each state has different laws and each department has different policies, so it may simply be a matter for procedure for them and it's something that's done regardless. It could also be that the victims were being either uncooperative or perhaps acting in accordance with their lawyer's instructions. Without more details, one can only speculate. I wouldn't necessarily assume that the investigators are looking to railroad the victims, but I would recommend that they obtain a lawyer just in case.

 

[HarryB]

The body of the suspect was there on the ground for almost eight hours. This is very weird...

 

[catspa]

Holy crap! I was right down there last week.

Parker

 

[TexasRifleman]

Wessing said investigators obtained a search warrant and were able to enter the house a little after 7 a.m. Thursday to look at evidence, including the body of the other suspect, which was still in the home.

That is strange. I can think of a few reasons but most of them pretty odd.

For instance, someone living under diplomatic immunity perhaps.

Odd for sure. Be interesting to see what the deal is.

 

[duckman007]

I've never been involved in a death case where a body was there that long. It would seem that something else is going on in this case for them to take that long to remove a body. Keep in mind that "victims" often lie and there may be a lot more to this than what is being released to the public. What appears to be a righteous shooting at face value, may very well be a drug deal gone bad, a domestic dispute, or anything for that matter. Again, people lie, and it may very well be that the victims and the suspects knew each other and that this was not some random act of violence.

 

[xXxplosive]

Obviously looking for drugs from the residents.

 

[LegalAlien]

That is strange. I can think of a few reasons but most of them pretty odd.

For instance, someone living under diplomatic immunity perhaps

Would diplomatic immunity apply to Mexican fence hoppers too????