(TN) Intruder targeting Hispanics is shot by victim 05-31-03
Address:http://www.newschannel9.com/vnews/topstories/1054420679/ Home
Invader Killed in Highland Park
Story by Erica Donerson on Sat, May 31st 2003
Early this morning, the tenth home invasion--in 11 days--took place in
the Highland Park neighborhood.
But, this time something different happened.
One of the victims shot and killed one of the intruders. A neighbor
says maybe now the thieves will back off.
"Everybody who wants some easy money, we are ready to fight back," says
Rafael Rivera.
Rivera says he's tired of thieves targeting Hispanic people.
Around two o'clock Saturday morning, his neighbors were robbed at
gunpoint. Three black men kicked in the front door of the home at 1619
South Orchard Knob Avenue. One robber demanded money from the Hispanic
men inside.
"So, one of the Hispanics said, 'I don't have no money.' So, he shot him
in the face," says Rivera.
As the bleeding man fell to the floor, another resident ran into a back
room, grabbed his gun and shot one of the robbers several times. All
three suspects, including the wounded robber, fled on foot. But, the one
who was shot, 19-year-old Christopher Leon Benn, died just outside the
house he had tried to rob.
Investigators are searching for the other two men. They're not certain
if this robbery is connected to the nine previous home invasions in this
community. But, Rivera believes they're all related.
"We're trying to get the American Dream. So far, we're getting
nightmares. But, there are going to be better days," says Rivera.
Chattanooga Police Officer Craig Joel says the resident shot in the head
is Pascual Gomez. He is currently at Erlanger Medical Center in critical
condition.
As of now, the resident who fired the fatal shots at the intruder will
not face charges.
Investigators say it was self-defense.
Fair use
http://www.robertwaters.net
Address:http://www.newschannel9.com/vnews/topstories/1054420679/ Home
Invader Killed in Highland Park
Story by Erica Donerson on Sat, May 31st 2003
Early this morning, the tenth home invasion--in 11 days--took place in
the Highland Park neighborhood.
But, this time something different happened.
One of the victims shot and killed one of the intruders. A neighbor
says maybe now the thieves will back off.
"Everybody who wants some easy money, we are ready to fight back," says
Rafael Rivera.
Rivera says he's tired of thieves targeting Hispanic people.
Around two o'clock Saturday morning, his neighbors were robbed at
gunpoint. Three black men kicked in the front door of the home at 1619
South Orchard Knob Avenue. One robber demanded money from the Hispanic
men inside.
"So, one of the Hispanics said, 'I don't have no money.' So, he shot him
in the face," says Rivera.
As the bleeding man fell to the floor, another resident ran into a back
room, grabbed his gun and shot one of the robbers several times. All
three suspects, including the wounded robber, fled on foot. But, the one
who was shot, 19-year-old Christopher Leon Benn, died just outside the
house he had tried to rob.
Investigators are searching for the other two men. They're not certain
if this robbery is connected to the nine previous home invasions in this
community. But, Rivera believes they're all related.
"We're trying to get the American Dream. So far, we're getting
nightmares. But, there are going to be better days," says Rivera.
Chattanooga Police Officer Craig Joel says the resident shot in the head
is Pascual Gomez. He is currently at Erlanger Medical Center in critical
condition.
As of now, the resident who fired the fatal shots at the intruder will
not face charges.
Investigators say it was self-defense.
Fair use
http://www.robertwaters.net
