(TX) Robbery suspect found dead after gunbattle

[Drizzt]

Robbery suspect found dead after gunbattle

By S.K. BARDWELL

Police say a man found shot to death in south Houston early today is believed to a would-be robber who exchanged gunfire with a homeowner's son a couple hours earlier.

A woman who lives on Darlinghurst near Fleetwell told police she saw four armed, masked men breaking into a nearby vacant home about 11 p.m. Monday, and called her son to come to her house.

When he arrived, police said he retrieved a gun from his mother's house and the two went outside to check on the suspected burglars but suddenly found themselves confronted by the group.

Police said the woman was grabbed by one of the armed men and held briefly. When she struggled free, her son exchanged gunfire with the men as they ran away, police said.

Police called to investigate the incident began a search of the area and, about 1 a.m., the body of a gunshot victim was found in the back yard of a home five houses from where the skirmish took place.

Police said evidence probably will be referred to a grand jury without charges.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2987389

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

In California we are required to retire to our safe rooms and hold fire until we see the red veins of the bad guys' eyes.

 

[TheEgg]

When he arrived, police said he retrieved a gun from his mother's house and the two went outside to check on the suspected burglars but suddenly found themselves confronted by the group.

This whole story stinks. Needs extensive investigation.

 

[Andrew Rothman]

Looks like either really bad judgement or a made-up story.

Why risk your life in defense of another's property?

And why didn't mom call the cops instead of sonny-boy?

Something stinks.

 

[LawDog]

Why risk your life in defense of another's property?

Could have been the house of a friend of theirs. They may have wanted to dissuade future burglars in their neighborhood.

And why didn't mom call the cops instead of sonny-boy?

I hate to say it, but in some parts of Houston her son would get to the scene faster than HPD. Friend of mine at HPD tells me that it's nothing special to start her shift with 15-20 waiting calls assigned to her car.

LawDog

 

[Andrew Rothman]

I suppose that is possible, but I ain't risking perforation to protect my neighbor's Sylvania!

 

[carebear]

I don't know about y'all but my first inclination when anything catches my eye or puts me on edge is not to "call the police."

I check out bumps in the night, I wander over to see what all the shouting is about, I hover obtrusively when it seems like someone "might" be in a developing risky situation unaware.

I'd probably call the cops for a break-in as described, but I'd be doing it from my cell phone and checking the situation out a little. (I'd leave mom at home, she's got an itchy trigger finger )

Call me stupid.

Call me curious.

Call me a GSC, wanna-be hee-ro.

Call me whatever you want, but I'm not going to cower in my home, peeking through the curtains, any time something "might be dangerous maybe kinda."

 

[TheEgg]

Carebear

Were do you want the flowers sent?

Seriously, whenever I see anything weird, suspicious, or dangerous looking going down, I un-a** the area immediately. May call the cops, if indicated.

I do NOT put on my Bat-belt and swing into action.

 

[saltydog452]

carebear said..

Well said carebear..wish we were neighbors..

salty.

 

[carebear]

Were do you want the flowers sent?

Send 'em to my mom, Egg. Tell her to avenge me.

Oh, and when I wear it, it's a "Matt-belt," and I more "ga-lump" into action.

Seriously, I just want to make it clear that, to me, there's a distinct and important difference between "looking for trouble" and just being a responsible person and that I do not take reality or risk lightly.

 

[TheEgg]

Sadly, my Bat-Belt shrunk years ago (and darn it, they assured me that it wouldn't do that!).

 

[OrvilleYertleson]

The way this story reads, the son was able to get to the mother before the police arrived, which I would do as well.

What I wouldn't do, and the mistake on his part, was for both of them to then go looking for trouble.

If he had found the bad guys and then opened fire at this point, I don't know whether he would be able to get away with it (though it is texas).

However, they tried to abduct his mother, and then they EXCHANGED fire as the bad guys were running away. If he simply shot them in the back, while they were trying to get away then it's murder, but if they are shooting at him, regardless of their attempts to add distance, then he was justified in using lethal force even though he was a dumbass for exacerbating the situation.

 

[carebear]

Sadly, my Bat-Belt shrunk years ago

I'm visualizing the belt scene from "The Incredibles" right now.

 

[280PLUS]

Robbery suspects SHOULD be found dead after gunbattles,,,

 

[ShaiVong]

One perp dead, no innocents hurt, whats the problem?

 

[Standing Wolf]

Robbery suspects SHOULD be found dead after gunbattles...

It's not a sport if it can't kill you.