Amazing shot cited as self-defense. Police bullet lodged in gunman's weapon: "A highly improbable shot left an officer's bullet in the cylinder of a gunman's revolver, and police say it's a pretty clear sign that the officers who shot the man faced a deadly threat. "Physically, it is impossible to conclude anything other than the fact the suspect was pointing directly at the officers," Deputy Chief Clark Kimerer said Wednesday, adding, "I've not seen anything quite like that in my 24 years." Wednesday, the King County Medical Examiner's Office had yet to release the identity of the gunman and were still trying to notify his next of kin. Kimerer said the man turned 18 about a month ago.... At a news conference at police headquarters Wednesday, Kimerer said investigators learned that the gunman had had an argument with a female friend shortly before the shooting.... A merchant called 911, as did others. Two East Precinct patrol officers arrived in less than two minutes, he said. The two officers approached the young man near a bus stop. Though the man was suspected of being armed, the officers did not see a weapon, so at first they planned to restrain him. When the man turned to face them, the officers ordered him to get on the ground and show his hands. The warning, Kimerer said, was heard by several witnesses. Instead of complying, "the suspect reached behind his back with both hands," he said. Out came a revolver, police officers said. The officers ordered the man to drop the gun. Instead, police said, he squared up against them. "The officers returned fire in response to that deadly threat," Kimerer said... Fire medics arrived but were unable to revive the man."




Michigan progress: "Lawmakers are working on a package of bills that would strengthen the right of Michiganians to shoot felons who are breaking into their homes or attacking them on the street. Fleeing or retreating no longer would be the first duty of law-abiding citizens facing physical harm. They could meet force with force and not fear prosecution or lawsuits, under measures that worry prosecutors but nevertheless are moving through the House and Senate. "Why on earth should we have to retreat from the criminal element in society?" asked Sen. Alan Cropsey, R-DeWitt, the leading sponsor of one of the main bills in the Senate. He said the goal is to create a new law that better lays out the ground rules for self-defense. Clear regulations also have become important now that more people are carrying handguns for self-protection. Citizens are permitted to defend themselves under current law, but they are supposed to flee if possible. In testimony at hearings, a University of Michigan professor told lawmakers the existing rule gives criminals the advantage by making their victims hesitant."