Mississippi: Black teen set free in shooting death: "A Jackson 19-year-old who said he shot and killed a man who had constantly bullied and robbed him is free of a murder charge after a Hinds County grand jury didn't indict him. Kentarus Christmas was released from the Hinds County Detention Center late Tuesday. Christmas was charged with murder in the Nov. 10 shooting death of Michael Smith, 21, of Jackson outside a business off East Fortification Street. During Christmas' preliminary hearing in December, his attorney, Assistant Public Defender Matthew Eichelberger, called Michael Smith a thug and said his client deserved a key to the city instead of being in handcuffs. "This is great news. I'm overjoyed for Ken and his family, and I'm proud of the people of Hinds County for recognizing this for what it was - justifiable homicide," Eichelberger said Tuesday. "Now Ken can go on with his life, free of harassment from both the justice system and Michael Smith." Robert Shuler Smith, no relationship to Michael Smith, said he doesn't know why the grand jury didn't indict Christmas but said the grand jury probably took into consideration Smith's criminal history of robbing people. Police said Christmas voluntarily gave a statement confessing to shooting Smith but said there had been an ongoing situation in which Smith had repeatedly robbed and bullied him. Christmas was apprehended while fleeing the scene the night Smith was shot. A 9-mm handgun was recovered. Smith, who was shot multiple times, later died at Baptist Medical Center."


Nevada: Intruder shot in NW Reno: "Reno police responded this morning to a shooting on Chesterfield Lane in Northwest Reno. Scanner traffic indicates that a resident shot at an intruder at around 7 a.m. The intruder apparently ran away after the shots were fired and has not been located. The resident has stated that he does not know if he hit the intruder when he fired at him. More details were not available."


SD students may be able to carry guns at college: "Supporters of a bill to allow guns on university campuses advocate self-defense while opponents say it would put more innocent lives in danger. HB1261 calls for no university to expel or penalize anyone who carries or possesses a firearm in accordance with state law. Universities could require firearms in a dormitory be stored in a locked gun safe. Nancy First, South Dakota coordinator for Second Amendment Sisters, supports the bill because law-abiding citizens are entitled to their basic right of self-defense. If criminals knew someone might be armed at their intended crime scene, it would serve as a deterrent, she said. "A firearm is the best means of self-defense for a woman," First said. Legislative discussion about the bill is spurred by last year's shootings at Virginia Tech where 32 people died at the hands of a student. Main sponsor Rep. Thomas Brunner, R-Nisland, said most mass shootings have occurred in areas where guns are banned. If more people carried guns, they could stop mass murderers before they kill so many, he said. "Should a person have less freedom and safety than anyone else simply because he or she attends college?" Brunner said. Gov. Mike Rounds said he doesn't object to the bill's concept. He hasn't read the bill, but understands the goal is to make it clear students can carry a gun on campus."