28 June, 2011

CA: Jewelry Store Robbers Identified: Fatal Shootings Appear Justified: "A would-be robber was holding a handgun to the stomach of an employee of Monaco Jewelers when another employee drew his own weapon and shot the gunman dead, authorities said today, releasing the most detailed account yet of the Friday shooting. After the first shots were fired, a second robber advanced on the armed employee, who fired again and killed the second robber, Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jim Amormino said. “The investigation is continuing, but at this point it looks like a case of self-defense,” Amormino said of the jewelry-store employee’s decision to fire. The statement, by attorney Bonnie Fine of Fine & Woliung, says the owner's 19-year-old son and wife were forced the ground a gunpoint during the robbery, while the manager-a "dear friend" of the owner was held at gunpoint. The two dead men were identified as Robert Earl Avery, 39, of Los Angeles and Desmond Brown, 39, of Los Angeles."


TX: Small-town killing may be self-defense: "A man is dead after a confrontation in Throckmorton. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, 63-year-old Brian Blair, of Midland, was shot and killed by 48-year-old David Sprawls, of Throckmorton, on Saturday. DPS told KTXS when Blair went to Sprawls home on Minters Street, they got in an argument and Blair attacked Sprawls with a knife. That’s when Sprawls shot and killed Blair. The Texas Rangers are investigating this case. As of Monday afternoon, no charges had been filed against Sprawls because the shooting appears to be self-defense."


FL: Home invader shot and killed: "After Indian River County investigators went to investigate a burglary call at a home in a quiet beach community in Indian River County, they found a 21-year-old man shot dead. The incident took place early Sunday morning at a house in the 9400 block of Periwinkle Drive in the Summer Place subdivision of Wabasso Beach. Indian River County Sheriff's investigators say after the homeowner heard thumping at his home, he found a 21 year old male, Jack Newstedt, who appeared to be breaking in. Authorities say it was shortly after that, the young man lunged at the homeowner and the homeowner pulled the trigger. "I wouldn't choose Clay's house to break into and I know that he's incredibly fit and armed that's just not a good choice," Cox said."


NC: Home invader shot at door: "A man who was house-sitting for a friend heard something on the porch, said Capt. Jay Burch, of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office. When the victim came to the door, a suspect kicked it in and stuck an arm through the open doorway as the victim pushed back on the door. The suspect dropped a revolver on the floor, which the victim picked up and fired toward the outside, striking and killing a juvenile police believe was involved in the crime. The remaining suspects returned fire, Burch said, but the victim was not injured. The suspect killed at the scene was a 17-year-old Marqiz Te’vonn Thomas, who Burch said was on weekend pass from the Edgecombe Youth Development Center. Burch said current information appears to favor the victim. “As it stands right now, he was within the laws of the state of North Carolina in defending the home,” Burch said."