... and in Florida, a teacher kills armed masked intruder

[moroni]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2009/02/16/0216invader.html

WELLINGTON — A popular middle school band teacher shot and killed a masked gunman who broke into his house and forced him into a gunfight early today, authorities said.

Heath Miller, 34, of Wellington leveled a .38-caliber pistol and shot the robber in the duplex at 1382 White Pine Drive about 2 a.m., according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

<snip>

The gunman was identified as Robert Rashard Tomlin, 22, who lived down the street from Miller.

Detectives had yet to pinpoint why Tomlin, who dressed in black and wielded a .40-caliber handgun, targeted Miller's duplex.

<snip>

The owner of the duplex, Angelo Palumbo, drove up to the property just before 10:30 a.m. and walked in to survey the damage.

He said he saw some bullet holes scattered through the house, and said the rear sliding glass door was shattered.

Palumbo, who described Miller as a "very good tenant," said the neighborhood is in decline.

[geckosfeet]

1. Shot in the duplex - thats gotta hurt.

[Jim Sagle]

2. DAMN you, geckosfeet! You stole my line -verbatim!

;)

[geckosfeet]

6. Damn me? Sorry - late again - I have already been damned.

[jody]

3. "neighborhood is in decline" is why many law-abiding citizens exercise their RKBA for self-defense.

[spin]

4. The intruder was an interesting person...

Tomlin's friends and family described him as a quiet, fun-loving man who played football and basketball and lifted weights. He had a 2-year-old son, Rashard Jr. Darryl Woodson, 21, Tomlin's friend and roommate, said they often would sit up nights sipping beers and spinning freestyle rap lyrics.

Sounded like a really nice guy to me. Then I read this:

Tomlin was arrested six times since 2006 on charges including aggravated battery and violating probation, state records show.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2009/02/16/0216invader.html

edited to correct HTML error

[geckosfeet]

5. Ahhh. The proverbial person interest,,,

[virginia mountainman]

7. I wonder if the school has a zero tolerance policy??

Since a while back a photo of a teacher holding a gun was almost enough to get one fired, I wonder what actual use of a gun in self defence would net that teacher??

After all, we would not want to send the wrong message to the children now would we??

[slackmaster]

8. Tragic waste of life

Mr. Tomlin made some bad choices.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

9. Kicked