GUNS IN THE NEWS--March 9, 2004

[MrBenchley]

As CO Liberal sez:
Please try to adhere to the following voluntary guidelines, in order that we can have an orderly discussion of gun-related news topics:
1 - Feel free to add any CURRENT stories to this thread by replying to this message. In order to be considered current, stories should have been originally posted on the Internet within the previous 24 hours, or provide follow-up to a story that was previously posted on the J/PS board. On Mondays (since many people do not log in to DU over the weekend), stories can be posted from Saturday, Sunday, or Monday.
2 - Both pro-gun and anti-gun stories, editorials, and press releases are welcome in this thread, as long as they're current. Please do not post links to items from a few years back that support your position.
3 - Bear in mind that any links to extremely right-wing sites (such as Newsmax, CNS, or the Washington Times) or intentionally pro-gun or pro-control sites (such as the NRA or the Brady Campaign) are not considered reliable sources by many DU-ers. If at all possible, try to find a link for your story from a more mainstream source, such as a general-circulation newspaper or magazine site. If you choose to use a slanted site, be prepared for any negative feedback you may receive.
4 - Do not change story titles. In other words, if the Oskosh Gazette's web site runs a story titled "Two Killed in Holdup", the title of your message should read "Two Killed in Holdup". Don't change it to "Gun Owner Kills Two People", or anything else that changes the meaning of the story.
5 - If it's not clear from the title where the story occurred, add the city, state, or country in parentheses after the title.
6 - The person adding a news story to the "GITN" thread is allowed (and encouraged) to comment on that story, indicating their position on the topic being discussed. These comments can appear either at the beginning or end of the post; if possible, place comments in a different typeface so readers can separate the comments from the story. Others who wish to comment on a posted story can do so by replying to that story; this allows other readers to follow the comments by scrolling through the subthread.
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8 - If you object to these guidelines, do everyone else a favor and go to another thread.

[MrBenchley]

1. Seattle shooting leaves 2 dead, 2 injured

"Two males were killed and two others were being treated for gunshot wounds — one with life-threatening injuries — when a man opened fire in front of a South Park home in Seattle last night, police said.
Police had few details. Witnesses told investigators a man approached the home in the 500 block of South Cloverdale Street about 9 p.m. and fired at a group of young people in front of the house at close range, Nollette said.
Another young man in a car in front of the home also was shot.
It's unclear how many shots were fired, but there were seven spent shell casings in front of the home. "

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001874882_shootings09m.html

[MrBenchley]

2. Charges Filed Against Buckner Boy Found With Loaded Gun (KS)

"The 12-year-old boy is a student at Osage Trail Middle School. Last week, he left his parents a note, saying he was tired of being bullied and had taken the weapons. The boy's parents called police, who located the child walking down a street. Authorities said the boy was carrying a loaded .38-caliber pistol, bullets and a knife. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040308/lo_kmbc/2042184

[RoeBear]

3. I applaud those parents...

...for their decision to call the police. That couldn't have been easy.

[MrBenchley]

4. 2 People Found Shot In Street (MO)

"Two people were found shot near 45th and Forrest Monday afternoon, KMBC reported.
The victims were found inside a white car. They were taken to an area hospital, where their conditions and identities have not been released. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040309/lo_kmbc/2042297

[MrBenchley]

5. Police Close To Making Arrest In River Shooting (PA)

"Newberry Township police said they are close to making an arrest in the sniper case.
Police told News 8 that they have identified the man they believe is the shooter based on the statements of two other men who were at the crime scene, but the suspect has not yet been arrested.
The sniper allegedly fired on fishermen from a location overlooking the Susquehanna River last Monday. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040308/lo_wgal/2042288

[MrBenchley]

30. Nabbed 'em!

Runn of the mill gun-owning idiots, not snipers....I'm certainly reassured...

"Police Tuesday charged Kyle Mitzel, 27, Mike Mitzel, 28, Justin Herman, 20, and Jessie Leonhard, 19 with reckless endangerment, simple assault and disorderly conduct. All four suspects are from Manchester.
Police said the men were firing their weapons at the river for fun.
"The acts that occurred were not intentional acts to cause serious bodily injury or death of anyone else. This is not, and I repeat, this is not a situation where there were people up in the woods who were trying to kill or maim people who were just enjoying the day fishing or doing any such activities for their own pleasure," said Tim Barker, York County prosecutor.
The men allegedly fired on fishermen from a location overlooking the Susquehanna River last Monday. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040309/lo_wgal/2043902

[Romulus]

6. Intruder Shot, Killed in Anderson Home (SC)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040308/lo_wyff/2040908

(Full text below)

One man is dead after a shooting in Anderson late Sunday night.

Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore said the shooting happened just before midnight at 1208A N. Main St.

Shore said a man broke into the apartment looking for money and found an ax. The man living in the apartment grabbed a gun and shot the intruder in the neck when the intruder came at him with the ax.

The intruder, Earnest Leroy Miles, 41, of Anderson, died at Anderson Area Medical Center a short time later.

Detectives said the apartment resident, Lance Myers, will not face charges.

[MrBenchley]

7. I-680 shooting sparked by clash (CA)

"Some bad driving. A few less-than-friendly hand gestures on Interstate 680 on the Sunol Grade. And suddenly, a Vallejo passenger was fingering a bullet hole in his face -- the victim of a road-rage shooting.
The shooting, which occurred at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, does not appear to be related to a string of eight shootings two weeks ago on a 10-mile stretch of Interstate 580 between Castro Valley and San Leandro.
No one was injured in that rash of shootings, but East Bay motorists have been terrorized, prompting the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Monday to announce a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the sniper.
On Sunday, the victim and two friends dialed 911 to report the shooting into their Mitsubishi sedan just north of Mission Boulevard in Fremont, said California Highway Patrol Sgt. Wayne Ziese."

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/8140801.htm

[Romulus]

8. Store Owner Kills Untruders, Fears Retribution (CA)

http://www.thekcrachannel.com/news/2906708/detail.html

SACRAMENTO, Calif.

*snip*

Chong Her, 67, said his Franklin Boulevard store has repeatedly been burglarized. Her also lives on the premises, and said he was sleeping early Saturday morning when two young men broke into the store.

Authorities said the men broke in through the roof about 3 a.m. and confronted Her, who was armed with a shotgun. Her shot and killed both men.

*snip*

On Sunday, Her found his storefront vandalized and a memorial set up for the dead men with flowers and burning candles. "It's very unfortunate that people don't get the message that these two suspects were criminals ... they were not victims in this case," (sheriff's dept. spokesman) Fatur said.

*snip/more*


I guess these two are more "victims of gun violence."

[MrBenchley]

9. Oakland Bar Shooting Kills 1 (PA)

"City police said the shooting happened just before 2 a.m. at the Luna Bar & Grill in the 300 block of North Craig Street. Two people fired at the victim, and one of the shots hit him in the head.
The victim was taken to UPMC Presbyterian and pronounced dead 15 minutes later. His name has not been released. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040309/lo_wtae/2042830

[MrBenchley]

10. Man Fatally Shot at L.I. Masonic Temple

"PATCHOGUE, N.Y. - A man was fatally shot at a Masonic temple during what police said was an initiation ceremony.
William James, 47, of Medford, was participating in an induction Monday night at the Southside Masonic Lodge when another member pulled out a real gun instead of a fake and shot him, Suffolk County police said. James suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Albert Eid, 76, of Patchogue, was arrested and faced an arraignment Tuesday, said Officer Al Prim, a Suffolk County Police spokesman. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040309/ap_on_re_us/fatal_ceremony_1

[MrBenchley]

11. Woman Finds Boyfriend Shot, Sons Missing (MO)

"A Kansas City woman returned home from work early Monday morning and found her boyfriend lying dead in her apartment and her two young sons missing. Police issued an Amber Alert for the boys and searched for several hours until Christopher Denson, 10, and Garry Denson, 12, turned up at police headquarters, brought there by their older brother.
At about 8:45 a.m. Monday, officers were called to 5605 E. 17th St. regarding a shooting. KMBC's Peggy Breit reported that the boys' mother told police she left the residence at 5:30 a.m. for her job as a school bus driver. When she returned, she found her new boyfriend dead and ran to a neighbor's home for help. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040309/lo_kmbc/2041432

[MrBenchley]

12. Child Shot Inside Gun Store (OH)

"COSHOCTON, Ohio -- A 2 1/2-year-old child was airlifted to The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus after reportedly being shot in the leg Monday afternoon.
NewsChannel 4 reported that the shooting occurred just before 2 p.m. at Woodbury Outfitters, a gun store.
Coshocton County sheriff's deputies said store clerk John Bryant was showing a man how to load a gun. The employee thought the chamber was clear, but it wasn't, deputies said. When Bryant tried to take the bullet out of the gun, it fired, and a bullet ricocheted off the floor and struck the man's son, Ryan Gildow, in the leg, NewsChannel 4's Duarte Geraldino reported."

http://www.nbc4columbus.com/news/2905919/detail.html

[Romulus]

13. that's a lawsuit in the making n/t

[MrBenchley]

14. Good thing the Democrats destroyed that immunity bill...

[slackmaster]

17. Non sequitur

The immunity bill before Congress would not have affected anyone's ability to sue a gun store in this kind of incident.

[MrBenchley]

15. Car Passenger May Have Been Shooting Gun (MI)

"Officers from the Waterford Police department were called to the area of Pontiac Lake and Shoman roads after reports of a tan Oldsmobile carrying a driver and another passenger who was pointing a handgun out of an open window.
Residents told officers they had heard gunshots.
Two officers located the four-door vehicle in the area of Cooley Lake Road near Lochaven. The driver and a 34-year-old Waterford Township resident were taken into custody. A .40 caliber handgun and ammunition were recovered from the vehicle. There were no injuries reported. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040309/lo_wdiv/2043212

[MrBenchley]

16. 1 Man Shot During Apartment Parking Lot Argument

"Pasadena police are investigating a Monday night shooting at the Allen Square Apartments.
Officials said an argument broke out between three men standing in the complex's parking lot drinking late Monday night on the 1100 block of Queens Road.
During the argument, police said one man pulled out a gun and shot at another man.
The third man tried to take the victim to the hospital, but police pulled him over. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040309/lo_kprc/2043047

[MrBenchley]

18. Gunfire exchange injures man, 79 (GA)

"Police wounded a 79-year-old Tucker man who allegedly fired shots at them Sunday afternoon. The shooting occurred after John R. Comer's wife, Doris, called police to their home in the 4100 block of Theresa Court. Police say Comer began shooting at two police officers who entered the house. Police say one of the officers returned fire, wounding Comer, who was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries."

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/copbriefs/index.html#b

[MrBenchley]

19. Death For Sniper Killer

Bad week for the Bullseye Gun Shop...they're still on the hook for arming their best customer, and now they're going to lose his business....

"MANASSAS, Va. (CBS) John Allen Muhammad was sentenced to death Tuesday for his role in a series of sniper shootings that killed 10 people and terrorized the Washington area in 2002.
Circuit Judge LeRoy F. Millette Jr. turned aside a plea from Muhammad's lawyers to spare their client's life. He ordered Muhammad executed on Oct. 14, but that date likely will be postponed to allow appeals.
Muhammad, 43, was convicted of capital murder on Nov. 17 and a jury recommended he be sentenced to death for the murder of Dean Harold Meyers at a gas station.
Meyers' death was one of 13 shootings during a three-week span in October 2002. "

http://keyetv.com/topstories/topstories_story_069110556.html

[MrBenchley]

20. Ball State student slain (IN)

"MUNCIE, Ind. -- Police arrested two teens Monday in the killing of Karl Harford, a Ball State University student who was found fatally shot hours after agreeing to drive strangers home from a late-night party.
The 2002 Carmel High School graduate, known for his helpfulness, was the only person who would drive the strangers home. In return, police say, the three suspects -- one still at large -- robbed and killed him.
Harford's body was found early Sunday in the back seat of his parents' 1993 Mercury, said Muncie Police Deputy Chief Terry Winters.
Police have arrested two teenagers, one a juvenile, on preliminary charges of robbery and murder, Winters said, and continue to seek the suspect they believe was the gunman."

http://www.indystar.com/articles/8/127826-1338-009.html

[MrBenchley]

21. Two more arrested in slaying case (IN)

"Two more suspects are in custody today, including the man deputies say fired the fatal shots that killed a 19-year-old city resident described by his twin brother as a "working man" proud of his blue-collar roots.
Joshua McAtee died after his white 1987 Ford pickup was riddled with bullets Sunday afternoon. The number of people involved in the incident outside a Far-Northside apartment complex has grown almost daily.
The seven teens arrested reportedly forced Joshua McAtee's pickup to stop in the 7900 block of Township Line Road about 1 p.m. Sunday, then opened fire. McAtee, a landscaper who also sold wood to make a living, was fatally wounded not far from his home, Marion County sheriff's deputies said."

http://www.indystar.com/articles/6/127851-6766-093.html

[MrBenchley]

22. Area Vendor Found Shot To Death In Van (OH)

"A well-known vendor was found shot to death in his van at Trader's World early Monday morning.
William Doolittle Jr., 41, was found at about 2:30 a.m. in the Stony Ridge Inn parking lot at state Route 63 and Interstate 75 in Monroe, WLWT Eyewitness News 5's Raegan Butler reported Monday.
Investigators said they have 10 strong leads, but have not made any arrests. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040309/lo_wlwt/2042403

[MrBenchley]

23. Woman, 55, Shot At Uptown Grocery (LA)

"The 55-year-old woman, whose name has not been released, was the owner of Kim's grocery store at 3233 Loyola St. near Harmony Street. She was shot once in the head. She was taken to Charity Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040309/lo_wdsu/2043603

[MrBenchley]

24. Two sneak guns into E. St. Louis schools

"Two students, 11 and 15, sneaked semiautomatic pistols past security at two East St. Louis schools Wednesday morning, prompting panicked administrators at one of the schools to lock students in their classrooms for nearly two hours.
Students at East St. Louis Senior High School huddled behind locked classroom doors while police searched for a 15-year-old boy who authorities said had brandished a loaded semiautomatic pistol. Witnesses told police that the boy had threatened to shoot a teacher with whom he had quarreled earlier Wednesday morning.
Police were called to the school about 8:15 a.m.
Fifteen minutes later and 16 blocks away at Clark Middle School, police arrested an 11-year-old student after a teacher found him clutching a .25-caliber semiautomatic pistol. The weapon was not loaded, but the boy's 12-year-old brother, also a student at the school, was found holding the bullets, East St. Louis Deputy Police Chief Rudy McIntosh said. "

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/4E1EBC708A7D1E5886256E460014C1CB?OpenDocument&Headline=Two+sneak+guns+into+E.+St.+Louis+schools++

[MrBenchley]

25. POLICE SEARCHING FOR ROAD RAGE, SHOOTING SUSPECTS

"(03-09-2004) - Homicide detectives are investigating a weekend road rage incident that has a 17-year-old girl clinging to life.
The girl and her 19-year-old cousin were driving home from Mexico on the 805, near Palm Avenue, when they noticed a truck racing toward them.
According to the cousin, the pick-up truck pulled alongside their car, and the passenger in the truck pulled out a gun and shot into the car, hitting the girl.
“He struck the driver in the left shoulder and that bullet passed through the driver's shoulder and struck the 17-year-old victim in the head,” said Lt. Jim Duncan with the San Diego Homicide Department. "

http://www.kfmb.com/topstory23043.html

Wonder if its somebody who buys Larry Pratt's racist anti-immigrant crap?

[slackmaster]

27. How does anti-immigrant crap relate to this story?

I don't see any mention of race or ethnicity or citizenship or immigration status of the victims or the assailants.

:shrug:

[MrBenchley]

26. ARRAIGNMENT SET FOR STUDENTS ACCUSED IN MURDER PLOT (CA)

"(03-09-2004) - Two 14-year-old boys arrested on suspicion of plotting to kill a teacher at Palm Middle School in Lemon Grove will be arraigned Wednesday in Juvenile Court, officials said.
The boys face charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a firearm on school grounds and possession of a concealed weapon, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
The plot was thwarted after several students told parents and teachers that they heard the boys discuss plans to shoot the teacher for giving one of them a failing grade, said Superintendent Lean King of the Lemon Grove School District.
"We are praising the students and staff in preventing a disaster from occurring," King said. "These students were brave in breaking the code of silence so common on campuses, and we are proud of them." "

http://www.kfmb.com/topstory23057.html

[MrBenchley]

28. Herbert Collins, 63, of Montgomery accidentally shot himself (AL)

"Herbert Collins, 63, of Montgomery accidentally shot himself in the ankle around 10:45 a.m. Monday morning after his gun fell, causing the trigger to engage, at the corner of San Jacinto and Mills in Conroe.
Conroe Police Department officers said Collins is licensed to carry a handgun. At the time, Collins was visiting friends at the Mobile One Auto Repair shop at 406 S. San Jacinto. "

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1569&dept_id=180944&newsid=11092561&PAG=461&rfi=9

[MrBenchley]

29. Vendetta motivated shooting at Rochester Hills Albanian church (MI)

"Gjon Pepaj, 38, is charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Sufaj, 38 of Madison Heights. Authorities say Sufaj was shot nine times on March 30 during a Mass packed with about 1,200 people at St. Paul Albanian Catholic Church in Rochester Hills.
A witness seated near Pepaj told authorities Pepaj rested a 9 mm handgun on her shoulder and fired. She said she feared it was a terrorist attack, Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Paul Walton told jurors Monday in the first day of Pepaj's trial."

http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm18814_20040309.htm

[MrBenchley]

31. Man Found Dead In School Yard (PA)

"One person is dead after a shooting in a school yard of the former Jefferson School at Lincoln and Thomas streets in York Tuesday afternoon.
Police said Vincenzo Raineri, of York, was found dead at the former school.
"It raises concern a little bit. It was during broad daylight and in a residential neighborhood, but we're concerned about every shooting that takes place," Lt. Wes Kahley said. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040309/lo_wgal/2043784

[MrBenchley]

32. 2 Killed In Drive-By Shooting (TX)

"Two men were shot to death in northwest Houston Tuesday, as they sat in their car talking to people inside another vehicle, News2Houston reported.
The men were in a white Mustang in the 9100 block of Pecos around 11:45 a.m. talking to occupants in a red Mustang when a third car drove by and opened fire, police said.
"A conversation went on between some people in the two cars -- possibly 20 to 30 minutes worth of conversation -- and they didn't see this white (vehicle) pull up, but apparently that may have been what sparked the gunfire," said D.S. Null, with the Houston Police Homicide Division. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040309/lo_kprc/2044124