3 dead in Lilburn (GA) home invasion

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 01-12-04 | MIKE MORRIS

[Kennesaw]

3 dead in Lilburn home invasion

By MIKE MORRIS Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer

The victims: William Venable Sr. and William Venable Jr.

A longtime teacher and coach at Tucker High School and his 17-year-old son were killed Tuesday night during a home invasion in Gwinnett County.

Gwinnett police said Coach Bill Venable's home was the second house the suspect had barged into during a late-night crime spree that ended when police shot and killed the suspect.

"Lilburn police responded to a home invasion at 4813 Lula Street," said Gwinnett police Cpl. Dan Huggins. "The suspect came into the residence, demanded money, and also stole a red Honda Civic."

The suspect then drove the stolen car about a mile to the Woodfalls subdivision in Lilburn, where he entered Venable's house on Woodfall Way, "and that's when the killing started," Huggins said.

"The suspect entered that residence, and there were three people home, a male, a female and their son," he said. "The suspect got into some type of struggle with the 55-year-old male, and the son came downstairs to see what the commotion was."

The man -- later identified as the Tucker coach -- and his son, Bill Venable Jr., were shot.

The teen died at the scene, and his father died later at Gwinnett Medical Center.

After the shooting, the suspect fled on foot into nearby woods.

Helicopters and dogs were called in to track the suspect, and the suspect opened fire on a police dog, hitting the dog twice.

At that point, two Gwinnett police officers shot the suspect, Huggins said.

The unidentified suspect, who appeared to be in his early 20s, died at Gwinnett Medical Center.

The police dog, shot in the leg and chest, was taken to an emergency veterinarian clinic and was expected to survive, Huggins said.

A neighbor of the Venables, Delores Hendrix, said Venable's wife, Susan, was not hurt in the attack.

"I'm just making sure she's OK," Hendrix said Wednesday. "She came to my house. We've been neighbors for years. We're still obviously very distraught over what happened. It's just a horrible thing."

Tucker High School principal David Butler said Hendrix, who is in his Sunday School class, called him shortly after the shootings to tell him what had happened.

Police were not sure how the suspect entered the Venable home, Huggins said. "There does not appear that there was forced entry into the house," he said. "We don't know if the door was open or what the situation was at this point."

Huggins said the shooter apparently chose his victims at random.

"We don't have anything to indicate that this individual was ... connected to either residence," Huggins said.

According to the Tucker Tigers football team's Website, Venable and his wife had four children, a 19-year-old daughter, Amy, and sons Stephen, 27, Eddie, 24, and Bill Jr., 17.

Venable, who also coached the girl's track team and taught special education classes, received his bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia, and earned a master's degree from Georgia State University.

He had taught in the DeKalb school system for 25 years, the last 16 at Tucker High School. He formerly taught at the old Walker and Shamrock high schools.

Bill Venable Jr. was a senior at Tucker High School, and played center on the varsity football team.

Before classes started, Erica Ulmer, a high school junior, described the elder Venable as a a caring teacher. "He was very passionate about his coaching," she said.

She added that she was hesitant to go into the school building. "It's hard to go in there right now because everyone is crying."

Tucker Principal Scott Butler said the school would hold a moment of silence to remember the Venables Wednesday morning and and that officials would make an announcement about the deaths to students at 8:15 a.m.

Crisis teams also were at the school to talk with students.

Butler said Venable, who also taught special education students, had been at the school earlier Tuesday night for a wrestling meet.

Next-door neighbor Carla Parris called Bill Jr. "wonderful and polite, the perfect son -- everything was 'yes ma'am,' and 'yes, Mrs. Parris.' "

Parris, an administrator at Hughes Spalding Children's Hospital in Atlanta, said the teen often babysat for her children, 10-year-old Stephanie and 7-year-old Winston.

"Bill was the type of person, if I was really in a jam, I'd say, 'Bill, I've got to have a babysitter,' and he'd go, 'fine.' "

Parris said her family had lived next to the Venables for nearly nine years.

"I don't know how to explain this to my kids," she said. "What am I going to tell them?

[m1-lightning]

Actual Quote from Wilmette Illinois Cheif of Police George Carpenter, Jan 8, 2004 1:00 PM:

Wilmitte, Illinois

"If a resident believes there is an intuder in their home late at night, choosing to use a handgun actually reduces your family's safety. We want the Wilmette resident instead to immediately lock the door to the bedroom and dial 9-1-1, which will connect them in seconds to telecommunicators at the Wilmette Police Department. These experienced proffesionals will keep you on the line giving instuctions, and will ask relevant, important questions designed to result in a quick and effective police response. Your family's safety is far more likely to be preserved by calling 9-1-1, and allowing experienced police officers to search your home, than by arming yourself and searching your home in the dark without calling police."

[m1-lightning]

This is why guns should never be banned. I'm glad you found this article.

[FreedomPoster]

Just damn! This is maybe 10 miles from here. Closer to Guillermo, I believe.

I heard an early report on this around 7AM while out getting gas in the wife's car. That report was sketchy and generic, and I thought it could have been drug related.

[Jen]

Yikes! I got home from taking my kitty to the vet an hour ago and discovered my front door was unlocked. I hadn't opened it today, which makes me wonder if I left it unlocked all night! Well, it's locked now! And I'll be sure to be more vigilant. Thanks for the ping.

[Guillermo]

Tucker High is right around the corner from me...

Terrible tragedy...there is really nothing to comment on...

[CFW]

From Neal Boortz' webpage:

HOME INVASION ... THREE DEAD

We had a home invasion robbery near Atlanta last night. The predator broke into one home and stole a car. Then he broke into another home where he got into a fight with the occupants, a 55 year-old man and his 17 year-old son. The homeowner and his son didn't have a gun. The predator did. The man and his son are dead.

The predator was later tracked into the woods by police canine units. He shot one of the dogs and the police responded with gunfire of their own. The predator, thank God, is dead.

I don't know why the homeowner didn't have a gun in his home. Perhaps he believed some of that idiotic nonsense about guns being used more frequently to kill family members than to ward off criminals. Maybe he used to live in Chicago where it would have been illegal for him to even own a handgun, unless, of course, you're a high-level politician or friend of the mayor.

I hope some of you anti-gun nuts read this bit today. Here's a predator who had a gun, and a homeowner who didn't. The homeowner is dead. So is his son. What great work you anti-gun people are doing. Are you proud?

No ... I don't know about the condition of the dog. I'll update you. But for now let's just rejoice in the death of the predator.

[doodad]

Whew tried to post back twice and got dropped by the server.

What a terrible thing. He sounded like a nice guy, who raised a nice son. Pity a firearm wasn't handier. I still haven't heard yet the details. I wonder how he targeted these homes?

[LTCJ]

FP, please ping me also if there are significant developments on this.

[chuknospam]

bump

[eyespysomething]

HA! We are armed for self defense in out house, and it ain't locked up in a lockbox somewhere, gathering dust. And we sure as hell aren't going to hide in our bedroom with our kids in their's.

We have a plan and a back up plan worked out so if something like this happens, we can act, and act quick. Since it would be stupid to do so, no details here, but we have practiced it, with our 3 sons, so even if some panic sets in, we (mainly me and hubby) (ok, mainly me) would all have a notion of what to do. Just like fire drills.

Of course, they gotta get past the big black lab first; she don't take kindly to strangers.

This from a woman who used to be vehemently anti-gun. Then I got edumacated on firearms, and what was once fear is now knowledge. What a difference.

[eyespysomething]

I think they are saying it was random. Pure chance.

[TalBlack]

"Actual Quote from Wilmette Illinois Cheif of Police George Carpenter, Jan 8, 2004 1:00 PM:"

The quote by the Chief is both un-American and a damnable lie. That it is a lie this "professional" MUST be aware.

Makes you wonder what this "professional" is really after? It simply is BEYOND DEBATE that this "professional" knows perfectly well that he spoke a lie.

[doodad]

Pure chance.

Right, I heard that too. But, what tempted him if it was random? No dog? Type of door? How did he make entry to these two homes? Etc.

[dansangel]

.45MAN and I heard this on the 5am news. When I got to work I learned that the elder Bill Venable and the husband of a co-worker (also a coach) are (were) friends.

A totally senseless tragedy. Prayers for all concerned.

This is why there is a chair propped under the front door's knob (only entrance to apt) and guns at the ready each night when we retire. Call me paranoid, but this *is* Atlanta.

[Maigrey]

Sounds quite iffy to me also, where something smells.

[Jen]

Thanks for that info. I'm glad we have some firearms in our home for protection against something like this. I feel safer defending myself and my home rather than cowering in a bedroom waiting for help to arrive like the 'experts' suggest.

[Dixie Pirate]

I just sent their police department the following:


I just read, with utter amazement, your statement about being safer by calling 911 than using a firearm for self-defense. I'm glad I live in Florida. We still adhere to "Castle Doctrine" (see Black's Law Dictionary) and are proud to defend ourselves from intruders with deadly force. Our families are ultimately safer and the criminals obviously think that it IS a deterrent.

Steve Westbrook
Jacksonville, FL

P.S. This is America. We do still have the Second Amendment. Wake up.

[Politically Correct]

Thanks for that info. I'm glad we have some firearms in our home for protection against something like this. I feel safer defending myself and my home rather than cowering in a bedroom waiting for help to arrive like the 'experts' suggest.

Actually, hiding out in the bedroom while waiting for the cops, is a good idea.
You should, however, be in there with a reliable, and loaded, shotgun.

Searching your home for an intruder is, in general, not a good idea.....even if your armed. Wait for him to come to you.

[philetus]

If you get a reply, please post that too.

[Travis McGee]

Too bad he didn't run into a Georgian holding a .357 or .45.

[Travis McGee]

Will you hide in your locked bedroom, if you have an 8 year old daughter and 11 year old son down the hall?

[Dixie Pirate]

"If you get a reply, please post that too."

I doubt they have the guts to reply. Most Commies don't, but if they reply, I'll post it.

[Sloth]

These experienced proffesionals will keep you on the line giving instuctions making lots of unnecessary noise so the intruders will know where you are, and will ask relevant, important questions designed to result in a quick and effective police response death.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Had the robber lived, he would be another felon that the Democrats are trying to give the right to vote.

[Jen]

I re-read my post and it makes me sound like some Rambo-ette - which I'm not! hahahaha

My phrase "cowering in the bedroom" suggests being unarmed, terrified, helpless, defenseless - which I would hate to be. You worded what I was trying to say much better.

Searching your home for an intruder is, in general, not a good idea.....even if your armed. Wait for him to come to you.

Oh yeah! I'd like to have the element of surprise on my side if I ever meet up with a predator/intruder.

[m1-lightning]

Had the robber lived, he would be another felon that the Democrats are trying to give the right to vote.

You mean the American Civil Libertarian's Union.

[xsrdx]

Will you hide in your locked bedroom, if you have an 8 year old daughter and 11 year old son down the hall?

I would do what is absolutely necessary to ensure my family is safe - and no more.

One or two force on force simunition exercises should be enough to convince anyone that trying to clear their house ALONE against what may be more than one ARMED perp is a GREAT WAY to get shot.

Nothing wrong with arming yourself and protecting your loved ones, but the cop was HALF right when he said wandering through your house looking for trouble can get ugly, quick - even for operators that know how to conduct said search.

[xsrdx]

choosing to use a handgun actually reduces your family's safety

Complete, absolute total BullShat.

A little editing might help:

Your family's safety is far more likely to be preserved by (arming yourself), calling 9-1-1, and allowing experienced police officers to search your home, than by arming yourself and searching your home in the dark without calling police."

[Eva]

There is an article on Frontpage today about Condelezza Rice where she is quoted defending gun ownership:

One of the many dirty secrets of the Democratic Party is that its passion for gun control began, and continues to be, from a desire to disarm African-Americans and thereby make them powerless and dependent. Russian expert Michael McFaul, writes Russakoff, “remembers [Condoleezza] Rice telling him she opposed gun control and even gun registration because Bull Connor could have used it to disarm her father and others” in 1963. You can read the whole article HERE.I really hate it when good articles get posted at off times and get too little attention.

[m1-lightning]

I agree with you. It would be much more intelligent to inform the public on how to safely store and operate your firearms along with a safety procedure such as a bedroom barricade. The liberal leaders across America assume we are too irresponsible because we haven't had official police training - just like we were too irresponsible to spend our own money in the 90's because we weren't economic geniuses.

[Travis McGee]

All true, but where does that leave your young children down the hall?

[Kennesaw]

Thanks for posting the Condelezza Rice Article!!!

Great Article!!

[xsrdx]

All true, but where does that leave your young children down the hall?

I will ensure my family's safety - if that means I risk a trip down the hall, or whatever is required, so be it.

My personal safety is of no consequence unless/until my kids/spouse are safe; OTOH I work hard to make sure I win.

Securing my kids/spouse outweighs any risk involved - but once that is accomplished, getting into a gunfight on purpose is counterproductive.

My only point here is that unless you HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE, searching your house alone is exceedingly dangerous regardless of how well trained and equipped you may be.

[Eva]

Please bump the Rice article for me.

[The Toll]

I live very close to Tucker High also. This is very sad indeed, but good to see Freepers close by.

[nonsporting]

"If a resident believes there is an intuder in their home late at night, choosing to use a handgun actually reduces your family's safety. We want the Wilmette resident instead to immediately lock the door to the bedroom and dial 9-1-1, which will connect them in seconds to telecommunicators at the Wilmette Police Department. These experienced profesionals will keep you on the line giving instuctions, and will ask relevant, important questions designed to result in a quick and effective police response. Your family's safety is far more likely to be preserved by calling 9-1-1, and allowing experienced police officers to search your home, than by arming yourself and searching your home in the dark without calling police." (Wilmette Chief of Police)

Hi-res

[eleni121]

Mr. Carpenter should be fired. He is either a dunce or distracted from reality. In a situation such as this, the firearm would be used immediately to disable the invader and not a second too soon.

Locking myself in a bedroom and calling 911 would ensure the deaths of anyone in the house.

[Gritty]

a late-night crime spree

Somehow, this guy got in the house. But, it was late at night and the occupants should have been wary of a "visitor" at this time of night.

It sounds like the killer may have knocked, barged through the opened door, a scuffle ensued, the son showed up and then the shooting started. It's a shame Mr. Venerable didn't answer the door armed or his son didn't show up to the fight armed with more than just his fists. But, as the family apparently didn't own a firearm, they were stuck bringing empty hands to a gunfight in their own living room.

Calling 911 would not have changed a thing, assuming they had the time to do so while this was happening.

What a shame, and a tragedy for all!

[Vigilantcitizen]

Thanks for the ping, friend.

"At that point, two Gwinnett police officers shot the suspect, Huggins said.

The unidentified suspect, who appeared to be in his early 20s, died at Gwinnett Medical Center.

Good job. One bright spot amongst the tragic deaths of Mr. Venable and son. Prayers for the family.

[hershey]

Here in MA, we're supposed to flee from the house, and God help us if we don't. If we shoot the burglar (or cause him any injury), we're in big trouble.

[Travis McGee]

Shoot em anyway. Better tried by 12 than carried by 6.

[kingu]

I completely agree. There's two big reasons why my daughter's room has a nice heavy solid core door on it with a step stop that is sunk into the foundation. One, it really helps to keep the noise down in the house.

The second is that is where the family meets. I won't even get into any hypothetical like a daughter who can outshoot me, and of course she doesn't own any guns - she's a kid, of course. None at all within easy reach.

I sometimes feel tempted to let some of the fellows from her school into the house, then I get a pang of guilt.

[WhiskeyPapa]

The unidentified suspect, who appeared to be in his early 20s, died at Gwinnett Medical Center.

-Some- good news, at least.

Walt