Line-cutting fight prompted fatal Rite Aid shooting(VA)

hamptonroads.com ^ | 18 August, 2012 | Patrick Wilson

[marktwain]

It would be nice if there is video.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Colorado sounds like a real jerk who liked to power trip under color of authority. There’s no info on Benn’s past. However, it seems like Colorado pepper-sprayed him for little or no reason; it seems very believable that he was the aggressor.

[PowderMonkey]

Not unduly burdened by the gift of intelligence, Mr. Benn holds forth in a jailhouse interview sans benefit of counsel. Whatta' dumbass!

[SandRat]

Watch the store security tapes Detectives,then tell Internal Affairs and the DA to go to HADES.

[Michael.SF.]

The article gives this snippet regarding Benn:"Benn has a concealed handgun permit and has no criminal convictions, according to a 2009 renewal of his permit."

Obviously more info is needed, but right now I am leaning towards believing Benn.

[Carriage Hill]

There’s a jail interview at the link w/ Benn. And other videos on Colorado’s Face-Butt page.

I don’t understand how Benn was shot in the back if, as cops claim, he was approaching Colorado w/ drawn gun? No other witness interviews or accounts? Or do the cops prohibit that w/ TV crews until they get taped statements for heir case against Benn? Something ‘smells’.

[Hugin]

There’s no info on Benn’s past.

From the article, "Benn has a concealed handgun permit and has no criminal convictions, according to a 2009 renewal of his permit".

Also from the article...

Benn's statement is at odds with information released by police, who gave the following account: Benn accused Colorado of cutting in front of him and they began arguing just after 2 p.m. Colorado sprayed Benn with pepper spray. Benn then drew a handgun and approached Colorado, firing at him. Colorado drew a handgun, returned fire and collapsed.

Even if the police version is true, it still sounds like self defense to me.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Obviously more info is needed, but right now I am leaning towards believing Benn.

Me, too. I caught the sentence about Benn, but thought that the info it contained wasn't detailed enough to infer anything about his character one way or the other.

[driftdiver]

There probably WAS video since those areas are almost certainly covered by security cameras.

I’d wager the evidence gets lost if it shows this guys story is accurate.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Even if the police version is true, it still sounds like self defense to me.

The police version has Colorado initiating the argument by cutting in line and then pepper-spraying Benn. But, it also has Benn drawing first and advancing on Colorado, which would undermine the self defense argument. Benn says he drew after Colorado started to go for his gun.

No disrespect intended to the police, but they may be erring on the side of arrest because the initial info is that Colorado had some minor law enforcement association.

[Slump Tester]

The cop sounds like a real prick, but it won’t matter that a judge revoked his concealed weapon permit or why he was fired. He was an excop, so that guy is screwed.

[Gay State Conservative]

You’d expect there to be at least several cameras that would be focused on the pharmacy area.

[GeorgeWashingtonsGhost]

This sounds like cops blindly defending a cop. Union brotherhood trumps justice.

[Jeff Chandler]

If Benn drew first then he is guilty.

[Hugin]

But, it also has Benn drawing first and advancing on Colorado, which would undermine the self defense argument.

That's a matter of opinion. If he was blinded by pepper spray and in fear of further assault (and why wouldn't he be?), he may have advanced to make sure he hit Colorado, and not a bystander.

[Hoodat]

I bet that guy never cuts in line again.

[Hugin]

If you are attacked with pepper spray, you don’t have a right to draw your gun to defend yourself?

[TomGuy]

He was chatting on the phone

He was probably chatting on the phone and not paying attention to what was going on around him.

The use of cellphones should be banned inside stores, except in cases of emergencies requiring medical attention or police.

I have encountered numerous people on their phones, oblivious to what is going on, blocking aisles and shelves. GET OFF THE DAMN PHONE OR GO OUTSIDE!!!!!

[Carriage Hill]

Is pepperspray considered a ‘deadly weapon”? Just curious.

[Venturer]

If they were standing in line to be served, there has to be witnesses. Probably video as well. I am certain that the ex cop was an a-hole , one who was carrying pepper spray AND a firearm. Still: Being shot in the back makes for some confusion here.

Guess we will have to wait until the jury decides.