Posted on 06/01/2013 6:04:07 AM PDT by Innovative
A military veteran is facing criminal charges after firing a warning shot at a suspect trying to break into his house.
"There was nothing that the suspect was doing that was aggressive enough to justify the shooting," Lt. Mike Budreau told KDRV. "In fact, the suspect was walking away."
Thompson explains he was not shooting directly at the suspect, just at the ground.
Thompson has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon and menacing and reckless endangering and had his rifle confiscated.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattle.cbslocal.com ...
You might get away with saying you missed, but this guy has been all over the place trying to play on the fact that he "didn't want to hurt anyone". He was on the radio yesterday babbling about warning shots.
He should have just said he missed the SOB, but that would be hard to do with a nice big hole in the ground.
My advice is that if you have warning shots in your plan you need to re-think your plan!
Where did you ever get that idea? The police are there to protect the government from the citizens and to ensure that the government's tyrannical laws are enforced.
"To oppress and extort."
Warning shot? In an apt. complex?
Sounds like poor judgment. Besides, there is no need for a warning shot. If dumb guy number one is trying to pass through a barrier setup to keep him out (door/window), and dumb guy number two screams out....stop!! If dumb guy number one continues into dumb guy number two's apartment, then place the well needed round into the lump of dumb guy number ones flesh. Then, dumb guy number two would magically not be a dumb guy at all, but a hero.
Agree and don't shoot them when they're TRYING to break in. Wait until they're in.
Then he’s discharging a firearm without lawful cause. Scaring someone is not a lawful cause. There is risk of ricochet, flying debris, hearing damage, and other risk to others. Firing at close range to bystanders is irresponsible. Lots of people are dead from warning shots.
Never mind wasting a round when he might very well need it.
Thank you for your post - very informative.
I was listening to Fox & Friends this a.m. and the Vet was on and repeated basically what you said.
My parents used to live in Seattle next to a retired Major from the Seattle Police Department. Not sure if the rules/law has changed, but he told them if someone is trying to break in and you shoot him on the porch, drag him inside then call the police.
They were out of town 1 winter and I went to their house to cover the faucets so the pipes wouldn’t freeze during a very cold spell. I think we scared each other (he certainly scared me!) as he came running over with his pistol in hand (he was expecting a burglar). My parents were fortunate to have such a knowledgeable and protective neighbor!
He didn’t shoot anyone when they tried to break in. The only shot he fired was into the ground, after telling the guy, stop trying to break in, I’m going to fire a warning shot. When he fired into the ground the guy ran away. Then the police came, took the criminal’s side (outstanding warrants on the guy for burglary and other crimes) and unleashed holy **** on the veteran.
As you know, nobody was shot. The warning shot was fired into the ground. So that advice you heard and repeated as an example of needing to show they were inside when you shot them, isn’t directly pointed at this situation.
BTW, anybody remember Joe Biden telling women at home alone to come to the their door with a shotgun if someone threatening is outside, and shoot into the air?
Said he told his wife to do that? Just buy a shotgun and shoot into the air, and I promise you that’s all you’ll need to protect yourself.
This guy shot into the ground. The would-be intruder ran away. The police, who saw nothing, took the side of the criminal.
He shot once into the ground. After telling the perp to stop trying to break in, and warning him that he was going to fire a warning shot and to get away from there. When he shot into the ground the guy ran. From there the police showed up and repeated words to the media that the criminal(outstanding warrants for burglary and other crimes) told them and turned the military vet into a criminal, ignoring his statements and evidence on the scene. I got my info from this veteran’s interview by Hannity, not from this CBS Seattle story,
And add to that: KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!! The third "S." Anything beyond "I feared for my life" is counterproductive. The police DO NOT have your back, not in a blue state.
“Its Washington state, so what do you expect? Kalifornia liberals have moved there and taken over much like Oregon, Idaho and Colorado.”
Kalifornia Lib’s have taken over... Idaho? Geez, that was to be my last place of refuge should my beloved texas go Blue! Man, gotta re-think this whole thing...
Advice from "Shotgun Joe" Biden aside, firing a warning shot is never a good idea.
Next thing we will read of is the “victim” will sue the home owner for the “mental anguish” of being shot at.
Secondly, if the resident was standing outside his apartment, then there surfaces another issue. Firing a round into the ground tells me he was not in imminent danger of loss of life or property.
If the fella would have discharged the weapon from inside his unit in the direction of the bonehead crossing the barrier (door/widow) he'd likely not be in trouble right now.
Very similar to George Zimmerman. Not that he was in the wrong so much, he just put himself in a bad spot. If he'd kept his distance, the THUG would not have been able to engage him. Juss a thought.
I suspect what happened, though the reporter didn’t say it as such, was:
1) Burglar tried to break into home.
2) Homeowner warned burglar.
3) Burglar took off running after being warned.
4) Homeowner *exited* home with rifle.
5) Homeowner fired round into ground.
6) Police hear gunshot.
7) Still armed, homeowner runs out to parking lot.
8) Police see running burglar and armed homeowner, tell homeowner to drop rifle.
9) Police arrest burglar and arrest homeowner “for shooting at burglar running away.”
10) Homeowner says he fired into ground as a warning shot.
11) Homeowner has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon and menacing and reckless endangering.
(Oregon statute) § 166.220
Unlawful use of weapon
http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/166.220
(1) A person commits the crime of unlawful use of a weapon if the person:
(a) Attempts to use unlawfully against another, or carries or possesses with intent to use unlawfully against another, any dangerous or deadly weapon as defined in ORS 161.015 (General definitions); or
(b) Intentionally discharges a firearm, blowgun, bow and arrow, crossbow or explosive device within the city limits of any city or within residential areas within urban growth boundaries at or in the direction of any person, building, structure or vehicle within the range of the weapon without having legal authority for such discharge.
(2) This section does not apply to:
(b) Persons lawfully defending life or property as provided in ORS 161.219 (Limitations on use of deadly physical force in defense of a person).
http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/161.219
§ 163.190
Menacing
(1) A person commits the crime of menacing if by word or conduct the person intentionally attempts to place another person in fear of imminent serious physical injury.
http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/163.190
§ 163.195
Recklessly endangering another person
(1) A person commits the crime of recklessly endangering another person if the person recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person.
http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/163.195
In Texas, after sundown, that's not required.
/johnny
These cops need to talk to Joe Biden about this.
“He should have just said he missed the SOB, but that would be hard to do with a nice big hole in the ground.”
“I tried to kill him officer, but I stubbed my big toe, and tripped.”
“The perp was wanted to face justice for doing the very thing he was doing this time, and still he was treated like a perfectly normal citizen and the vet was treated like a criminal.”
You forgot - “The cops wanted to confiscate the AR-15 due to high costs of AR-15 type guns.”
I fixed your minor omission.
;-)
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