Posted on 04/10/2009 11:31:56 AM PDT by Chet 99
A 23-year-old Brookings man was shot and killed after trying to enter a home that wasn't his. Multimedia
In a release sent to Action News, Brookings Police Captain Jeff Miller says Bradley Joe Odens was trying to get home late Thursday morning. At just before 2 a.m., he tried entering 129 Main Avenue, but there was a problem.
Odens lives at 143 Main Avenue.
Reportedly, the 28-year-old Brookings man inside the home tried telling Odens that he has the wrong house. But the man tells police that Odens didn't listen and continued to kick his way in.
In a 911 call, the man told police that he thought Odens was trying to break in and because he wouldn't stop, he shot him.
When officers got there, they found Odens fatally wounded inside the home. They dispatched medics to the scene, but it was too late and he was pronounced dead at the Brookings Hospital.
Police think Odens was confused as to his whereabouts. His house at 143 Main is just two houses down from the 28-year-old's and both are white. But whatever the reason, his school at South Dakota State University is mourning the loss of their student, classmate, and friend.
According to University officials, Odens was a senior and studying electronics engineering technology. His adviser and professor Byron Garry says he was planning on graduating in December. Just hours after his death, Garry got an e-mail, which informed him of the bad news.
"It was quite a stun, you know? Just had him in class yesterday; talking to him about his senior project group... with his group. So, it was quite a surprise to find that out this morning," said Garry.
Having taught at SDSU for around 20 years, Garry could think of just one lesson one could take away from this. He said, "Appreciate the people, your friends and family, when your with them."
Elsewhere on campus, there was chatter about the death. Few wanted to go on the record, but all expressed feelings of grief. The University has been quick to help any students coping with the loss.
"Students have been given a hotline number for the Counseling Services Center and it will be staffed through the weekend for those that feel the need to talk to someone," said Bob Otterson, who serves as executive assistant to the president of the University.
It seems that many students are coping in other ways, including online. A Facebook group has been set up to remember Odens. On the site, someone wrote, "He will be missed, but not forgotten for his kindness, humor, and love of life."
They don't need justification. That said, its a much clearer argument against drunkeness.
I simply don't accept your premise that people in college towns just expect to have their front doors kicked in at 2am and thus should lighten up. This young man is the victim of his own bad decisions, not of the home owner.
I'm also reminded of the child rapist in Oakland who is also described my neighbors and friends as a really nice guy.
I live an hour from Brookings. Local reporting has stated that the homeowner repeatedly warned him that he had a gun and not to continue to try to break in. When Odens broke the window on the top half of the door, the homeowner fired.
Times sure have changed. We just learned not to repeat stupid sh*t.
The problem is you are thinking sober and normally. Drunks aren't known for their reasoning abilities.
I also went to school in Brookings, and lived there for 6 years. There is no violent crime to speak of. 25,000 people live there, half are students, all of them get hammered on a regular basis. I'd be inclined to at the very least wait til I see a real threat, especially 30 minutes after closing time 5 blocks from where virtually all the college bars are. I don't necessarily blame the shooter, he was well within his rights, but...
If you want restraint, don’t come down to Texas and start kicking in doors.
*Having taught at SDSU for around 20 years, Garry could think of just one lesson one could take away from this. He said, “Appreciate the people, your friends and family, when your with them.” *
Also, pay attention in English class.
*You live in a college town presumably with drunk kids wandering. Something tells me that this guy should have had a little more restraint.*
Even drunk people can kick your door down and KILL you or your room-mates, family, etc. What are you supposed to do, wait until they are done kicking in your door and through the threshold?
Yea I see your point. I just think it is a tragedy.
I think that I'd likely have done the same. Incoherent drunken male starts kicking my door in at 2:30, even after repeated warnings......college town or no, closing time or no, I think that this guy acted properly.
No mention of family in the article. If the shooter had a wife and kids to be concerned about, no doubt in my mind he was in the right.
Several years ago, when I bought my first house in Sioux Falls, a week after taking ownership, someone tried to come in around 3AM. I got up, and headed downstairs towing a 12 gauge, and told the person on the other side of the door, who was fumbling with keys, that they were about 10 seconds away from being blown away. He left pretty quickly. Came to find out the next day that it was the neighbor’s kid, drunk, home from college, and at the wrong house. Of course, as small as SF is, it’s a LOT different than Brookings. I don’t think I ever locked my door in Brookings.
“Students have been given a hotline number for the Counseling Services Center”
Interesting...there always seems to be an army of “Mental Health” professionals ready to serve at a moment’s notice.
Considering today’s economic environment, especially for ‘soft’ professionals, I would DEFINITELY keep my kid from ever dealing with one of them.
Add another to the list of “how did we survive?” ;)
If he can kick open a door, he's dangerous enough to kill.
So who did he think the person inside yelling at him was? What a shame.
in his drunken mind, he probably thought the man inside was a burglar.
Well stated.
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