91 year old neighbor shoots home invader

Columbus Dispatch ^ | 03 April 2002

[Deadeye Division]

Man slain at ex-girlfriend's Clintonville house

Wednesday, April 3, 2002

Police said a 91-year-old man might have been coming to the aid of a female neighbor last night when he fatally shot a 29-year-old man at a Clintonville home.

Officers were called about 8:30 p.m. to 269 E. Lincoln Ave. When they arrived, they found the body of the younger man lying in the driveway.

He was the former boyfriend of the woman who lives at the house, police said. They did not further identify either man or the woman, who was being questioned.

The younger man allegedly came to the home, kicked in the back door and began beating the woman.

The woman's elderly neighbor, who was inside her house, then fired a gun at the man. After he was shot, the younger man stumbled out of the house and fell to the driveway.

Columbus Police Sgt. Eric Pilya said the shooting could be a case of self-defense.

Officers said that there was a history of police runs to the house for domestic problems and that the woman and the younger man had parted ways about a year ago.

The windshield of the woman's daughter's car, which was parked on the street near the house, was smashed Monday night. Police were checking whether that incident was related to the shooting.

[Deadeye Division]

According to 610 WTVN in Columbus, "Police say that James Ryan McVay forced his way into his girlfriend's home, assualted Virgina Devoe, and a neighbor 91 year old Shirley Becraft. While trying to take Devoe from the home Becraft pulled a gun and shot McVay. No charges have been filed but the case has been forwarded to the Franklin County Grand Jury."

[wideawake]

Hmmm . . . Shirley? Was that a guy's name in 1911?

Regardless of Shirley's sex, that was some good shootin'!!!

[TomServo]

bang.

[Illbay]

Columbus, where? (I hate it when people don't identify the location--"Columbus Dispatch" means nothing to me. Columbus OHIO? Columbus GA? Some other I haven't heard of? Which?)

The follow-up report seems to indicate it was a 91 year old woman (SHIRLEY Becraft). But the Dispatch report says it was a man. Which is it? Or is it a MAN named SHIRLEY?

Too confusing a report. Try again.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for posting this.

Gray panther example of excellent gun control!

Good shooting, and scoop up the trash and bury it some where.

[Risky Schemer]

but the case has been forwarded to the Franklin County Grand Jury

Why?

[smith288]

Dont insult us! Columbus is the 15th largest city in the US....when you hear Columbus, assume Ohio!

DO you get this mixed up about Springfield, Illinois?

[smith288]

And it WAS a man....per WBNS 10tv

[ConservativeNJdad]

Did you ever see that movie with Chevy Chase? (Fletch?)

Some nameless character: "Surely, you're not serious."

Chevy Chase character: "Yes, I'm serious. And my name is not Shirley."

Classic.

[smith288]

I believe that was Leslie Nielson in "Airplane"

[Howlin' Hooligan]

It was in both movies.

[Hildy]

Maury Povitch's father's name was Shirley. He was a very famous, well-respected Sports Writer.

[Terriergal]

Good for that old guy! BUMP

[in the Arena]

DO you get this mixed up about Springfield, Illinois?

Is that close to Shelbyville ?

[E Rocc]

but the case has been forwarded to the Franklin County Grand Jury

Why?

Look at the name of the town. A duplicitous government can pretty much be taken for granted.

-Eric

[Terriergal]

DO you get this mixed up about Springfield, Illinois?

There's a Springfield in Illinois, too?

[smith288]

Interesting...was it as funny as Leslie saying it?

[Gritty]

The windshield of the woman's daughter's car, which was parked on the street near the house, was smashed Monday night. Police were checking whether that incident was related to the shooting.

What possible relation could this have to do with the shooting? It might have something to do with the dead man, but why on earth would it have to do with what transpired on a different night?

Probably just sloppy reporting. But, we are used to that when it comes to 2nd Amendment issues, aren't we?

[kAcknor]

According to 610 WTVN in Columbus

kAcknor Sez:

They also started the report with how "An attempted break-in ended in tragedy". Didn't sound like much of a tragedy to me. I'd say more along the lines of "The good guys win one".

"tIqIpqu' 'ej nom tIqIp" (Hit them hard and hit them fast.)

Basic HTML help for new FR posters. <Ver 1.4>

[mamelukesabre]

Who's gun was it? THe old guy was in her house and shot the bad guy there. Are you telling me this 90+ year old man was packin?? Or did the gun belong to the girl? If the old guy was packin, that's amazing.

[Shooter 2.5]

I had the same problem with these reports in trying to find out which state the city is in. I solved the problem by looking over to the right side of the heading and looking under TOPICS. The location is listed next to U.S..

I hope this helps. I'm still trying to figure out where the Simpsons live.

[rintense]

Go granny go!

[SuperLuminal]

Good news bttt.

[crystalk]

The largest Springfield city in the USA is in Massachusetts, and many people are unaware that Columbus is in Ohio, or is its capital, blame poor public education.

Nevertheless, Columbus GA is about half as large as the Ohio one, and more of us live close to it, or IN it, every day, and there is bound to be at least SOME confusion...

"Goodbye, Columbus."

[Drammach]

Also a Springfield, MO.

[fourdeuce82d]

"Columbus GA"

isn't the Ft. Benning School for wayward youth next door?

seems to me that was where we went on our first pass...

[Khepera]

I always think of Colombus Indiana first because I live in Indiana. Columbus Ohio? I have to agree that articles need to include the state.

[clamboat]

The windshield of the woman's daughter's car, which was parked on the street near the house, was smashed Monday night. Police were checking whether that incident was related to the shooting.

What possible relation could this have to do with the shooting? It might have something to do with the dead man, but why on earth would it have to do with what transpired on a different night?

uh, Hello, don't become a detective - you can't see the forest for the trees.

The relatinship is that the young former-boyfriend came by Monday night and smashed the daughters windshield as a way to get back at the mother for dumping his sorry ass. It shows a prior tendency toward violence and serves to further justify the shooting of the perp. That's why it is part of the investigation.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Good for Shirley!

[bandleader]

91-years old and he nailed the guy!Good Shootin' Shirley!!!

[smith288]

DId you look at the topics on the top right above the posted article?

[hattend]

Springfield, Missouri too

[crystalk]

Personally, I always think of Columbus NC because that is home...but it is (as I understand it) the SMALLEST city of that name in the USA, but IS a county seat. Lovely spot.

[Khepera]

Yes they where very helpful.

[smith288]

Perhaps you are right, however the topic listing shows ohio, the link source takes you to the dispatch website that is laden with Ohio references. I get all touchy because i have lived here my entire life and have had to educate over and over about it. Escalators.... invented here, Shopping malls.... invented here, was home of the black thomas edison, Granville Woods.... among other things COlumbus has done. But i guess ill just keep on keepin on.

[BlackbirdSST]

isn't the Ft. Benning School for wayward youth next door? Airborne! Blackbird.

[Jimmy Valentine]

That's what I call ballin' the jack!

AND don't call me Shirley! LOL

Regards,

[Semper911]

God bless the old coot. Let's have "Buy your grandparents a firearm week"!

Maybe Sarah Brady can offer suggestions about how to buy a gun for someone else without getting snared in red tape.

[Oztrich Boy]

It may have been related to the break-in, in that there might have been a common prepetrator and motivation, but it was not related to the shooting.

As Gritty said
Probably just sloppy reporting. But, we are used to that when it comes to 2nd Amendment issues, aren't we?

Probably because the media looks at this as a "shooting incident" and part of the "gun problem" and not a "home invasion" and part of the "crime problem".

[southern rock]

Go granny go!

Shirley is a man, but it's still pretty cool!

[southern rock]

Hmmm . . . Shirley? Was that a guy's name in 1911? Regardless of Shirley's sex, that was some good shootin'!!!

One has to wonder if being named Shirley for the past 91 years has made him a bit....umm.....trigger happy :) If so, lucky for the girl he saved. Very cool story. Srirley rocks!!!

[southern rock]

AND don't call me Shirley! LOL

Hey, maybe that's the REAL reason he shot the guy. He called him Shirley. LOL!!!

[Mr. Lucky]

That may explain how he's lived to be 91.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Its near Wheeling.

[buccaneer81]

There is only one Columbus. It's in OHIO. It's the 14th largest city in the United States. The largest city in Ohio.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Man slain at ex-girlfriend's Clintonville house

Just another day in Clintonville.

[crystalk]

Yeah, but it is still tied with Jacksonville (which is TWICE Columbus' size) for the BIGGEST CITY YOU NEVER HEARD OF (in USA)!

[Lancey Howard]

Hmmm . . . Shirley? Was that a guy's name in 1911?

Yes. Not uncommon back then.