Sunrise, Florida

From the Miami Herald of April 5, 2006

Man shot in Sunrise neighbor dispute may have acted in self-defense

Police have identified the Sunrise man who they say shot his neighbor in the chest last night after a heated discussion.

Clifford Fortner, 41, of Sunrise, has been identified as the shooter, police said. Fortner has not been charged, and is cooperating with investigators, according to Lt. Robert Voss of the Sunrise Police Department.

Police are investigating the possibility that Fortner fired in self-defense.

Officers took the 47-year-old victim, Keith Gagnon of Sunrise, to Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, police said. Gagnon remains in the intensive care unit. There are also no charges against Fortner, Voss said.

The incident happened at NW 32nd Place and NW 109 Terrace, police said.

Voss said only a handgun was found at the crime scene last night.

Police continue to investigate the shooting, including whether Fortner was defending himself from Gagnon when he shot him.

Voss said he will examine the impact on this case of a self-defense law that went into effect last year. The law allows Floridians to use deadly force against an attacker, even if they could have fled, and requires prosecutors to presume that they acted in self-defense.