Dallas, Texas

From Dallas’ CBS11tv.com of August 31, 2006

Resident Shoots Intruder In Attempted Home Robbery

Police Search For Suspects In Separate Incidents

A would-be robber was critically wounded and an apartment resident died during two separate home robberies.

The first happened at an apartment complex in the 4500 block of Cedar Springs.

According to reports, three suspects forced their way inside a unit at the Tecali Apartments.

Officials said the resident jumped out of the window of his upstairs apartment and died at the scene.

His injuries were so severe police could not determine whether the man was shot or cut that badly from the broken glass.

The three suspects likely will face capital murder charges even if the fall killed the residents since the robbery was the reason he jumped, police said.

About two hours later and 20 minutes away in the 9400 block of Royal Lane, another man forced his way into an apartment.

This would-be robber was met with an armed tenant.

The alleged suspect was shot multiple times and transported to Baylor Hospital in extremely critical condition.

Texas law allows homeowners to use deadly force to protect themselves and their property. Officials would not confirm why this resident was taken away in handcuffs. No charges have been filed.

Could someone ‘splain how the victim who didn’t resist is better off?

Orlando, Florida

From the Orlando Sentinel of August 30, 2006

Eatery workers, suspects trade shots

A robbery suspect may have been wounded in a shootout with restaurant workers at an oyster bar late Sunday, according to Orlando police reports.

Employees and two suspects traded shots about 11:30 p.m. outside the back door of Froggers Grill and Bar Southwest on Conroy-Windermere Road, reports state.

Having been robbed a week earlier while taking out the trash, both kitchen workers told police they armed with themselves with .40-caliber and 9 mm pistols before doing the chore Sunday night, reports show.

The kitchen workers told police they stepped outside and were confronted by two men armed with a rifle and a pistol who ordered them to drop to their knees. Then one of the suspects fired a shot without striking either man, reports show.

The employees opened fire, and the suspects fled by jumping a fence.

Lyman, South Carolina

From August 30, 2006 WYFF channel 4:

LYMAN, S.C. -- A Lyman homeowner shot and killed two people he said were breaking into his house early Wednesday morning, investigators said.The shooting happened on Lawrence street at about 2:45 a.m.According to Spartanburg County Dispatchers, a man called to report that three people were trying to break into his home and that he had shot them.

At least one of the intruders was dead, the man said.When investigators arrived at the home, the man said that he had heard intruders and fired his shotgun when they opened his bedroom door.The coroner was called to the home at about 3 a.m. One of the people who was shot was found dead and the other was taken to Spartanburg Regional Hospital, where he died.Mike Shaw with Spartanburg County Coroner's office said that Marshall LeShawn Anderson, 28, and Travis Earl Anderson, 22, were killed.A third intruder was not shot and was arrested, investigators said.

Jackson, Mississippi

From the Jackson Clarion-Ledger of August 29, 2006

Jackson police probe shooting

Two men with bullet wounds found in south Jackson neighborhood

Two men with gunshot wounds were discovered in a pickup in a south Jackson neighborhood Monday afternoon shortly after two neighboring business owners reported shooting at armed, masked men who had attempted to enter one of the businesses.

The injured men were taken to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, one with a bullet wound to the neck and the other with a bullet wound to the arm.

Police Cmdr. Lee Vance said investigators were not ready to say whether the two crimes were connected. No charges had been filed Monday night.
…

Shortly after 3 p.m., workers at the Fairhill Drive address saw the men in front of the house, and police were called.

About 15 minutes earlier, an attempted robbery was reported at J Town Auto Sales, 1500 U.S. 80 West.

The owner reported firing at least two to three shots, Vance said.

The men then ran west down U.S. 80 and passed Standard Shift Transmission next door.

One of the men ran toward the owner, who also fired shots at them, Vance said.

An employee at the transmission shop who didn’t want to be identified said the business owner fired at one of the men after he pointed a gun at him.

J Town salesman Russell Seline said he saw his boss standing on the porch exchanging fire with the gunmen outside the business.

Surveillance cameras also captured the owner sitting at his desk when he apparently noticed something outside.

A woman sitting in front of his desk ducked down while he grabbed his gun, the video showed. When one of the gunmen opened the front door, the owner began firing.

“Instead of them shooting, they were getting shot at,” Seline said.

Bullet holes could be seen in the top of a silver Ford Probe, where Seline said the masked men took cover.

About 30 minutes before the attempted armed robbery, Seline said a man came in and paid $8,500 in cash for a Lincoln Navigator.

Seline said they couldn’t be certain that the two incidents were connected, but it is not often that someone comes in and pays cash for a vehicle.

Most purchases are made on credit and, if a cash purchase is made, it’s never for more than $2,500, he said.

Police did not release the names of the business owners.

Both went to the downtown police station Monday evening to be questioned further.

El Dorado, Kansas

From the El Dorado Times of August 28, 2006

Thomison found not guilty

A Butler County jury has returned a not guilty verdict in a case involving a shooting last year in El Dorado.

Bart M. Thomison, 21, had been charged with murder in the second degree or, in the alternative, involuntary manslaughter.

That was in connection with the shooting death of Joshua Freed, 19, at about 11 p.m. on the night of Aug. 18 of last year.

The shooting occurred as the result of a confrontration between Thomison and Freed in a driveway at a residence in the 1200 block of Douglas Road.

What follows is an extensive account of the background, the judge's instructions and statements by both attorneys. There is a strong implication that the jury accepted Thominson’s claim of self-defense, but no explicit statement to that effect appears here.

San Francisco, California

From the August 26, 2006 San Francisco Examiner:

A would-be armed attacker was shot dead Thursday after he entered an apartment in the Potrero Hill housing project, according to police.

Melvin Brown III, 28, was killed by an occupant of the apartment in the 1000 block of Connecticut Street, after he entered carrying an assault weapon. He was with a group, but the rest of the people ran off, and Brown entered the apartment alone, police spokeswoman Officer Maria Oropeza said Friday.

Several shots were fired after Brown entered the unit, Oropeza said. When the fray was over, two of the unit’s residents had been hit, as well as Brown, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Oropeza said police believe the attack was targeted.

Blanchard, Pennsylvania

From the Lock Haven Express of August 26, 2006

Burglar flees Blanchard house after being shot at

State police report an unknown person broke into the William D. Glossner residence, along Main Street, 7 p.m on Thursday, while Glossner was home.

The person fled the scene after Glossner shot at him, police said.

The unknown person is described as a teenage white male with a thin build.

Police said there is a possible reward for anyone assisting with an arrest.