Diboli, Texas: Son Kills Father in Self-Defense

Diboli, Texas

From the December 10, 2007 Lufkin [Texas] Daily News:

A Diboll man shot and killed his father early Saturday morning in what authorities say appears to be a case of self-defense, according to an Angelina County Sheriff's Office spokesman Monday.

Tad Wheeler Sr., 45, died after being shot multiple times during a dispute at a residence off Camp Road, said Lt. Pete Cooper, in a press release statement.

Wheeler's 22-year-old son, Tad Wheeler Jr., and a woman at the residence who witnessed the altercation were questioned by investigators after the shooting. A preliminary investigation has shown Tad Wheeler Jr. shot his father with a .22-caliber pistol in apparent self defense, Cooper said.

Details about the altercation are not being released as of yet, the sheriff's department spokesman said. Autopsy results are expected to be released this week.

The case is expected to be reviewed by the Angelina County District Attorney's Office and presented to a grand jury to determine whether any charges will be filed.

Colorado police look for links in church killings

Denver, Colorado

From December 10, 2007 ABC news channel 7:

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Jeanne Assam appeared before the news media for the first time Monday and said she "did not think for a minute to run away" when a gunman entered the New Life Church in Colorado Springs and started shooting.There was applause as Assam spoke to a small crowd saying, "God guided me and protected me."

New Life's Senior Pastor Brady Boyd called Assam "a real hero" because the gunman, Matthew Murray, "had enough ammunition on him to cause a lot of damage."When asked by a reporter if she felt like a hero, Assam said, "I wasn't just going to wait for him to do further damage.""I give credit to God," she said.

Assam described how Murray, entered the east entrance of the church firing his rifle.Click to read more about the shootings in Colorado Springs and Arvada.

"There was chaos," Assam said. "I will never forget the gunshots. They were so loud."

"I saw him coming through the doors" and took cover, Assam said. "I came out of cover and identified myself and engaged him and took him down."

"God was with me," Assam said. "I didn't think for a minute to run away."

Assam said she believes God gave her the strength to confront Murray, keeping her calm and focused even though he appeared to be twice her size and was more heavily armed.

Murray was carrying two handguns, an assault rifle and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, said Sgt. Jeff Johnson of the Colorado Springs Police Department."It seemed like it was me, the gunman and God," she said.

Assam worked as a police officer in downtown Minneapolis during the 1990s and is licensed to carry a weapon. She attends one of the morning services and then volunteers as a guard during another service.

Boyd said Assam was the one who suggested the church beef up its security Sunday following the Arvada shooting, which it did. The pastor credited the security plan and the extra security for preventing further bloodshed.

Boyd said there are 15 to 20 security people at the church. All are volunteers but the only ones armed are those who are licensed to carry weapons.

Ravenna, Kentucky

From the Lexington Herald-Leader of December 10, 2007

Stepfather Killed in Domestic Dispute

State police say a woman fatally shot her stepfather during a domestic dispute between the stepfather and her mother. Tina Rogers, 33, retrieved a handgun from inside the house on Fitchburg Road in Estill County and told her stepfather, Eugene Wallace Tipton Jr., to stop hurting her mother, Silvanie Tipton, and allow them to leave, Rogers told state police. She said Eugene Tipton refused to let them leave, threatened to kill her and advanced toward her when she fired multiple shots. Police were called at 2:16 a.m. Saturday. Eugene Tipton was pronounced dead at the scene. No charges had been filed as of last night.

Orlando, Florida

From Local6 of December 10, 2007

Police: Victim Shoots, Kills Home Invader

A man in Orange County grabbed a shotgun and shot and killed one of three home invaders inside his apartment late Sunday, according to police.

Investigators said three men burst into a home at the Pine Harbor apartments located near state Road 408 and Rouse Road just after 11:30 p.m. Monday.

During the incident, the homeowner fired a shotgun at the men, causing the three men to flee, police said.

A man believed to be involved in the incident later arrived at a hospital and died from a gunshot injury, according to investigators.

Authorities said it did not appear the victim would face criminal charges for the shooting, Local 6 reported.

"Based on the preliminary investigation at this time in reference to trying to break into somebody's house, probably (no charges) but that is all subject to change depending on where the investigation takes us," Orange County sheriff's Cmdr. Rick Luckey said.

Police are trying to determine if the alleged break-in was a random attack.

Two persons of interest were also taken into custody early Monday was it was not determined if they were involved in the incident.

Houston County, Alabama

From the December 9, 2007 Dothan [Alabama] Eagle:

A burglary suspect was shot and killed Saturday night during an attempted home invasion just outside Cowarts, and a second suspect is in custody.

Houston County Sheriff Andy Hughes said the homeowner dialed 911 at 7:41 p.m. reporting two men had broken into his house, located just east of the intersection of Forrester Road and U.S. 84 East, across the road from Ace Hardware.

The homeowner has been identified as Pete T. Webb.

“The homeowner was inside the residence,” said Houston County Sheriff Andy Hughes. “Two black males burglarized the residence and he confronted both of them. The homeowner had a handgun and he ordered both men to the floor.”

Hughes said one of the suspects got up from the floor and charged the homeowner.

“One shot was fired by the homeowner,” Hughes said.

The suspects then ran from the house. One was captured by authorities and the other was found lying about 100 yards from the house. He died at the scene in a lot where Grandview Baptist Church is being constructed.

At 10:30 p.m., Houston County Coroner Robert Byrd said he has not been notified by authorities.

Just before press time, authorities were having trouble identifying the deceased and the suspect in custody. Deputies said the two might be related or could be brothers.

“We have not IDed them,” said Captain Antonio Gonzales. “We are getting false information from people.”

A woman identified as the victim’s mother, Louise Bostick, was brought to the scene but was unable to approach the victim, Gonzales said. “She was on the scene but was too distraught. She wouldn’t view the body,” he said.

Hialeah Gardens, Florida

From CBS4 of December 8, 2007

Man Turns On Would-Be Robbers, Kills One

Four robbers get more than they bargain for when they target an elderly Hialeah Gardens man. Police said he shot and killed one of them while he was being attacked.

Police said 74-year-old, Jorge Leonton was not aware he was being followed from the bank to his home along Northwest 91st Avenue and 119th Street.

"I feel horrible, my body is still shaking," said Margarita Leonton, who is still shaken up on Saturday, after police said 4 armed men attacked her husband. "I never thought that this could happen especially at 10:30 in the morning."

Jorge Leonton was questioned by police after they said he drove to a nearby bank, withdrew cash, and began driving back home. On Saturday night he is back at home with his wife.

Little did he know, four men were following from behind, when he arrived home, and got out of his car police said one of the thugs put him in a chokehold position and demanded money he had just withdrawn from the ATM.

"He came to me with such great force, he was so violent and started to choke me," said Jorge Leonton. He said he told the robber to let go, Leonton has a conceal weapon permit.

"I took out my gun and told him, let me go or I'm going to shoot you, because I have a heart condition," said Leonton. "I can't breath, you can't grab me by the neck, because I'll die, I told him that 3 times."

The alleged robber refused to let go and Leonton shot him in a torso. "My vision became blurry and that's when I shot him," said Leonton.

The other three crooks drove away. Jorge told CBS4's Shomari Stone he didn't want to shoot him, but he had to because his life was in jeopardy. "It's bad I didn't want to shoot a human being, he is a human being regardless."

Paramedics lifted the wounded suspect to Ryder Trauma Center where he later died.

Margarita said her husband's gun saved his life. "If he wouldn't been armed, I think he would have been killed," she said.

They are searching for the other 3 suspects who got away.

DeKalb County, Georgia

From December 7, 2007 WSB channel 2:

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- A father protecting his family during a hold up shot and killed a robber late Thursday night.The family of four had just returned home from a school recital. After parking in their driveway the family was walking up the front walk at their house on Stardust Circle when three robbers stopped them.During the confrontation the father pulled out a gun and opened fire, killing one of the robbers. The other men ran off."It was a home invasion, but this time the invasion was on the other foot," said one neighbor.The neighbor says the wounded man died in the family's yard and the other two men fled on foot.That same neighbor told police that she heard her dog attack one of the robbers as he ran through her backyard.

Also covered at December 7, 2007 channel 11.

More details at the December 7, 2007 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer:

DECATUR, Ga. -- DeKalb County police continued Friday to look for two suspects after a man shot and killed a third attacker who tried to rob his family as they returned home from a school event.

DeKalb Police spokesman Jonathon Ware said Ronald Johnson, 36, and his family were returning to their home in south DeKalb County and getting out of their vehicle when the suspects, armed with a handgun and a shotgun, attempted to rob them shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday.

Johnson pulled his own gun and killed one of the suspects, Ware said, and the other two men fled on foot.

Ware said Friday that police had not yet identified the dead man.

He said the shooting "has been deemed justified," and no charges will be filed against Johnson.

Neither Johnson, nor his family - whom Ware identified as Lekeysha Mattox, 34, and two girls ages 16 and 4 - were injured in the attack.