Jackson, Mississippi

From the Jackson Clarion-Ledger of January 27, 2007

Jackson hairdresser fires shots at thieves

Men seen on security monitor trying to steal customer's vehicle

A west Jackson hairdresser foiled an auto theft outside his business Friday morning with a .357 Magnum.

Al Bell, 44, owner of Al's Style House at 5025 U.S. 80W, was tending to his first customer of the day, chatting with her and drinking coffee, when he looked at one of his security monitors and saw a pickup pulling up next to her sport utility vehicle. He saw two men get out, and one quickly wedge the driver's side door open and climb inside.

"She was shocked, and I was too," he said. "We really just couldn't believe what was going on."

This is what Bell said happened next: As his client called 911, he pulled the large handgun from a drawer, strode outside, raised his gun and yelled, "Freeze!"

They bolted for the green, late model, four-door Ford pickup.

Bell fired, blowing out the front driver's side tire of the Ford.

The men were still scrambling for the truck.

Again, Bell yelled "Freeze!" They did not stop.

He fired again, flattening the rear driver's side tire of the truck.

By this time, the men were in the truck and driving off - on two flat tires.

Bell fired a third time, blowing a hole in the rear driver's side door.

The truck roared off, east on U.S. 80 toward Metrocenter.

Jackson police officers took a report on the attempted vehicle theft.

"The castle law gives you the right to protect yourself and your property," said JPD Cmdr. Lee Vance, who is in charge of the precinct where the incident took place. "We didn't charge him."

The Castle Doctrine, which became law July 1, expands property owners' self-defense rights by protecting people who use deadly force against an intruder or carjacker if they believe they are in imminent danger.

While it is not known if any of Bell's rounds hit the men, Vance said there have been no reports of wounded patients at area hospitals.

That suits Bell fine.

"I ain't trying to get no blood on my hands," he said. "I didn't want to hurt nobody. I had a chance to kill them, but I just was trying to protect my property and my client."

He hopes the would-be SUV thieves do not return.

"I hope they catch them," he said. "I just hope they don't bother us anymore."