Accident, Maryland

From the Cumberland Times-News of December 5, 2006

Fatal domestic incident act of self-defense

Police said that the fatal shooting of an Indiana County, Pa., man early Sunday in Accident apparently was the result of self-defense.

Lt. J.D. Murphy of the Garrett Bureau of Investigation said that 29-year-old David Wayne Lancaster of Saltsburg died at Garrett Memorial Hospital in Oakland after he was shot three times with a .22-caliber handgun fired by Norris Rush, 52.

The shooting occurred at 4:31 a.m. in the kitchen of the Rush residence on Friendsville Road after Lancaster grabbed a butcher knife and inflicted a deep wound to Rush’s hand. Rush then discharged the handgun at close range, striking the victim in the stomach and chest.

Rush reportedly declined medical treatment at the scene.

Police said Billie Jo Zimmerman was also present at the time of the shooting and that all three people appeared to be “extremely intoxicated.” Lancaster, Rush and Zimmerman were said to be friends.

Zimmerman was not injured.

Police said there was no record of prior domestic complaints at the Rush residence.

Maryland State Police responded to the scene and following preliminary investigation, the case was forwarded to GBI.

The incident remains under investigation.

From the Oakland Republican of December 14, 2006

Domestic Related Shooting Still Under Investigation By Police

The recent shooting death of David Wayne Lancaster, 29, Saltsburg, Pa., is still under investigation, and has not been ruled self-defense as previously reported.

Police responded to a residence on Accident Friendsville Road Dec. 3 for a domestic-related shooting. Further investigation revealed that Lancaster had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body. He was transported by Northern Rescue Squad to Garrett County Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:31 a.m. His body was transported to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Baltimore for an autopsy.

According to police, witnesses have been interviewed, and the investigation is continuing.

"I am satisfied this investigation is being handled by trained, experienced police officers," said Lisa Thayer Welch, state's attorney for Garrett County. "When all evidence has been collected and reviewed, appropriate action will be taken. The analysis of forensic evidence can take weeks so it is premature for any conclusions to be made."

From Baltimore’s WJZ.com of October 12, 2007

Man Charged With Murder In Garrett Shooting

Authorities in Garrett County have made an arrest in a fatal shooting they initially considered to be a case of self-defense.

The sheriff's office says 51-year-old Norris Rush of Accident is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting at his home last December that killed 29-year-old David Lancaster.

Rush was arrested Thursday after State's Attorney Lisa Thayer Welch reviewed evidence and filed criminal charges. Bond was set at $50,000.

Police reports soon after the shooting said Rush shot Lancaster with a handgun after Lancaster stabbed Rush's hand with a butcher knife.

Windham, Maine

From Westbrook’s KeepMeCurrent.com of December 4, 2006

Windham Quiznos employee defends himself from would-be robber

The Windham police are investigating an attempted armed robbery that occurred at Quiznos Sandwich Shop in North Windham this weekend.

According to police, a black male about 6 feet tall with a thin build approached the assistant manager as he exited the building at about 9:20 p.m. on Sunday. After a brief scuffle, in which the man attempted to steal a bag containing a night deposit from the employee, the suspect fled the scene. The Quiznos employee was not hurt during the altercation.

During the scuffle, police said the suspect pulled a knife on the employee. The Quiznos employee, acting in self-defense, then pulled a handgun, after which the suspect fled the scene.

Greene County, Tennessee

From Bristol’s TriCities.com of December 2, 2006

Fatal shooting in Greene County

Greene County investigators are working another fatal shooting tonight, the second in two days. The Greene County coroner tells News Channel 11 that Jeffery Underwood was shot to death early Saturday morning at a home on Fox Ford Road.

Investigators say a man shot Underwood in self defense after Underwood dragged his stepfather with a truck. Some neighbors say they knew something was wrong.

"My husband thought he heard two gun shots.We heard some one screaming yelling," Alice Lowe said." After a while we saw emergency equipment was coming we really have no idea what happened.It just gave us a sick feeling down inside."

The stepfather was flown to a local hospital and is in stable condition. No charges will be filed in the incident.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

From Pittsburgh’s WPXI.com of December 4, 2006

Pittsburgh Homeowner Opens Fire On Intruders

Police: Body Found In Nearby Cemetery

A homeowner opened fire after intruders entered his home on Monday, police said.

The incident unfolded around 10:30 a.m. in the 300 block of Comrie Avenue in Braddock.

The man and his 1-year-old baby were home at the time of the invasion.

Police said several people kicked in the front windows of the home.

According to officials, the homeowner then shot one person with a high caliber weapon, injuring that person severely.

The intruder fled in a vehicle.

Police are now searching for the intruders.

Around 12 p.m., an officer on patrol in the Sunsetview Cemetery in Penn Hills found the body of a man in his 20s or 30s.

Officials believe he may have been shot.

County homicide detectives are at the scene.

Police are investigating to see if the two incidents are related.

Howard County, Arkansas

From Shreveport’s KTBS.com of December 4, 2006

Man Shot Dead at Estranged Wife's Home

Howard County officials are awaiting autopsy results on a man who died from a gunshot wound to the head at his estranged wife's house. Around 7:30 p.m. Sunday, deputies got a call from 52-year-old Charles "Danny" Sullivan's wife.

The two were in the process of a divorce and the woman told deputies Sullivan had shown up at her house with a gun. Officers got to her home, just in time to hear a gunshot. They saw Sullivan in the backyard with the gun, before he ran out of their line of sight. Then, deputies heard one more shot.

Sullivan was found with a gunshot wound to the head.

Dallas, Texas

From the Dallas Morning News of December 4, 2006

Customer shoots robbery suspect

Dallas police were seeking a customer at a retail store who shot a robbery suspect and fled before police arrived.

Police said Jonathan Coleman, 19, was carrying a shotgun when he entered Fashion Avenue in the 2800 block of North Buckner Boulevard on Saturday night. He ordered an employee and customer to the ground, authorities said. Police said the customer shot Mr. Coleman and left the store.

Mr. Coleman was treated at an area hospital and released before being arrested and charged with aggravated robbery.

From the NBC5i.com of December 5, 2006

Police Seek Customer Who Stopped Robbery In Progress

Dallas police want to find a customer of an East Dallas clothing store who is being called a hero for stopping a robbery in progress.

The customer shot a shotgun-wielding robber who stormed the Fashion Avenue clothing store on Saturday, police said.

The robber screamed for everyone to get on the floor before firing two shots at an employee running for a back room, police said.

The customer shot Jonathan Coleman, 19, in the leg, and fled.

Police took Coleman into custody and charged him with aggravated robbery.

Jose Martinez heard gunfire from the store's parking lot.

“I just heard the shots go off twice -- two fired shots from a shotgun -- and I jumped, too, when I heard all that,” Martinez said.

Police said they want to talk to the armed mystery shopper in order to get more information to use in court.

San Antonio, Texas

From the MySA.com of December 4, 2006

Robbery attempt nets suspect a wound in the leg

A suspect had the tables turned on him this morning, as was shot by the man he was attempting to rob at a convenience store.

Police say around 1 a.m. Monday, the 31-year-old suspect pulled an knife and demanded money from a customer at a Valero Cornerstore in the 5400 block of Babcock Road.

Authorities say the customer warned the suspect that he had a gun. The robber lunged and the customer pulled his gun and shot the suspect in the leg.

The suspect was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injures.

Police say the man with the gun is ex-military and had a permit. No charges will be filed against him.