California: A man shoots a suspected thief three times and is released by police

Tracy, California

From the Tracy Press of January 5, 2008

A man shoots a suspected thief three times and is released by police

A homeowner shot and wounded a man who he said was trying to steal a motorcycle from the back of his pickup early Friday morning on the 100 block of Victoria Court.

Police barricaded the street after the shooting shortly after 3:30 a.m., and the suspect was taken to a hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries.

Sean Dunbar, 31, shot 18-year-old Christian Bautista of Stockton three times in the hand and shoulder after a brief footchase, said Tracy detective Craig Kootstra. Bautista was taken to Sutter Tracy Community Hospital.

Dunbar kept him at gunpoint until police arrived. Bautista’s .38-caliber revolver was lying in the middle of the street and he was conscious when officers got on scene.

Officers questioned Dunbar and released him, while Bautista was arrested on suspicion of theft, assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a loaded firearm with the intent to commit a felony and carrying a concealed firearm.

Further links:
Man arrested in shooting after release from hospital

Man confronts, shoots armed suspected thief

Arizona: Tempe store owner shoots out tire of fleeing suspect

Tempe, Arizona

From the Arizona Republic of January 7, 2008

Tempe store owner shoots out tire of fleeing suspect

A Tempe store owner's quick shooting reflexes resulted in the arrest of a suspected gun thief Saturday afternoon.

A customer removed a firearm from a display case in the store in the 900 block of South Priest Drive, near University Drive, according to Tempe police reports. The owner pointed his gun at the customer, demanding he return the gun. The customer returned the gun, but then took a .38 caliber revolver and left the store, according to reports.

The owner fired three shots at the customer's escaping vehicle, hitting a tire.

Police found Nathaniel Jones, 21, of Phoenix, trying to change the tire near University and Priest drives at about 2:23 p.m. A glass pipe and marijuana were found in his possession, police said.

He was arrested on suspicion of firearm theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Glenn Heights, TX: Home Invaders Driven Away

Glenn Heights, Texas

From January 6, 2008 WFAA channel 8:

GLENN HEIGHTS - An attempted break-in early Sunday morning led to a terrifying and unexpected wake up call for a woman in Glenn Heights.

While four men failed to break into Carrie Shannon's home on Brentwood Street, their attempt was captured on surveillance video.

Shannon was home alone when the men tried to kick in her door around 4:35 a.m.

"I immediately jumped up," she said of when she heard the loud kicking.

After hearing the men, Shannon said she got out of bed and called police on her cell phone.

"I grabbed my handgun and I proceeded right to the back, because as soon as I saw a shadow, I was going to go ahead and start shooting," she said.

After several kicks, the men gave up and took off.

"I just want to be safe here in my own home," Shannon said. "That's it. That's all I want."

Signs of the attempted home invasion were everywhere in the form of broken glass, damage to the door and a broken lock.

Shannon's home security camera didn't miss a beat either. It even caught one of the men cutting the phone line. The video was turned over to police.

...

Shannon said she believes the incident may be connected to a burglary that happened at her home nearly three weeks ago. In that case, four men stormed into her home through the front door.

"[I'm] just a hard working woman trying to live, trying to support her son and trying to support herself and live a better life," she said.

Alton, TX: Residential Burglars Shot

Alton, Texas

From the January 7, 2008 Brownsville [Texas] Herald:

ALTON - Police continue to investigate a Sunday home invasion by two men that left one of the suspects with two gunshot wounds.

Two men attempted to enter an apartment near the intersection of Glasscock and Mile 6 Roads, Alton Police Investigator Armando Lopez said.

One of the invaders was shot twice upon entering the apartment, Lopez said. The location of the gunshot wounds is unknown,

The two men then left the scene and attempted to find help at the La India Mexican Food Mart at Glasscock and Mile 6 Road.

The injured suspect was transported to McAllen Medical Center for treatment. Lopez said details about the suspect's condition were unavailable Monday morning.

Both suspects are set to be charged with aggravated robbery, Lopez said. None of the victims were injured from the incident.

Spartanburg, S.C. Home Invaders Get Shot

Spartanburg, South Carolina

From January 7, 2008 WYFF channel 4:

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Two people are facing burglary and attempted robbery charges after an apartment break-in led to one of them being shot.

The break-in and shooting happened late Saturday night in at the Campus Edge Apartments in Spartanburg County, near USC-Upstate.

Jeremy Lee and Jacob Holland, are charged with first degree burglary and attempted armed robbery after deputies said that the door of an apartment was kicked open.

Investigators said that a person living in the apartment opened fire with a shot gun.

Gastonia, North Carolina: Gunfight in Convenience Store

Gastonia, North Carolina

From the January 7, 2008 Charlotte [North Carolina] Observer:

A 16-year-old was arrested late Sunday night in connection with an attempted Gastonia convenience store robbery that left two clerks seriously injured.

Police say a suspect apparently engaged in a shootout with a clerk during the Saturday night incident.

Gastonia police said Brandon Carson of Gastonia has been charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.

A couple working together at the Gastonia store are hospitalized in Charlotte. Luke Williams, 45, and girlfriend Vickie Madsen, who is in her early 50s, were airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center late Saturday with multiple gunshot wounds, Gastonia police said. Williams is listed in critical condition this morning. Madsen is in serious condition.

The robbery occurred about 9:45 p.m. Saturday, when an armed man walked into Ken's Superette at 1528 W. May Ave. and demanded money. A gunfight ensued, police said, preventing the robber from getting anything of value.

The suspect fled the scene on foot, police said.

Faye Allen, Vickie Madsen's mother, said the Allen family has owned the store for about 25 years. Vickie Madsen has worked there much of that time as the manager.

Williams, Madsen's fiancee, had gone to the store Saturday night to help her close the place for the night, says Allen.

"My understanding is that the man intended to kill them," Allen said. She said it was her daughter who shot at the robber. "Vickie firing back at him probably saved their lives," says Allen, 77, who has often worked at the store herself.

"She takes after me. Somebody tried to rob me there one night, 10 years ago, and I grabbed his gun and my husband and youngest son jumped on him. The guy got loose and ran, and I chased him down May Street with his own gun, but I couldn't get it to fire."

Michigan: Elderly Man Shoots Home Intruder

Detroit, Michigan

From WDIV of January 6, 2008

Elderly Man Shoots Home Intruder

An 82-year-old man on Detroit's northwest side shot and severely wounded an intruder who walked into his Collingwood Street home Sunday afternoon.

Police said that the intruder, a 44-year-old man from Redford, was visiting friends in the neighborhood when he entered the home of Thomas Jackson, 82, and his wife.

Jackson grabbed his gun and shot the intruder.

Police are investigating why the man had entered the home, but a friend told Local 4 that the intruder has a history of mental illness

"What he does, he's been known to go into people's houses and just sit down," said friend Charles Smith.

"He don't know where he is. He'll go into people's cars and sit down, you know, follow strangers down the street."

The intruder was listed in critical condition at Henry Ford Hospital Sunday evening.