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Another defensive shooting
- Thread starter bestdefense357
- Start date
David Scott
New member
I know some people have trouble with external links, so:
Self-defense cited in highway shooting
By JOE DEPRIEST
GASTONIA -- A Charlotte man said he acted in self-defense when he shot a motorcycle rider who chased him down U.S.321 in Gastonia on Saturday afternoon.
Dennis Warden said he tried to get away, but the man approached his truck when it stopped at a light at the intersection of Rankin Lake Road.
"He was all right until he opened my truck door to jerk me out," said Warden, 63. "That's when I shot him."
The injured man, Dennis Gantt, was in the hospital Sunday and unavailable for comment. His family declined comment.
Gantt, whose age and address weren't available, suffered a chest wound from a .22-caliber handgun. He was listed in good condition late Sunday at Gaston Memorial Hospital.
No charges had been filed Sunday, and authorities said they were turning over the case to Gaston District Attorney Mike Lands.
Warden said he was headed home after a day of playing golf at Briarcreek Golf Club near High Shoals, where he is a member.
Coming down the ramp at the Hardin Road exit onto U.S.321, Warden said, he spotted several motorcycle riders headed in the same direction.
"I passed them on the right," he said. "I think that's what ticked them off. I put a CD in my player and was opening a cigar when all of a sudden two riders were beside me shaking their fists and hollering for me to pull over."
For about 9 miles "I ran for my life," Warden said. "One pulled in front of me and tried to stop me. He hit me twice."
Warden said he sometimes ran up to 100mph.
"I was trying to get to the police station," he said.
When Warden stopped at the traffic signal, he said, a rider got off his motorcycle, approached his truck and threatened him.
"I shot in self defense," Warden said. "I'm hate it happened. I'm not a vigilante. "
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Reach Joe DePriest at (704) 868-7745 or jdepriest@charlotteobserver.com.
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My comments:
The DA may get a true bill against the shooter here. Two reasons. First, truck versus motorcycle in traffic means the shooter had an advantage. Can't BS physics. The bikes hit HIM? That 9 mile chase should have left a trail of Harley parts down the road if they were being that aggressive.
Second, why didn't the shooter lock the doors of his truck? He says the biker pulled open his door. Locking the door gives you the chance to show the aggressor the muzzle end of the gun without having to fire it immediately.
I'm not saying he should not have defended himself, only that he could have done it in a way more defensible in court.
Self-defense cited in highway shooting
By JOE DEPRIEST
GASTONIA -- A Charlotte man said he acted in self-defense when he shot a motorcycle rider who chased him down U.S.321 in Gastonia on Saturday afternoon.
Dennis Warden said he tried to get away, but the man approached his truck when it stopped at a light at the intersection of Rankin Lake Road.
"He was all right until he opened my truck door to jerk me out," said Warden, 63. "That's when I shot him."
The injured man, Dennis Gantt, was in the hospital Sunday and unavailable for comment. His family declined comment.
Gantt, whose age and address weren't available, suffered a chest wound from a .22-caliber handgun. He was listed in good condition late Sunday at Gaston Memorial Hospital.
No charges had been filed Sunday, and authorities said they were turning over the case to Gaston District Attorney Mike Lands.
Warden said he was headed home after a day of playing golf at Briarcreek Golf Club near High Shoals, where he is a member.
Coming down the ramp at the Hardin Road exit onto U.S.321, Warden said, he spotted several motorcycle riders headed in the same direction.
"I passed them on the right," he said. "I think that's what ticked them off. I put a CD in my player and was opening a cigar when all of a sudden two riders were beside me shaking their fists and hollering for me to pull over."
For about 9 miles "I ran for my life," Warden said. "One pulled in front of me and tried to stop me. He hit me twice."
Warden said he sometimes ran up to 100mph.
"I was trying to get to the police station," he said.
When Warden stopped at the traffic signal, he said, a rider got off his motorcycle, approached his truck and threatened him.
"I shot in self defense," Warden said. "I'm hate it happened. I'm not a vigilante. "
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reach Joe DePriest at (704) 868-7745 or jdepriest@charlotteobserver.com.
++++++++++++++++
My comments:
The DA may get a true bill against the shooter here. Two reasons. First, truck versus motorcycle in traffic means the shooter had an advantage. Can't BS physics. The bikes hit HIM? That 9 mile chase should have left a trail of Harley parts down the road if they were being that aggressive.
Second, why didn't the shooter lock the doors of his truck? He says the biker pulled open his door. Locking the door gives you the chance to show the aggressor the muzzle end of the gun without having to fire it immediately.
I'm not saying he should not have defended himself, only that he could have done it in a way more defensible in court.
Mike in VA
New member
David - I pretty much agree with your obvservations. What continues to amaze me is that these 'confrontations' continue to occur, as if giving someone a whuppin' is going to solve anything. Lord knows, I've yet to hear of one that worked out where the offending party went away chastened and contrite and the aggreived party went away happy. Hasn't anyone noticed that they generally end up with one party in the hospital (or morgue) and the other in the slammer? the smart move is to lock your doors, make ready with weapon, and get on the cell phone to the cops.
The other part is attitude. While I'm the last person to suffer fools gladly, I've come to accept the fact that they're out there and the only thing I can really do watch out for them and avoid them (and call them in when they're behaving exceptionally foolishly). The .45 in the glovebox also has a calming effect in that I know I must never do anything to precipitate an 'incident', but I'm prepared to defend myself if somebody else's self control fails.
I assume everyone on the road is an idiot. That way I am never disappointed, but occasionally pleasantly surprised when I encounter someone paying atention and driving with skill & courtesy. Sorry for the rant, but I just fininshed 30 minutes on the Capitol beltway and Dulles toll road - another merry Monday in the magic kingdom. Pax, M2
[This message has been edited by Mike in VA (edited August 21, 2000).]
The other part is attitude. While I'm the last person to suffer fools gladly, I've come to accept the fact that they're out there and the only thing I can really do watch out for them and avoid them (and call them in when they're behaving exceptionally foolishly). The .45 in the glovebox also has a calming effect in that I know I must never do anything to precipitate an 'incident', but I'm prepared to defend myself if somebody else's self control fails.
I assume everyone on the road is an idiot. That way I am never disappointed, but occasionally pleasantly surprised when I encounter someone paying atention and driving with skill & courtesy. Sorry for the rant, but I just fininshed 30 minutes on the Capitol beltway and Dulles toll road - another merry Monday in the magic kingdom. Pax, M2
[This message has been edited by Mike in VA (edited August 21, 2000).]