(AZ) Attempted Car Thief Killed

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Oatka

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Dent-puller vs handgun = "He died instantly . . ."

Attempted Car Thief Killed
Phoenix, Feb 25, 2001 10:44 AM

Phoenix police say a 15-year-old male was shot and killed Saturday as he attempted to steal a car.

Although the law says you cannot use lethal force to defend your property, the car owner acted lawfully when he fired his gun at the suspect because of the tool the suspect, identified as Joshua Adam Walker, used to break into the car.

The tool is something used every day in auto body shops to remove dents from vehicles, but when the man used one just like it as a weapon, investiators say the car owner acted in self-defense. "He died instantly," said a spokesperson for the Phoenix Police Department.

REST OF ARTICLE
 
Gee, that's too horrible. I guess he won't be stealing cars anymore.

What's up with kids these days? When I was 15, I tried to make money by helping out at the local public pool's snack shack, selling candy. I didn't steal cars and attack their rightful owners with dent pullers. My profits were probably a lot less, but nobody ever felt the need to center-punch me with a 9mm while I was on the job.
 
well isnt it true in the old west that you could shoot a man for stealing a horse, and aint a car a modern horse?
 
This guy is very, very lucky!!! He could have (and may yet be) charged with aggrevated assault, or 2nd degree murder. Truth is, that our County Attorney (Maricopa) Rick Romley is an anti-gun zelot who is trying to make a name for himself in order to garner political advancement. The only thing that stops this Liberal in Republican's clothing is that AZ law allows for using deadly force to defend ones self. The legal sticking point will be this: was the gun holstered, or not when he went out to confront the car thief. If not, then it COULD be argued that the KID was acting in self defence with the only weapon that he had available to him, and lost his life anyway. Our would be crime stopping hero is not out of the fire yet by any means. There will be inevitable civil action that will be taken by the kid's family. Just my thoughts on the matter.
 
I disagree in some respects ...

Well, I do agree that Romley is known as an anti-self defense gun bigot. And, any time a firearm is used in self defense, the surviving defender can expect civil and criminal actions.

But, I doubt that having the firearm holstered will be the ultimate factor deciding this case. When a homeowner is investigating a possible attack upon the homestead, it is not necessary to be 'fair' and 'draw' on a suspect. Especially in a case like this.

The homeowner's attention was drawn to something amiss. If he had grabbed a shotgun or rifle, that firearm would not have been holstered. However, in this case, the homeowner grabbed a sidearm. The suspect had just completed one crime and was in the process of another. He allegedly rushed the homeowner, brandishing a weapon that certainly would have been capable of inflicting lethal injuries. And, it sounds as though there is one witness ... only the homeowner.

Now, other facts may emerge. But, based upon what we have now, it certainly sounds like a very strong case for the homeowner. And, I'm not an attorney, but the matter of the stolen SUV would seem likely to be available as evidence at trial ... it is not an earlier conviction - it happened just prior to the young man's final criminal act.


This is a tragedy, and I doubt the homeowner feels good about the entire incident. However, it is as we have said before ... would this have been a better ending if we read that a homeowner had been bludgeoned to death, his car stolen, and police were looking for the perp? Of course not.

This is a tragedy. But, it is a tragedy that was caused only by young Mr. Walker. His criminal career was cut short, and we can only wonder if other lives were saved ... lives that might have been lost in the future if Mr. Walker had continued his predations without hindrance.

Let me point out one other, very salient fact. It wasn't that long ago that a man in another Phoenix suburb (Ahwatukee) caught some fellows stealing his truck. The truck owner (in his 50's, as I recall) jumped into the bed of the truck as the perps began to drive away. The criminals murdered the truck owner, and dumped his body.

Difference? One innocent victim was armed, and ready to defend his own life ... and, the other was unarmed, and foolishly rushed in, unprepared for the brutality of his attackers. The gun bigots will see only the tragic death of a foolish 15-year-old kid. I see the tragic death of a foolish young criminal, and I see the triumph and continued life of innocent, potential victims. Effectively, they choose criminals. I choose honest citizens. And thus, we are locked in a philosophical war.

Regards from AZ
 
Lucky?

I dunno...seems he paid attention when he was a Boy Scout.

Ever see a slide hammer? I'd have punched his ticket, too.
 
For those who haven't - here's a picture:

su-3911.jpg


That slide is 5 pounds (big spindle-looking thing on the long shaft). Ouch!

If you swing a slide hammer, the slide goes away from you due to centrifugal force, so this thing becomes a mace with a 5 pound head.

I'd have shot, too.
 
Jeff,
I was just trying to get into ol' Rick's, and the accident-injury lawyer's noggin. This is going to come up, mark my words. If our would be Drug Czar has anything to say about it, this guy is going to the gas chamber. (per se)
Remember the guy in Peoria that just got 5 years hard time for holding two punks that were trying to break in to his trailer at gunpoint for the police. That was Rick Romley's doing.
 
denfoote, I understand. If I were the homeowner, I'd have concern too. Never 'been there', and hope not to be ... my training tells me to keep my mouth shut, and discuss the case only via my attorney. Hope the guy has good representation.

Let's hope Romley gets that federal job ...

Regards from AZ
 
There was just recently a carjacking by a fleeing suspect in Hamburg, Germany. The suspect jumped into the car that was waiting at a red light, forced the owner to drive on, and - when he thought he could not escape - discharged a hand grenade inside the car. The suspect is listed in critical condition, the car owner in serious condition and the police cleared of having accidentally shot the car owner (no bullet wounds, just effects of the grenade).

Now I would rather have a gun and use it than get blown up when the HRT corners the carjacker in my car with me...
 
You gotta love Arizona.

Rick Romley gun bigotry or not, the guy walked on the shooting. (Romley is playing it closer to the vest now that "W" is at the helm)
Good bullet placement saved the day for the shooter. my hat is off to him. One to the heart ened it.
The police called it a clear cut case of self defense.
 
This kid was not attacking

He was hiding. The POS that killed him probably got scared when he found him and shot him like a piece of trash. I'm all for having gun rights, but, this wasn't self defense. The kid was with other kids and they ran while he hid.
 
This thread started in February of 2001. I think that qualifies as a zombie thread.

The thread has been reported to the moderators for closure.
 
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