Posted on 01/11/2017 2:20:53 PM PST by BenLurkin
The victim, Rebecca Rawson, 65, was fatally injured after approaching the armed householder's home on Tuesday night, say sheriff's officials.
As her relative knocked on the door, Eugene Matthews, 83, emerged firing a handgun, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
...
Officials say that Ms Rawson and her daughter waited in their car as her brother-in-law knocked on Mr Matthew's door to ask if he had seen their dog.
Police say Mr Matthews opened his door and started shooting at the family.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
Rebecca Rawson, 65, the deceased, drove her daughter, Kathryn Rawson, and her brother-in-law, Rodney Rawson, to Matthews' home on Pritchart Road to pick up her dog.When Rodney knocked on the door of the home, deputies say a woman named Juanita Sills, who lives there, opened the door. Rodney called the dog's name and the dog came to the door. He picked it up and began walking back to the car.
That's when Matthews came out of the home with a handgun and fired two shots into the air, deputies said. Matthews then fired a single round into the windshield of the vehicle and hit Rebecca in the face, according to the report. The car drifted into reverse and crashed.
Rodney grabbed the gun from Matthews and a struggle ensued. Matthews fired another round before Rodney could take the gun away.
Rebecca was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
There must have been some disagreement in Matthews's mind over who should keep the dog. The dog, Bart, belonged to Rebecca Rawson's recently deceased husband, who was apparently a good friend of Matthews.
Taking a wild-ass guess, I predict senile dementia will be the defense.
According the deputies, Rawson, her daughter and her brother-in-law went to Matthews' Pritchart Road home to retrieve their dog. The animal reportedly belonged to Rawson's estranged husband, who died last week. Matthews was a friend of his and took the dog in after his death.It sounds like the lady was on the wrong side of a domestic issue.
Thanks!
I’m 48 and that would be my defense :)
I dont know how long the guy had the dog or why he was the one watching it. Was his wife watching and she died recently?
And who’s Juanita Stills? :)
They were there on legitimate business. The man was taking care of the dog and they were there to pick it up. He shot past his property line killing a woman in her car. Sounds like out and out murder. Lock him up and throw away the key.
#FakeNews. Apparently quite a bit more to the story than the BBC and the headline report.
I agree. I can imagine drastic apocalyptic times where one might have this reaction to a door knock, but this certainly is not one of them.
Brother in Law knocked on the door....
guy comes out firing and doesn’t hit the BIL standing in front of him but kills the lady in the car that is a ways away?
story needs some clarity...
“story needs some clarity...”
The old man is either a hell of a shot or Lady Luck was not with the victim that night.
Wonder if he is a vet Loretta?
Guy sounds like he has some major issues regardless. Charge him!
LOL, he probably moved to that jurisdiction at the age of 53.
It didn't sound like it to me. It sounded like the old man promised the late husband he would never let his estranged wife get the dog. When the wife sent her brother there to take the dog, the old man snapped.
Yes - definitly important details. I’m guessing the old guy will still be in trouble for shooting the lady. ALTHOUGH - I wonder if there is some defense that she was the one ordering the dog napping, and that SHE was the real threat and not the brother-in-law. Although it would seem to me that shooting someone to stop a dog napping (or kidnapping or major theft) would only be justified to stop the immediate threat (so the brother-in-law in this case).
How about the 83 year old is a dangerous nucking futcase?
And was the woman estranged from her husband because of his behavior or association with this old criminal?
Did the old guy have legitimate custody of the dog?Did the recently deceased husband?
Since dog came to BIL when called it seems he,at least,was happy to see them.
Excessive warning signs and “armed mannequin” are clues to someone having mental health issues.
Still need thorough investigation but I think some BIG. Changes are coming to the old fellow’s life.
Very much agree. I wonder what had been said between the people up to then.
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