Juvenile who shot at robbers arrested and charged (CA)(Clerk shot in leg at local store)

the porterville recorder ^ | 6 22 03 | John Young

[freepatriot32]

PORTERVILLE - It was business as usual this morning at Sherwood Handy Market, even though just hours earlier a shooting occurred during a robbery attempt.

Tulare County sheriff's detectives said on Monday night a clerk was shot in the leg and there was an exchange of gunfire outside the store as the would-be robbers fled, empty-handed.

Detectives said they received reports at about 9:30 p.m. of a shoot-out at the store at 1907 W. Morton Avenue in Porterville. Deputies were told two men wearing red clothing walked into the market and demanded money from the clerk.

When he did not respond quickly enough, possibly due to fear, they shot him in the leg. The clerk, whose name was withheld by investigators, was treated at Sierra View District Hospital.

As the bandits fled the store, a juvenile who was inside, angry about the incidents, chased the two men into an adjacent field and drew a gun, firing one round at them as they fled.

The robbers fired back momentarily, and then they fled.

Detectives said the juvenile male was later arrested for negligent discharge of a firearm and booked into a county juvenile detention facility.

Store owner San Aroush said this morning that the clerk is "OK now."

"He continues to be in stable condition," said Lt. Donna Perry of the sheriff's department.

Aroush, of Porterville, said Monday's incident was the first robbery he's experienced since he bought the store about three years ago.

"The person who had it before me said he never had any robberies either," Aroush said.

Sheriff's detectives are also investigating a robbery and brandishing a weapon that occurred Monday afternoon at Springville Avenue and Bennett Street in Porterville.

A 13-year-old boy said he was riding his bicycle when two other youths approached him. One kicked him off his bicycle, and the victim said he was chasing them with a wrench in his hand when one brandished a knife.

Deputies said they interviewed two suspects in the incident.

John Young can be reached at 784-5000 Ext. 1046 or by e-mail at John_Young@link.freedom.com

[Onelifetogive]

Detectives said the juvenile male was later arrested for negligent discharge of a firearm and booked into a county juvenile detention facility.

I know FReepers will be all up in arms about the victim being arrested...but we do not yet know the circumstances of his firing a shot. I am uncomfortable with anyone having the right to fire off a shot in any direction, at any time, in any situation, with any number of people in the path. We don't know the situation.

[Uncle Hal]

Porterville, my home town. I was born and raised their. Left at 18 (1954) to go to collage. Still have a few relatives their.

[coloradan]

If youth were a cop, and the fleeing suspects were killed, it would be ruled a "good shoot." I would like to see that standard applied either to everyone, civilians and police, or to no one, neither civilians nor police. If it's right to shoot a fleeing violent felon when you're a police officer, it should be right to shoot one when you're a civilian. Remember that the police do not have a duty to protect, and, duty or not, are not actually protecting when a violent felon is getting away.

[coloradan]

A civilian who shoots at fleeing violent felons is criminally charged. Compare this to the case in which police officers shot and killed a fleeing but unarmed suspect and killed him.

[TigersEye]

I am uncomfortable with anyone having the right to fire off a shot in any direction, at any time, in any situation, with any number of people in the path.

No one has that right so don't worry.

[robertpaulsen]

"when a violent felon, who is armed and has just shot someone is getting away", you mean.

Now if the police had an opportunity to stop this fleeing violent armed felon and didn't, and that same felon assaulted me soon afterward, I'd be a rich man thank you City of Porterville.

[KCmark]

If youth were a cop, and the fleeing suspects were killed, it would be ruled a "good shoot." I would like to see that standard applied either to everyone, civilians and police, or to no one, neither civilians nor police.

---

That is one of the most common sense statement about shots fired I have ever seen. Brilliant. Thank you.

[CPOSharky]

If it's right to shoot a fleeing violent felon when you're a police officer, it should be right to shoot one when you're a civilian.

Depends on the state in which you reside. Some states, like Texas, you can chase the goblin down and shoot them.

Other states, like Virginia, you can't shoot if the goblin has turned to leave. Doesn't matter if he just killed your dog, raped your wife, and has you gun collection. If he is leaving the "danger is over" and you can do nothing.

And in some areas you can't even have a gun.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

As the bandits fled the store, a juvenile who was inside, angry about the incidents, chased the two men into an adjacent field and drew a gun, firing one round at them as they fled.

A juvenile should not be walking around with a gun, period.

[coloradan]

"when a violent felon, who is armed and has just shot someone is getting away", you mean.

That is what I meant by "violent felon." He isn't a "suspect" - he was followed from the moment of the commission of the crime, in hot pursuit, by the kid, before shots were fired. There is no doubt about the identity of the criminals.

Now if the police had an opportunity to stop this fleeing violent armed felon and didn't, and that same felon assaulted me soon afterward, I'd be a rich man thank you City of Porterville.

I don't believe you are correct. The police have no duty to protect individuals, and you can't sue them if they failed to protect you, even if they promised to do so. Read Dial 911 and Die. Well, strictly speaking, you can sue them but you will lose.

[coloradan]

You're welcome. Please, let's leave caste systems to India and have just one level of citizen here, and one set of laws that we all must live under - from the beggar to the President.

[FITZ]

A juvenile should not be walking around with a gun, period.

That might depend on the neighborhood they have to be in.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I am uncomfortable with anyone having the right to fire off a shot in any direction, at any time, in any situation, with any number of people in the path.

Did you read the story? I think if you re-read it you would be able to remove the the first three items from that list of concerns.

[Mulder]

I am uncomfortable with anyone having the right to fire off a shot in any direction, at any time, in any situation, with any number of people in the path.

So you're uncomfortable with the police being armed?

[Mulder]

Remember that the police do not have a duty to protect, and, duty or not, are not actually protecting when a violent felon is getting away.

The Supreme Court has ruled as such.

The only thing police should be able to do that "ordinary citizens" can't is to:

1) Serve warrants
2) Arrest people for misdemeanors
3) Briefly detain people under the "reasonable suspicion" they have broken a law.

Beyond that, there should really be no difference.

[Redcloak]

It's also illegal for a juvenile to be in possession of a handgun in CA.

[Just another Joe]

A juvenile should not be walking around with a gun, period.

Is this a blanket statement?
I can remember the times when high school boys brought their guns to school in order to get a quick start on hunting after school.
Nothing bad seemed to happen in those cases.

I think this boy had the right intent with the wrong action.

[tubebender]

Porterville Ping...

[arthurus]

I think the boy did right. No qualifications needed. He did the right thing.