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Posted on 06/26/2005 6:10:58 PM PDT by Mr. Mojo
One Suspect In Critical Condition
HOUSTON -- A northeast Houston man opened fire on suspected car thieves who were trying to steal his vehicle, police told Local 2 Friday.
Officers said two men driving a stolen tow truck were trying to tow a car out of the Swiss Village Apartments parking lot on Homestead near Tidwell shortly before 5 a.m.
Roosevelt Grant is a neighbor of the car owner. He said he knew something was wrong when he saw the white Buick LeSabre hooked up to a tow truck. Then, he said he saw his neighbor running after his car and shooting a gun at the two men inside the wrecker.
"I just heard a loud, squealing noise and I just happened to see a wrecker truck," Grant said. "To take something that belongs to you is just not right."
The car's owner fired a total of six shots at the wrecker, hitting Antonio Devon Hunt, 29, who police said was driving the tow truck. He was shot once in the head and transported to Ben Taub Hospital in critical condition.
The other man escaped.
Police said that the men stole the tow truck a week ago and were using it to steal vehicles.
"I feel sure that they stole the wrecker for a reason and, so, it's entirely possible that other vehicles have been stolen in this manner and fashion," said Sgt. Jim Binford, with HPD Homicide.
The car theft suspects also allegedly punctured the tires of three other vehicles in the area. Officials believe they were trying to prevent anyone from chasing them.
Neighbors supported the car owner who fought back when his vehicle was being stolen.
"I didn't even know he owned a gun. I probably would have done the same thing if it was my car," a neighbor known only as Linda said.
Police do not expect to file charges against the owner because the shooting appears to be justified. The case will be referred to a grand jury.
Texas law allows people to use deadly force to protect their property or, under certain circumstances, to stop someone they believe is committing a crime.
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Not too bad a shot, for someone running after a fleeing truck with a pistol (probably a revolver, from the description). Six rounds fired, and one of them hit the guy in the head. (Unfortunately, it didn't kill him, oh well).
That's better than most cops do in the same situation.
Sounds like a good shoot. The moral of this story is 'Don't steal stuff in TX cause the owner can legally shoot you even if you don't threaten him'
In a Blue state like Massachusetts or Illinois that guy would be so far back in the dungeons that lawyers would have to send him business cards by slingshot.
In Texas, they still give a man the right to defend himself and his property from today's urban mutants.
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
What, that's not a everyday occurrence?
Yup, one of many reasons I live here in TX. :)
I can just about guarantee that this is going to be a *real* short investigation.
The best part is that if the shooter applies to the Crime Victims' Fund, he can get reimbursed for his expended ammo.
In some cases it would be a repossession...
Which still gets a wrecker driver shot once in a while. Maybe not often enough.
>>>"If he would have just called the police to handle the situation:
1. There wouldn't be a criminal in the hospital.
2. The criminal would be free to steal as many cars as he wanted.
3. The police wouldn't have to waste their time investigating a shooting instead of ignoring a car theft.
4. The victim would have to find a way to buy a new car and stimulate the economy.
5. Someone would have a relatively new car at a considerably reduced price"<<<
And the City would have been out 2 or 3 Clickit or Ticket Citations
TT
Texans are a more advanced species, to be sure.
Thank you
God bless Texas!
Good for Texas! A great law.
"Texas law allows people to use deadly force to protect their property AT NIGHT or, under certain circumstances, to stop someone they believe is committing a crime."
I wonder if the shrimp factory owner down in Freeport, TX could shoot one of the city officials that are trying to steal his land through eminent domain by claiming that he was just protecting his property????
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