No Charges In Shooting Of Robber With Water Nozzle

ABC Denver Channel 7 ^ | September 26, 2005

[george76]

Liquor Store Owner Cleared By Weld County District Attorney

An investigation of the shooting determined that the liquor store owner, Ron Trauernicht, 59, shot Wies because he thought Wies was going to shoot Norma Trauernicht, Ron's wife.

The robbery attempt began when police said that Wies entered the store and said he had a gun. He had something in his hand covered by cloth and used it to order store employees and two customers into a back cooler.

Police said that Wies was taking money from the cash register when Norma Trauernicht came out of the cooler and confronted him. Wies pushed her to the floor as Ron Trauernicht came out of the cooler and grabbed a .357-caliber revolver he kept in the store for protection.

Ron Trauernicht told Wies to put his weapon down, but told investigators that Wies pointed the simulated weapon at Norma Trauernicht's head. That's when her husband fired a single shot at Wies, striking him in the forehead. He died four days later.

Police found Wies was not armed with a weapon but with the water sprinkler covered with cloth to simulate a gun.

Weld County District Attorney Kenneth R. Buck determined that Ron Trauernicht acted within the law because he believed that he and his wife were in imminent danger of being killed and that he believed a crime was being committed when he fired the fatal shot.

An investigation revealed that Wies was suspected in at least four robberies in Greeley and Loveland. In all of the robberies, police said he covered his hand to make it appear he had a gun.

[george76]

I once knew a man with a wooden leg named Smith.

What is the rest?...

[Ben Mugged]

I couldn't figure out how the store owner shot the robber with a water nozzle. Did he squirt water at him? Isn't english composition a requirement for reporters anymore?

[highlymotivated]

I would tend to agree with you but from a LEGAL persective, once the threat is OVER, i.e., Death or Serious Bodily Harm is NOT IMMINENT, you had better BACK OFF! Pulling off 2/3 shots, OK, hold and if the threat is STILL there, another 2/3 but dumping 8-10 into them in one setting is not good. It gives a ADA or DA trying to make a name for themselves too much to play with.

[dangus]

In a cafe that I eat at, there is a sign advertising "DATE NUT BARS." I told the clerk, "Naw, I've dated my share of nut bars, and I can't agree with that recommendation."

[Lancey Howard]

Ron Trauernicht told Wies to put his weapon down, but told investigators that Wies pointed the simulated weapon at Norma Trauernicht's head. That's when her husband fired a single shot at Wies, striking him in the forehead. He died four days later.

Wow! Excellent shot! Sounds like "right between the eyes". Bravo!

[ZGuy]

Perhaps I overstated, but I don't think the best course of action is to fire only one shot and then stop to see if you got the guy. If you didn't -- you're probably dead along with your wife and kids. What do the firearms self-defense instructors say to do in a kill or be killed situation? I am thinking that firing for a second or so seems about right. That would be 4 or 5 shots.

[dangus]

>> Don't bring a water nozzle to a gun fight. <<

Even for a well-armed citizenry, I wouldn't recommend going to gun fights in general. :^)

[SengirV]

So sad that this citizen had to go through this legal trouble.

[highlymotivated]

I teach firearms and we have a lawyer who passes the laws to my students.

It is ok to fire off two or three, in fact, you WILL in a tense situation. You don't want to fill someone full of lead for two reasons.

1. It leaves you low on ammo in a fight.

2. It allows DA's to read into it and propose that you were gun crazy, etc.

Thus:

1. USE FACTORY AMMO in self-protection weapons.

2. Three things MUST be said to cops AFTERWARDS:

(A) I was SOOOOOOOO scared.

(B) He/she/they said that they were going to kill me/us.

(C) I'm not saying a THING more until I speak to a lawyer.

THEN SHUT UP!

[ZGuy]

An an instructor, you will be glad to know that I am saving your response and will share it with my family.

[CSM]

Well, I learn something every day at FR. Now I know what I always feared.....Don't bring a water spray nozzle to a gun fight!

[Mr. Mojo]

Original thread (posted in July)

[george76]

Thanks.

This process took a long time.

[SALChamps03]

Good shootin'!

[george76]

please also add me to your list.

[Snickersnee]

Very poor headline-writing. "...Shooting of Nozzle-wielding Robber with .357 Magnum" is more like it.

[Tenacious 1]

Please put me on your ping list.

Thanks.

[zip]

That's when her husband fired a single shot at Wies, striking him in the forehead. He died four days later.

Man, talk about hard headed. Remember, that was a .357.

[zip]

I once knew a man with a wooden leg named Smith.

Hey, you can be a reporter now that you know how to write headlines. :>)