Posted on 10/01/2009 6:46:48 PM PDT by Lorianne
PHOENIX (CBS/KPHO) So many these days can relate to the distress of losing a home, but neighbors in one north Phoenix neighborhood are struggling to understand why one man’s struggle had to end the way it did.
Police said the problems started Tuesday when two men drove to a house near 31st Avenue and Sandra Terrace and told the man there that they’d just purchased the home at auction.
"He obviously became upset, made some comments, and went inside and came back out with a gun," said Detective James Holmes of the Phoenix Police Department.
Investigators said the man fired at the new owners' cars. The new owners ran and were not hurt. Officers arriving on scene reported the man at the house had a gun in one hand and a beer in the other. Police say negotiators tried talking him down, but at some point in the negotiations, the man pointed his gun at a police vehicle.
"At that point, (the SWAT team) fired two sage bullets, which are rubber bullets, at the gentleman. At that point, he raised his weapon and officers returned fire," said Det. Holmes. Neighbors heard several gunshots.
"It breaks my heart," said Jim Ledune, a neighbor.
Another neighbor, who sells foreclosures for a living, said losing a house isn’t worth losing your life, but he does understand how tough it is.
"You've lost more than your home. You've lost something that you stand for, worked hard for and it didn’t work," said Charlie Sykes, a neighbor.
As of Wednesday morning, police had not released the name of the man who was shot and killed by officers or the names of the officers involved in the shooting.
Sad. Home values in PHX have been nuked.
One of the benefits of government housing subsidies.
Five bucks say this reporter doesn’t get so worked up about eminent domain cases.
He shoulda’ joined ACORN!
Wasn’t too wise for the new owners to approach the house with a squatter still in it. The sheriff should do the eviction.
One of the benefits of government housing subsidies
yeah, pretty much eliminates the need for ‘extended care’ on the nationalized health plan.
You can use deadly force to defend a vehicle in AZ?
They auctioned off a home while he was still living there? Wasn’t he evicted first?
“Officers arriving on scene reported the man at the house had a gun in one hand and a beer in the other. “
***
The beer might explain a few things.
Rest in peace, fella, but I can’t get worked up over what happened to the guy. Seems he brought this tragedy upon himself.
I used to work with a lawyer who would often contact owners whose property was being sold for taxes. He would offer to buy their right of redemption for a small amount.
It was a good way to get the property when the auction brought a low price.
Once he contacted a guy who had no idea his house was being auctioned. The guy thanked him for letting him know and went and paid the taxes.
No revenue in that. The sheriff and his or her deputies were all out manning "click it or ticket" checkpoints, DWI checkpoints or radar.
Sorry, but that is Sheriff Arpaio country
Never been thrilled with the idea of taking a man’s home for delinquent taxes. Here in Michigan the DNR/DEQ are snatching them up which is disturbing in itself.
Quite possible there aren't enough deputies to perform evictions with the current rate of foreclosures and auctions happening.
He probably was but most likely broke back in and lived in it anyway.
Who did that?
Yeah, they might have to wait a couple weeks
Is that what happened here?
>Officers arriving on scene reported the man at the house had a gun in one hand and a beer in the other.
Dad?
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