Homeowner shoots alleged plant thief (Texas)

San Antonio Express News ^ | 02/15/2012 | Ana Ley

[Responsibility2nd]

Police said a homeowner shot a man in the head after the man reportedly tried to steal a potted plant from the homeowner's property Wednesday morning.

Police received calls about the purported theft about 8 a.m. near the intersection of Shadwell Drive and Red Bud Drive on the West Side, said Sgt. Chris Benavides, a spokesman for the San Antonio Police Department.

About the same time, officers were called to the suspect's residence at the Cabana Apartments on the 300 block of Sunshine Drive, where his wife told police he had been shot in the head after dropping his children off at school.

Benavides said the suspect apparently drove to the victim's residence and attempted to take a potted plant.

The homeowner reportedly shot at the suspect with a handgun several times, striking him once in the head.

Benavides said a single bullet was apparently lodged between the suspect's scalp and his skull.

The injured man, in his 40s, was not critically injured and is expected to survive. Benavides said he will likely be charged with theft or burglary. The homeowner is not expected to be charged.

“He is protected because he was trying to prevent theft to his property,” Benavides said.

[Responsibility2nd]

"Touch that fern and I'll put a bullet in your head!"

[bigbob]

Maybe the guy got lucky after giving his wife the nice flowers he stole yesterday from the cemetary...

[Tenacious 1]

For Gawd’s sake, DON’T BREAK THE LAW IN TEXAS!

No! Not even vegetation.

[InsidiousMongo]

Get off my lawn!!!

[ExTxMarine]

Before all the liberal leaning RINO’s jump on here and start screaming, “Over a plant?!?” or “It’s just things!!” Just know that often, burglars will make “test runs” on a property to see if the coast is clear before they return to rob you blind.

Now this burglar - and all the rest around San Antonio - knows that this property (inside and out) is well protected and will AVOID this house. THAT is how it SHOULD be everywhere!

I work in the construction business. If they steal my truck or my tools out of my shed, then I cannot work or provide for my family! So, it isn’t “just things,” etc... use your brains - I worked for it, and no one has a right to it except ME (and my family if I let them)!!

[Terry Mross]

Shadwell Drive and Red Bud Drive

From the movie FUNNY FARM

Truck Driver: “Hey, Mac! Can you tell me how to get to Red Bud?”

Man on Porch: “How’d you know my name was Mack?”

Truck Driver: “Just guessed”.

Man on Porch: “Why don’t you guess your way to Red Bud then.”

[re_nortex]

"He is protected because he was trying to prevent theft to his property,” Benavides said.

Texas is just the greatest and has been Blessed by God. Property rights and state's rights really are respected here. It's what's best about America as envisioned by the Founding Fathers.

[BuffaloJack]

He was probably feeling around the plant looking for an extra house key.

[Flycatcher]

Hope the potted plant is OK.

[Moonman62]

Before all the liberal leaning RINO’s jump on here and start screaming, “Over a plant?!?” or “It’s just things!!”

What about Christian non-RINO's who would say the same thing? Or what about gun owner non-RINO's who don't want incidents like this used as justification for tougher gun laws? I think it's lucky for everybody that the wound ended up being minor, but the shooter was obviously shooting to kill.

[PapaBear3625]

What level of property theft WOULD you be OK with shooting the thief over? $10? $100? $1000? $None?

[Steamburg]

They should charge the thief for stealing the bullets too, but those were probably a gift from the home owner.

I’m sure that there will be a whole bunch of whiners who wish he was stealing the potted plant to feed his children, cause if it’s for the children it’s always justified to do bad stuff. Respect the property of others and expect them to respect, not covet yours.

[Osage Orange]

Shot several times...hitting him once.

Not sure anything is obvious here.

[bgill]

He was probably feeling around the plant looking for an extra house key.

That's what I was thinking. Just this week I got into our neighbor's house by looking in the obvious places for a key. Yes, it was for a totally innocent reason but I had forgotten to bring the key they'd given me. Found it in the second place I looked. Why bother locking the door if the key is that easily found?

[ExTxMarine]

What about Christian non-RINO's who would say the same thing? Or what about gun owner non-RINO's who don't want incidents like this used as justification for tougher gun laws?

I think all of those useful-idiots should also take note of the portion of my post that you did NOT post! Not defending yourself so that you can be victimized again is simply stupid.

Your "justification for tougher gun laws" meme is simply denying the fact that the people making that argument are going to use this CRIMINAL ACTIVITY (the burglar) regardless of his condition: a strawman is good DEAD or ALIVE! To think otherwise is really not living in reality.

Besides, I have been trained both in the Marine Corps and through non-military arms training, that you shoot to kill. I don't want them returning with more fire power or suing me for lost of limb, etc...

Oh, and I made both these posts as a Christian. Thank you.

[DJ MacWoW]

Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth. - George Washington

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[Moonman62]

I think all of those useful-idiots should also take note of the portion of my post that you did NOT post!

It wasn't worth quoting.

Not defending yourself so that you can be victimized again is simply stupid.

He was defending a plant.

[Moonman62]

What level of property theft WOULD you be OK with shooting the thief over? $10? $100? $1000? $None?

I don't think the theft of a plant rises to the occasion.

[Moonman62]

Shot several times...hitting him once.

Not sure anything is obvious here.

You're right. The bullet lodged next to his skull was probably a ricochet.

[AnTiw1]

I wouldn’t have shot him...God just sent me a heavy bag that screams, how often does that happen?