Posted on 11/28/2013 5:45:24 AM PST by Uncle Chip
after ringing his doorbell when he became lost and confused after wandering off in the middle of the night
A 72-year-old man with advanced Alzheimer's has been shot dead by a homeowner after he rang the bell at the stranger's house when he became lost and confused in the middle of the night.
Ronald Westbrook rang the doorbell of a home at 4am on Wednesday after wandering around in the dark for almost four hours in rural Walker County, Georgia. He had walked around three miles from his home by the time he approached the door.
The shooter was identified as Joe Hendrix, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, according to Sheriff Steve Wilson said.
Mr Westbrook rang the door bell and turned the door handle of the home in the new development where Hendrix had just moved in with his fiancée. The woman, who has not been identified, called 911 and was on the phone with a dispatcher when Hendrix confronted the elderly man in the yard with a 40-caliber handgun.
Mr Westbrook, an Air Force veteran, did not respond to the commands that Hendrix issued to him because Alzheimer's Disease has left the72-year-old practically mute.
Hendrix fired four shots with one bullet striking Mr Westbrook in the chest and killing him. The victim's body was removed from the scene at 10.30am on Wednesday.
It is unlikely that Hendrix will be charged with any crime, according to The Chattanoogan.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
No one in their right mind takes the possibility of killing another human being lightly, even the most deserving low life. It is life altering event that be with you forever. That said, If I was awakened by pounding on my door at 4am (no doorbell) along with the barking of three dogs I would hope my training takes over. But as long as they are on the other side of the door, we all will be seeing the sun rise. Come thru that door and all bets are off. The only reason I would consider going outside was if I saw them committing a felony. A 72 year old man wandering around in the yard is not a felony.
I can see being alarmed by someone at the door in the middle of the night. But I wouldn’t have shot unless they forced the door.
LOL! People with Alzhiemers get lost all the time. I work in the senior living industry and you would have to have an armed guard at every door. Ain’t gonna happen.
There is just enough information in this article to confirm one thing: Alzheimer can cause you to do all sorts of things that will kill you or get you killed. This includes doing things that can be mistaken for attempting to violate peoples property with nefarious motives and then be confused enough to act and talk in a way that confirms a person’s suspicions.
I agree we probably do not have enough facts. Can’t depend on reporters or media!!
The guy should be charged. That’s ridiculous.
Totally agree with you. The use of deadly force should be prudently employed. Obviously here it was not, assuming this story is accurate.
There are no villians in this story just grief, saddness and loss for all involved.
God forgive me, but if I was under the condition that the poor veteran was, I hope somebody takes me out back and shoots me in the head. Seriously, I know that is not exactly what happened, but that veteran was going through hell internally and now is at peace with God. I truly believe he is better off. I know it sounds harsh, but I have seen what that disease is like and the longer you “linger” the worse off you are.
this was a little pos who shot someone asking for help
Not exactly. He was mute.
The following from a Chattanooga newspaper reveals that the shooter was not the home owner but was there visiting his girl friend, and the shooter left the home, pursued the victim into the back yard and then shot him:
A 34-year-old Chattanooga man shot and killed a 72-year-old man who rang the doorbell around 4 a.m. today at a home in a new subdivision off North Marble Top Road in rural Walker County, Ga., Sheriff Steve Wilson said.
At a news conference this afternoon, Wilson identified the shooter at the house on Cottage Crest Court as Joe Hendrix of Ooltewah and the victim as Ronald Westbrook of Walker County.
Wilson said the victim, who had advanced Alzheimer’s disease, had been walking around for about four hours and almost three miles before the incident occurred. He said Westbrook was lost and rang the doorbell and turned the door handle at the home, where Hendrix was visiting his fiancee.
The woman, who was not identified, called a 911 dispatcher and was on the phone with that person when Hendrix took a 40-caliber handgun outside and confronted the victim in the yard behind the home, the sheriff said.
Westbrook apparently did not respond to commands from Hendrix because his condition has left him essentially mute, the sheriff said.
Hendrix fired four shots, one of which struck the victim in the chest and killed him.
The victim’s body was removed around 10:30 a.m., and the shooter was allowed to drive off in his own vehicle.
Wilson said District Attorney Herbert “Buzz” Franklin, who was called to the shooting scene this morning, will determine whether any charges will be filed against Hendrix.
The couple moved into the home about two weeks ago, next-door neighbor Brandi Wallace said.
Wallace’s family was awakened by the gunshots.
For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.
implanted with a chip or some kind of device to alert, identify & locate family or police.
Eeak. That is a horrible idea. Can you imagine the outrage.
And some of us 2nd Amendment-loving gun nuts agree with you. Self-defense, including use of deadly force when unavoidable, comes with a heavy burden of responsibility. If the facts are as presented (that’s always a big if), the shooter left a place of safety to confront someone who posed no immediate threat, while police were being summoned. Going outside in the dark chasing unknown potential criminals is a good way to get killed by the criminals or shot by the police who arrive adrenalized and see an armed man roaming around. Hendricks seems to be culpable for negligent homicide at minimum.
Oh Lord. Is this going to be our Trayvon case where we look to the homeowner as a villain when he was just protecting his property. Sorry by the guy did not answer him (couldn’t) and he would not leave. I either need more information or I hope the homeowner does not get charged. That’s ridiculous if he is. Seems like the police are more responsible than you are at this point thankfully. Let the adults sort this out.
Agreed, but folks like me have a tendency to love veterans so it makes a difference to me.
But I understand what you mean.
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