Man arrested after killing 24-year-old trying to steal his car, Missouri cops say

Kansas City Star via Yahoo ^ | Janaury 19, 2023 | Mike Stunson

[grundle]

An Illinois man has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old outside a Missouri gas station, police say.

The fatal shooting happened around 2:10 a.m. on Jan. 7 in the parking lot of a Conoco gas station, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said.

Surveillance footage showed Jesse Lopez was trying to steal a car belonging to Brett Kress, when Kress shot at him, KSDK reported, citing a probable cause statement. Kress, from Sauget, Illinois, chased after Lopez and shot him three times, according to KSDK.

Officers found Lopez unconscious and not breathing. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Police in St. Charles County, which neighbors St. Louis County, discovered a “suspicious vehicle” on Tuesday, Jan. 17, that officers determined belonged to Kress, KMOV reported. He was captured nearby hiding in a shed of a mobile home park, according to the TV station.

Kress, 26, was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action, St. Louis police said.

Missouri law states that a person can use deadly force for self-defense but not to protect one’s property.

A person who uses deadly force must “prove he or she reasonably believed physical or deadly force was necessary to protect him or herself,” the law states.

[Paul R.]

Odds that the current MO legislature might make the law more property owner friendly???

From the little I know of Parsons (MO Governor) it seems like he might sign such.

However, I rather doubt public or legislative or executive or judicial support could be found for property owners chasing after thieves and executing them...

[Oil Object Insp]

Law in the court.

Justice in the streets.

If the courts will not provide a secure society, then the citizens must do their duty.

[Oil Object Insp]

The correct answer is 10 lifetimes.

[Oil Object Insp]

Amen.

Bury the dead, and let the guy go back to work, with his car.

[higgmeister]

My Grandpap in Oklahoma Territory once tracked a horse thief down into Texas but lost the trail.   He swore he would have killed him if he found him.

I have a very old picture of my maternal Grandmother's family and relatives, all standing on a hillside with their horses, including women and a some children.   The occasion was the hanging of a cousin for horsetheving.   He claimed he was innocent.   Why did we stop using common sense concerning crime?

[Eleutheria5]

I still want to know the circumstances. If it was a car-jacking, it was self defense.

[ExTxMarine]

I concur!

I definitely would be voting for acquittal, if on the jury.

[nonliberal]

If the police were actually on our side, yes. But they aren’t.

[Vigilanteman]

Not sure if that is a good test since:

1. If you are an Antifa freak throwing a firebomb at a Federal Building in Portland, all is OK . . . but
   
2. If you are a patriot climbing through a broken window in the Capitol Building, you can be shot in the back and killed with zero consequence to the LEO.

[ExTxMarine]

DING! DING! DING!

We have a WINNER!!

[TheWriterTX]

Correct.

If they are fleeing, don’t shoot.

Now, if they are fleeing with your kidnapped child in their arms or your car, that’s a different story.

[lepton]

What’s your time limit for shooting at someone who tried and failed to steal your property?

---

Though in this case the steal was successful - at least until the thief was shot.

[lepton]

Yes. The states have decided slavery is acceptable.

[AF_Blue]

Agree.

He should have just tossed the perp in his trunk and drove away.

[muir_redwoods]

Poster-child case for jury nullification.

[JimRed]

NOT always-—Sometimes the horse thief just got hung from the nearest tree.

Or shot by the posse.

El Paso

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso I fell in love with a Mexican girl Nighttime would find me in Rosa's cantina Music would play and Felina would whirl

Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina Wicked and evil while casting a spell My love was deep for this Mexican maiden I was in love but in vain, I could tell

One night a wild young cowboy came in Wild as the West Texas wind Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing With wicked Felina, the girl that I loved

So in anger I challenged his right for the love of this maiden Down went his hand for the gun that he wore My challenge was answered in less than a heartbeat The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor

Out through the back door of Rosa's I ran Out where the horses were tied I caught a good one, it looked like it could run Up on its back and away I did ride

Just as fast as I could From the West Texas town of El Paso Out to the badlands of New Mexico

Back in El Paso my life would be worthless Everything's gone in life, nothing is left It's been so long since I've seen the young maiden My love is stronger than my fear of death

I saddled up and away I did go Riding alone in the dark Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me Tonight nothing's worse than this pain in my heart

And at last, here I am on the hill, overlooking El Paso I can see Rosa's cantina below My love is strong and it pushes me onward Down off the hill to Felina I go

Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys Off to my left ride a dozen or more Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me I have to make it to Rosa's back door

Something is dreadfully wrong, for I feel A deep burning pain in my side Though I am trying to stay in the saddle I'm getting weary, unable to ride

But my love for Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallen Though I am weary, I can't stop to rest I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle I feel the bullet go deep in my chest

From out of nowhere Felina has found me Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for One little kiss and Felina, goodbye

Songwriter: Marty Robbins. For non-commercial use only.

[DoughtyOne]

We’re just peons to them.

At will...

The natives are getting restless.

That kid that ran over a mother and her child learned the
hard way.