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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

Posted on 01/19/2023 3:25:44 PM PST by 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.

(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Front Page News; US: Missouri
KEYWORDS: banglist; crime; getoffmylawn; missouri
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To: grundle

The left is actively encouraging crime so that the normal people will react and then they will take their guns and put them in jail. While the criminal is not prosecuted.


41 posted on 01/19/2023 4:12:59 PM PST by I want the USA back (News media are pond scum. My pronouns: Haha, heehee, hoho. )
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To: Vigilanteman

Missouri law under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 563.031 provides that if you reasonably believe that deadly force is necessary to protect yourself or another against death, serious physical injury, or any forcible felony, you’re justified in doing so from certain occupied locations.

These locations are defined as your residence or dwelling, your lawfully occupied vehicle, private property you own or lease, and property you have permission to occupy. Further, the same applies if someone is unlawfully entering, remaining after unlawfully entering, or attempting to unlawfully enter your residence, dwelling, your lawfully occupied vehicle, private property you own or lease, and property you have permission to occupy.
https://www.uslawshield.com/castle-doctrine-in-missouri/


42 posted on 01/19/2023 4:16:24 PM PST by MCF (If my home can't be my Castle, then it will be my Alamo)
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To: grundle

This may come as a major surprise to Freepers, but the State of Washington gives private citizens much greater authority to use deadly force when attempting to arrest someone who is in the process of committing a felony. Just make sure you yell out that they are under arrest and that you will shoot if they continue trying to escape. In fact the Washington RCWs specifically state that private citizens have broader authority to use deadly force than law enforcement officers. That’s a fact.


43 posted on 01/19/2023 4:19:46 PM PST by WASCWatch ( WASC)
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To: grundle
It says the perp was trying to steal Kress' car. Kress fired once and the perp fled. Kress chased him and shot him three times.

No state in America allows to chase a suspect and shoot him.

44 posted on 01/19/2023 4:24:59 PM PST by LouAvul (Daniel 4:17: "..the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.." )
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To: Vigilanteman

Agree. That’s why horse rustlers were shot. Cause a man’s horse was his lifeline. Without his horse the man and family could die.


45 posted on 01/19/2023 4:26:49 PM PST by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find.)
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To: ConservativeInPA

Stealing his car 300 to 400 miles away from where he lived is life threatening in my book. He could not easily walk home.


46 posted on 01/19/2023 4:27:53 PM PST by Fai Mao (Stop feeding the beast, and steal its food!)
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To: EEGator

Ken McElroy.

I have a neighbor who knew him and thinks he figured out who finished his ass off...finally.


47 posted on 01/19/2023 4:33:12 PM PST by crz
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To: LouAvul

Victim got spooked. If sometimes tries to brazenly steal a person’s car...and is chased away...they might come back with better weapons or more accomplices that they are possibly running away to get. The adrenalin kicked in with the victim and put him in fight mode. The direct attempt to steal a car from the owner is enough to make the victim fear for their life. The perp is NOT a suspect to the victim. He is an active criminal.


48 posted on 01/19/2023 4:36:04 PM PST by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find.)
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To: crz

Did he deserve it?


49 posted on 01/19/2023 4:39:29 PM PST by EEGator
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To: ConservativeInPA

Exactly.


50 posted on 01/19/2023 4:40:08 PM PST by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
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To: TomGuy
Maybe Kress was trying to shoot the perp in the leg, but kept missing; thus, trying again and again.

I am sure you are right 👍🤗🤗🤗

51 posted on 01/19/2023 4:42:04 PM PST by Mark17 (Retired USAF air traffic controller. Father of USAF pilot. USAF aviation runs in the family )
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To: grundle

Anarcho-tyranny is the dehumanizing state of affairs whereby the state refuses to prosecute violent crime, yet vigorously enforces the law against the victims of the violent criminals they love so much.


52 posted on 01/19/2023 4:47:34 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (The worst thing about censorship is ████ █ ██████ ███████ ███ ██████ ██ ████████. FJB.)
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To: Peter ODonnell
Sheet....I trust myself to take care of myself...Maybe that's not how you do it...I don't need a go-fund-me,,,account.

I can take damn good care of myself and my family,,,

And I am damn sure not shooting my tires out......

YOU need to WAKE the F up.............

53 posted on 01/19/2023 4:50:56 PM PST by Osage Orange
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To: grundle

Jesse won’t be stealing anymore cars in the future!


54 posted on 01/19/2023 4:51:42 PM PST by Tom Tetroxide
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To: grundle

As law enforcement declines in effectiveness, the American public will tend more and more to take law and punishment into their own hands. As in the Third World, on the spot street beatings and executions of thieves, drug dealers, and other criminals will increase and become accepted. Wise prosecutors may come to look the other way.


55 posted on 01/19/2023 4:52:43 PM PST by Rockingham
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To: Does so

Whether by design or intent or stupidity, the result is still the same. These are destabilizing agents. The cops aren’t allowed to do their jobs, and when they are the thugs are back out on the street due to corrupt DA and judges. The political establishment at the local level will throw the cops under the bus at the earliest press conference if they deem it expedient. The the wimpy governor gives a dissembling, inflammatory load of bs word salad, and so any eligible cop puts in for retirement and there is no recruitment, because you’d have to be crazy to join. The cops on the job become “Tourists in Blue”. Can’t say as I blame ‘em.

California law breakers used to get from 1 to 10 at the Q for car theft. I learned that on Dragnet. What is the penalty of car theft in California now?

So yeah, history is very clear on this. So-called “Vigilante” action or “Citizen’s Committee” is the norm for most of history. Dedicated law enforcement, a paid cadre of duly sworn officers, all that stuff is basically brand new in terms of human history.

Crime will actually go way, way, WAY down once the cops are out of the way. Why? Because every offense is a Capital Offense when the rule of law breaks down. It is remarkable how stupid some people are, that should know better. They don’t know history, that much is certain.


56 posted on 01/19/2023 4:53:19 PM PST by Freedom4US
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To: grundle

I don’t know about Missouri, but in Illinois, he’s toast.


57 posted on 01/19/2023 4:57:21 PM PST by telescope115 (Proud member of the ANTIFAuci movement. )
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To: TheWriterTX

This has been the understood law in Missouri forever. You can protect yourself, you can confront the thief with deadly force displayed, but if you are not attacked for the thief to get to your belongings (the car) or yourself and your weapon, you can’t chase him down and maim or kill him in retribution for the attempted theft. I think the same holds in Texas if the thief is trying to flee a house.

Bullets in the back always appear as bad form.


58 posted on 01/19/2023 5:02:12 PM PST by KC Burke
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To: rod5591

I would love to be on that jury….NOT GUILTY!


59 posted on 01/19/2023 5:04:21 PM PST by TonyM (Score Event)
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To: Osage Orange
It does not matter what he was trying to steal. If the suspect ceased the attempted theft and was fleeing, you cannot shoot.

What's your time limit for shooting at someone who tried and failed to steal your property? Ten seconds? Ten minutes? What if the thief got away and you saw him the next day? Would you shoot him then?

I certainly don't shed a tear for the dead criminal, but if the facts are what this article say they are, this is murder.

60 posted on 01/19/2023 5:07:11 PM PST by thefactor
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