Pickup's owner kills suspected burglar

Houston Chronicle ^

[tarawa]

Pickup's owner kills suspected burglar

By S.K. BARDWELL

Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle

Evidence in the fatal shooting of a burglary suspect by a northeast Houston man early today will be referred to a grand jury without charges, police said.

Juan Fernando Flores, 30, of the 300 block of Vincent, died from a gunshot wound to the head after a homeowner in the 200 block of Kelley opened fire on two men he caught taking tools from his pickup truck about 1 a.m., police said.

The two men fled in a car after the shooting, but police said the car crashed and began to burn a few blocks away in the 5400 block of Fulton.

A passerby pulled Flores from the driver's seat of the burning car, and told police a second man in the car fled on foot. Flores, who suffered at least one gunshot wound to the head, was dead. Police were unsure whether his passenger was wounded.

In the car Flores had been driving, police said they found a variety of tools, some of which were identified as belonging to the resident in the 200 block of Kelley.

Police ask that anyone with information about the second suspect contact them at 713-308-3600, or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

[tm61]

lets see, two guys jump in a car, which one should drive A) the live one B) the guy with the hole in his head. hmmmm, let me think about this one. seriously though: nice shot.

[rovenstinez]

So,, Mr. Flores will NOT be robbing any more pickup trucks as he is now dead. One less criminal in Houston to have to track. ...No State paid trials to defend Mr. Flores, and the moral of this news item, don't steal in Houston with an armed home owner.

[FITZ]

I'm very glad to hear there is one less car thief. We had a man killed for his pickup truck by a 13 year old illegal who can't be punished for murder because of his age. The carjackers have kidnapped kids and it's about time people fight back.

[Dimensio]

So,, Mr. Flores will NOT be robbing any more pickup trucks as he is now dead. One less criminal in Houston to have to track. ...No State paid trials to defend Mr. Flores, and the moral of this news item, don't steal in Houston with an armed home owner.

And fortunately, since this is Texas, it is unlikely that the shooter will be treated worse than the criminal he (or she) killed.

[BushMeister]

The shooter in this case is probably in big trouble. I don't think you're allowed to shoot anyone unless they're attempting to enter your home or are about to do you bodily harm.

However, if the dead jackass is an illegal, I think lesser (if any) penalties should apply. If you're here illegally (an invader) you can't have protection of US law as a citizen, resident alien or legal visitor does.

[tarawa]

Actually, TX tends to be a bit more lenient about this sort of thing. After dark, if you are on someone's property without their permission, you are fair game. The law also allows you to defend your property, not just your person.

[moyden]

Good thing he shot a burglar in Texas.

[2nd_Amendment_Defender]

So, Mr. Flores will NOT be robbing any more pickup trucks as he is now dead. One less criminal in Houston to have to track. ...No State paid trials to defend Mr. Flores, and the moral of this news item, don't steal in Houston with an armed home owner.

If this incident would have happened in California the shooter would be behind bars longer than a rapist. I am so glad I left California. Utah is a much nicer state.