Teen pulling prank killed by neighbor

The Palm Beach Post ^ | Sunday, October 26 | Sarah Eisenhauer and Cynthia Kopkowski

[Shooter 2.5]

this was no high-powered gun.

Quote from the article: "the teenager was 6-feet-2 and 210 pounds. "So he's a big 16-year-old.""

Judging from his size, it still could have been a major caliber.

[Frunabulax]

I agree. Kids will be kids, but what kind of dumba$$ would open the door to a suspected burgler? No excuse.

He wasn't expecting a burgler. According to the story, he was awakened in the middle of the night, answered the door, and saw someone standing there holding a weapon. Maybe his mind was playing tricks on him; maybe he's an a$$hole who deliberately shot someone in the back; maybe the little tyke was holding a weapon. Who knows?

[Woahhs]

If they were playing ring the bell and run, why was the kid still there when the owner got to the door?

[Mulder]

He deserves at least a manslaughter charge.

I think there is a lot more to this story than is contained in the newspaper article.

If the homeowner's actions were as bad as the paper and some posters here make them out to be, the police would have arrested him already. Especially, since it happened in Palm Beach, which is one of the most liberal parts of the state.

I would guess that either the homeowner did an excellent job of convincing the police that the perp did something to cause him to fear for his life, or was committing a forcible felony. Or that the police had many run-ins with the "good kid", and knew that he was trouble. Or both.

[Lijahsbubbe]

I know I certainly would not. I'm just not that scared I guess.

Exactly. And if I was that scared, I would not open the door, and I would not open the door at that time of nite.

[Squantos]

What town is it that you can feel safe answering your door after midnight to unexpected/uninvited /unknown callers.....? I'd like to know if ya care to share that information. Seems you have found utopia.

Stay Safe !

[longtermmemmory]

that is a different issue.

I am only pointing out that in the FL CCW class "making a statement" is part of the class. It should be noted that no CCW class is required in your own home. No statement is required for any procedure IN YOUR OWN HOME.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

I guess you missed the point I was making by my hypothetical examples. There are perfectly good reasons why people would knock on your door late at night and very good reasons why you would appreciate that they did. An adult with a loaded firearm is expected by most people to be responsible enough to make an effort to determine the nature of the knock before summarily blasting away.

[Woahhs]

Also what kind of burglar knocks or rings the bell?

The "front man" for a home invasion team...

[Flyer]

What town is it that you can feel safe answering your door after midnight

I am even more cautious (re: #27) in rural areas. They least expect people to be at their door at odd hours.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Anyone else find it odd that a high school is named after Pope John Paul II?

Well it is a private Catholic school so that can't be why you're asking. Is it because he's still alive? If so we have a HS named after Bush (41), Gov. Clements, and an elem. named after a living former school board member.

[FITZ]

I would actually feel safe --- because I can tell by the way my dogs are barking and acting if someone is a threat. I leave 3 big dogs out at night, if they weren't barking or in sight, then I'd know something was very wrong.

[gitmo]

"Best to leave this one up to people with all of the facts."

Like the shot in the back?

The sheriff's office would not release the name of the teenager who was with Drewes Saturday morning. Nor would it confirm the family's assertion that morgue officials told them Saturday afternoon that Drewes was shot in the back.

[budwiesest]

Ok, that does it. I'm buying new glasses.

[Badray]

Sure is, and it's even more appropriate now with home invasion robberies. And for someone my size, it's hard not to look threatening. LOL

[sinkspur]

If the homeowner's actions were as bad as the paper and some posters here make them out to be, the police would have arrested him already.

I don't think the paper necessarily put the homeowner in a bad light. People are naturally fearful of knocks on the door in the middle of the night, and I would wager that most everyone sympathizes, emotionally, with the guy.

But, as a concealed-carry license holder who practices regularly, I know that I must actually be in fear for my life and external circumstances must put me in fear for my life before I use a weapon.

I'm afraid this guy was spooked, but the DA will have to submit the facts to a grand jury to get a judgment. Arresting him or not arresting him at this point may mean that the police don't want to prejudge.

Even in Texas, this situation would likely result in a charge, especially if he shot this kid in the back.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

I was responding to another about the concept of always answering the door (night or day) carrying a firearm, Actually, I can turn on lights and view anyone standing at my door in this kind of late-night scenario.

I also have yelled through the door, at another place I lived, as to the nature of a late-night visitor's knock on the door. I did that before opening the door.

To answer specifically: yes, I have found Utopia.

I do not want to be responsible for the death of someone's son. I lost a son via accident and a parent can never outlive the nightmare of it. I know I am unique but I would prefer to be shot dead by a minor child rather than to render the pain of his death upon a parent.

I do strongly support the right of self-defense and am well-equipped to defend myself, VERY RELUCTANTLY, if forced to- in a responsible and reasonable way.

[Shooter 2.5]

His advice is even more suspect than what I said.

Ayoob says on page 32 of "In the Gravest Extreme" not to impersonate a police officer.

He advises for the citizen to yell out "Police, Hold it[or stop it]. The citizen is supposed to explain that he was yelling FOR the police during that sentence and not identifying themselves as an officer.

Whatever.

[Squantos]

Ditto.........I have 4 rottweilers. 2 stay inside and 2 outside after visiting hours at Squantos's Casa'tastrophy are over......if someone even gets to my front door then things are real wrong from the gitgo. Anyone in this day and age that has not the means and mindset to use it properly to protect themselves and their loved ones is just a victim waiting their turn to suffer at the hand of a criminal element in this country that continues to gain sympathy and support from a society gone mad.

Stay Safe, Stay Aware and Armed. You tag line says it all.....:o)

[Squantos]

Ping to my # 199......deadly force is indeed a last resort. Always should be but doesn't preclude the need to have the means and ability to use it 24/7.

....Stay Safe