Posted on 10/26/2003 4:41:29 AM PST by lifacs
Isn't it interesting that the reporters felt the need to publish the property value of the house? What sort of class hatred are they trying to stir up?
Admittedly, the homeowner shouldn't be shooting someone without clear sight of the person but just WHAT was the kid still doing at the door.
Most of the time, at 12:30 at night, it will take a couple of minutes to answer the door. That gives the kids plenty of time to scoot and get gone.
There are things here that are not being told on one side or the other, or both sides, that would play into this case.
Either they were incredibly inept at "ding-dong-ditch", or they were incredibly inept at "home invasion and burglarly".
Judging from the reaction of those who claimed to know him, I'm inclined to beleive the latter. Note that his "friends" here placed no responsibility with the perp, and totally blamed the homeowner (at least in the posts I've read). Also, they have made references to how popular and well-liked he was, which is irrelevant to the events of that night. Furthermore, they have made personal insults at those who disagreed with them. All this leads me to believe that you have a bunch of kids who think that society owes them something and that they can get away with anything.
However this situation turns out, Darwin appears to be the clear winner.
I wonder how the school and students would be reacting if this were one of the school's unloved, unpopular students.
Those are two of my favorite rounds also. I've used the Winchester HPs also. It all comes down to personal choice. I'm of the belief that shot placement and caliber are 95% of the game. Whether or not you use FMJ or JHP is the other 4.9%, and what brand of JHP is about 0.1%. From what I've read, they all work about the same if the shooter does his/her part.
Anyway, you're bound to find at least one LE organization which uses the brand of defensive ammo that you use. So it's really a non-issue.
Preparing to survive and during a shooting, the least of your problem is worrying about what a jury will do.
Exactly. Situational awareness and threat avoidance is much more important than what ammo or what gun you're carrying. And if that doesn't work, then it comes down to weapon reliability, caliber, and shooter skill.
No, he wasn't. Nobody answers the door for burglers. He probably thought that somebody needed help.
Unless there was a premeditated motivation to do so, say... it was the fifth time he had been awakened that night and now he was going to do something about it. No excuse there.
He should go to jail if that's what happened, but there's no hint of that in the story.
Mabey there is some other reason to answer the door with a gun in your hand?
Yes, there is. Some people always have their guns handy when they answer the door late at night as a safety precaution. None of them ever really expects to have to use it, but it makes them feel safe.
Do you really think the cops would have let him walk if he was obviously drunk or on drugs when he shot the kid?
Hey, I kinda like the picture the guy with Colt Official Police and Elvis sideburns.
You have to hide nearby so that you can witness the bewildered or enraged antics of your victims. The trick is to make sure that they can't see YOU! That's where the failure occurred here.
Admittedly, the homeowner shouldn't be shooting someone without clear sight of the person but just WHAT was the kid still doing at the door.
He was probably in the shadows trying to stop himself from snickering. Criminals try to hide themselves, too, and they might not hold their fire long enough for you to be 100% sure they're not going to kill you.
Most of the time, at 12:30 at night, it will take a couple of minutes to answer the door. That gives the kids plenty of time to scoot and get gone.
Yes, you'd think he could have found a better hiding place.
As has already been covered, antagonizing people at midnight on purpose is a hazardous endeavour, best avoided.
While the homeowner may be legally vindicated, killing someone who never intended you harm will be devastating psychologically - assuming reports of the victims "innocent prank" are accurate.
""What is so important that you are defending that you need a gun?" said Quiroga"
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This lady is a fine Sheeple specimen.
"The 16 year old should not have been out wandering the streets at 1230 am. "
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
WOW!! And death is his penalty?!?!?
Stupidity is always a crime. The penalty is death.
The Universe does not exact the penalty in every instance. That's not a reason to roll the dice.
Well, I'll tell you from what seems like the "home invasion" capital of the world -- Eastside San Jose, I would have thought 'home invasion'.
That's actually not true, but it sure 'seems' like it from the newspaper reports I've read here in the last 5 years.
My first impulse would be to suspect a 'home invasion' type of effort assuming no one could be seen thru the peephole. I also live alone & have 'kicked myself' for answering the door late at night without checking first, but having been married, I've had a sense of security that actually isn't warranted, but is there none-the-less.
Getting a homeowner to step outside of the front door would seem like a common home invasion ploy, especially if played in the wee hours when the resident could be still half-asleep, like I usual have been when I answered the door.
I have to admit that pulling the trigger is another issue, but again it depends on threats, both real & perceived, that were received prior to this event.
Here, I think they were both at fault; however, the kid was the aggressor, Levin was in his own home minding his own business. Ultimately I agree with you: the kid should not have been out after midnight annoying people--you never know what frightened people will do to protect themselves.
Of course we need more facts, but I think the guy doesn't do time based on what I've read so far.
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