Probably more like:
Posted on 11/28/2013 5:45:24 AM PST by Uncle Chip
after ringing his doorbell when he became lost and confused after wandering off in the middle of the night
A 72-year-old man with advanced Alzheimer's has been shot dead by a homeowner after he rang the bell at the stranger's house when he became lost and confused in the middle of the night.
Ronald Westbrook rang the doorbell of a home at 4am on Wednesday after wandering around in the dark for almost four hours in rural Walker County, Georgia. He had walked around three miles from his home by the time he approached the door.
The shooter was identified as Joe Hendrix, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, according to Sheriff Steve Wilson said.
Mr Westbrook rang the door bell and turned the door handle of the home in the new development where Hendrix had just moved in with his fiancée. The woman, who has not been identified, called 911 and was on the phone with a dispatcher when Hendrix confronted the elderly man in the yard with a 40-caliber handgun.
Mr Westbrook, an Air Force veteran, did not respond to the commands that Hendrix issued to him because Alzheimer's Disease has left the72-year-old practically mute.
Hendrix fired four shots with one bullet striking Mr Westbrook in the chest and killing him. The victim's body was removed from the scene at 10.30am on Wednesday.
It is unlikely that Hendrix will be charged with any crime, according to The Chattanoogan.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Probably more like:
I am as pro gun and pro self defense as the next guy but I am also pro common sense. The guy was 72 for cripes sake.
I’ve seen at least one person use the argument that because the shooter didn’t know the age of the victim, it was okay to shoot him and claim self defense against a victim who was clearly no threat, because it could just as easily have turned out to be someone from a high crime segment of society. There’s no way the old man could have posed a threat in his condition, nor even presented the appearance of a threat. It doesn’t matter if the shooter knew his age or medical condition. What matters is that he had no fear for his life or safety. Being afraid of his own shadow doesn’t count.
What does his status as an Air Force vet have to do with anything in this story?
I imagine the guy got belligerent and could not respond. This is pretty common. If you are woken from a sound sleep, and have never been around an Alzheimer’s patient before it’s a reasonable mistake.
It’s a horrible shame for all involved.
That is a great idea. I’ve been through this with three relatives. They are sneaky. I had an aunt who would get all dressed up on the weekends and sit in the lobby of the nursing home. Then when a group of visitors would leave from visiting their relatives, she would try to mix in with the group and sneak through the doors.
She never made it off the floor...but others snuck out all of the time. I would have chipped her in a second.
I can see how this could happen. I have a neighbor who has advanced Alzheimers. He is mute, still strong as an ox and wanders off. He has a crazed look in his eyes and grabs people firmly when he wants something. Occasionally, he will grab so hard he leave bruises.
People in the neighborhood know him and understand how to get him home. A new resident might see him as on drugs or trying to attack him.
It’s another sad part of a terrible disease.
>> Many here on FR would disagree - they think any shoot is a good one, even the cop who riddled the kid with the toy gun.
“Many” as in more than one?
It’s my recollection the vast majority of FReepers correctly condemned the shooting of the young boy with the toy gun.
Only 1 of 4 shots hit the victim. Seems like a nervous homeowner with bad judgement and aim.
Tragedy. Not murder.
Yeh but Alzheimer's parients usually only get belligerent if you try to force them to do something they don't want to do -- like take a shower, eat their meal, take their medicinne, sit still, go to bed, or when they want to go for a walk at midnight in the rain and cold and snow without any clothes on.
Maybe the shooter wants to become a cop.
Wow - did it ever occur to you that I might be speaking of them? At any rate - I now know I wouldn't want you at my back with a weapon - way too volatile...
I've had "conversations" with several who seem to think that anything that causes a modicum of discomfort is ample reason to shoot to kill.
Perhaps the word "many" was not fully appropriate - "handful" would have been more accurate. Surprisingly, that handful probably think they have the true conservative views - I consider them unbalanced.
If nothing else, it did generate a new wave of opinion pieces - some more level-headed (as yours) and a few went over the top. Made for some interesting reading.
Be safe and have a great FR day.
But, if you have been around them you could recognize the signs. This young guy had no clue what was going on.
If that is the case then this clueless young guy should not have taken any action.
Alzheimer’s patients are not usually calm, collective or polite.
No argument from me there.
I cannot imagine shooting someone outside of my home in a situation like this.
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