Would-Be Robber Shot Dead At Mesquite Party

[aaangel]

don't know if this one is here already. but yet another CHL holder shoots a would be robber. SURPRISE! I have one also. (edited for SIA)

http://cbs11tv.com/local/mesquite.party ... 52686.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[suthdj]

CBS 11 employee Jerome Johnson, fired in self-defense

Gotta love the spin on that one. Like who his employer is adds any relevance to the facts of the story.

[jester]

Was it an illegal gambling den?

Lt. Bill Hedgpeth says the gunman went to the apartment and wanted to join the game. But soon after, he pulled a gun and demanded money from the players.

Police have not yet identified the gunman, but say the poker players did not know him.

[baldeagle]

I wonder what was going through Johnson's mind? Did he hesitate because he was afraid of being charged with a crime? Or did he think the situation would de-escalate somehow and deadly force would not be required? Had he pulled his gun immediately and shot the BG, his friend might still be alive. This makes me think that when you're confronted with an armed BG you should not hesitate in the hope that things will somehow work out. Thoughts?

[VoiceofReason]

I wonder what was going through Johnson's mind? Did he hesitate because he was afraid of being charged with a crime? Or did he think the situation would de-escalate somehow and deadly force would not be required? Had he pulled his gun immediately and shot the BG, his friend might still be alive. This makes me think that when you're confronted with an armed BG you should not hesitate in the hope that things will somehow work out. Thoughts?

I agree.
If a man ever points a gun at me, he had better use it, otherwise he will never point it at any one else.
Johnson acted a little too late for his friend but he did save the taxpayers money to prosecute the scum bag.

[Beiruty]

Maybe, the CHLer was having some booze and slow to react, maybe he did not want to IDed as drunk, gambler..., maybe just maybe.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

The way the article reads, the friend jumped on the intruder and struggled to get the gun. Perhaps Johnson did not have a chance between when the intruder whipped it out and his friend got involved. Better, in my opinion, to have a clear shot on the BG, than shoot your friend in the struggle. I would rather live with the regret of loosing a friend, than the regret of killing a friend.

[baldeagle]

Hedgpeth says when the gunman drew his pistol, the man who lived in the apartment charged him. Shots were fired, and 35-year-old Tracy Moore was struck and killed.

After re-reading this, I'm not even sure that the guy who charged the BG is the one who was shot. It's oddly worded. I would have expected it to read "charged him and was shot and killed".

[5thGenTexan]

I wonder what was going through Johnson's mind? Did he hesitate because he was afraid of being charged with a crime? Or did he think the situation would de-escalate somehow and deadly force would not be required? Had he pulled his gun immediately and shot the BG, his friend might still be alive. This makes me think that when you're confronted with an armed BG you should not hesitate in the hope that things will somehow work out. Thoughts?

First there is no way to know the timing or layout of the apartment so it's hard to second guess if the good guy could have drawn earlier. If the gun was out and covering him until the resident come back into the room drawing the bad guys attention, it can be difficult to draw from IWB sitting with a gun leveled at you already.

[rdcrags]

Like many of you have said you do, I run through my mind at times what I would do in certain situations where people are being shot. React immediately? Wait for a chance to use surprise to avoid "collateral damage"? Wait to be sure you know for sure the BG's are not undercover good guys? Wait until the BG's are positioned where I can establish a line of fire that can avoid collateral damage? If I wait, will a couple of unarmed guys rush the armed BG and get shot? I know I am capable of shooting in self defense if necessary. When things are developing in an imaginary scenario, the right time to react is often unclear. Comments on similar thoughts?

TX CHL 1007
CO CHP 2005

[surprise_i'm_armed]

don't know if this one is here already. but yet another CHL holder shoots a would be robber. SURPRISE!!!! i'm armed.
http://cbs11tv.com/local/mesquite.party ... 52686.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My attorney will be contacting your attorney about the use of this phrase. :-)

SIA

[canvasbck]

Was it an illegal gambling den?

Those of us who have attended one of these prefer the term underground poker room.

I too am wondering if this was an illegal game. If it was, doesn't the GG now have a problem since the handgun was used during the commission of another crime? Even though placing of bets is a class C misdemeanor, the only exception to using a gun while engaged in the commission of a crime would be class c misdemeanors that are traffic control laws.

[92f-fan]

AFAIK
unless the house was taking a cut it may have been legal

[Carry-a-Kimber]

AFAIK
unless the house was taking a cut it may have been legal

The crime is taking a rake from the winnings, not playing poker. There are a few places around here that run poker games several nights a week and either charge a cover, or membership fees. This is their way of skirting the law, don't know if there are all on the up and up, but the theory is if they don't make money from the actual wagers, they aren't profitting from the gambling itself. Heck, there is a place I know of that has scannable membership cards used to access the building, catering, and security gaurds.

[G.A. Heath]

Actually mentioning that they (Channel 11) are his employer serves two purposes. First it says: "We are reporting all the facts, including that we may be biased because he works with us." and secondly it says "Don't try this at Channel 11."