Vigilante Gun Nut Opens Fire On Shoplifter In Home Depot Parking Lot

[Cali_Democrat]

The only thing that stops a shoplifter is a vigilante bystander with a gun. Or, at least, that’s what an unidentified woman apparently decided shortly before she opened fire on an SUV carrying a man who was fleeing the nearby Home Depot.

The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon at a Home Depot parking lot in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Store security chased the alleged shoplifter as he jumped into an SUV that was waiting to help him flee. According to the Detroit Free Press, that’s when a 48 year-old woman drew a gun and began firing shots at the vehicle.

The woman, who has a license to carry a concealed firearm, is reportedly “cooperating with police.”
If this wannabe Dirty Harry were an actual cop, she almost certainly would have violated the Constitution. Under the Supreme Court’s decision in Tennessee v. Garner, law enforcement may not use deadly force “unless it is necessary to prevent the escape and the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others.”

Based on publicly available information, there’s no indication that the fleeing man, who allegedly stole power tools and welding equipment, presented a sufficient threat to the public to justify the use of deadly force.

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http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/10/07/3710275/vigilante-gun-owner-opens-fire-on-shoplifter-in-home-depot-parking-lot/

[yeoman6987]

1. She should have shot the tires

Is ajury really going to convict this woman?

[Cali_Democrat]

2. Why does she even need to open fire?

[yeoman6987]

3. How else was the thief going to stop?

I am not saying shoot the guy but he does deserve to answer for stealing stuff from the store. We all pay more due to theft.

[Ilsa]

5. And if she had killed someine else

inside or outside the car, would you still say it's worth it?

[yeoman6987]

11. Well since it didn't happen the point is mute.

Point is are we going to continue to let thieves get away? You will see a lot of people stealing if that is the case. You want to pay an extra 10 bucks for items to replace the theft costs? Well actually we are already.

[geek tragedy]

15. yes, we as a society recognize that some shoplifters don't get caught.

we also don't allow people to murder each other over fucking merchandise

[dumbcat]

47. They do in Texas

" ... murder each other over fucking merchandise "

[geek tragedy]

63. Well, fuck Texas. nt

[daleanime]

58. Amen....

[Kingofalldems]

18. Looks like you don't agree with the Constitution.

I am shocked. Actually not really.

BTW, it's 'moot' not mute.

[irisblue]

20. Alert Results

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

This gun nut is essentially advocating shooting at alleged shoplifters. Just look at his responses in this thread. This kind of crap doesn't belong on DU.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Wed Oct 7, 2015, 05:32 PM, and the Jury voted 3-4 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: The post is inappropriate and meets the criteria for hiding it.
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I do not interpret the "offensive" post the way the alerter does.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: While I don't at all agree with this poster, they have a right to their opinion. And calling them a "gun nut" violates CS in my book.
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: The poster is an moron who doesn't seem to understand bullets are not "bad guy seeking". But the post itself is not hide-worthy.

[prayin4rain]

25. I'm assuming this is dry humor. n/t

[jberryhill]

28. It's a hazard to life, period

No, I'm not going to kill innocent bystanders for $10.

By definition, the shooter had no clear view of whatever was on the other side of that vehicle, under which her shots could easily pass and ricochet.

Anyone with a propensity to start shooting in public, when neither they nor anyone else is in any imminent danger of death or serious injury, needs to be locked up.

[TubbersUK]

29. Satire?

I sincerely hope so.

[Ilsa]

33. It's not a moot point.

Policy decisions about criminals and the pursuit thereof include facyors such as this.

She isn't trained in LE. She isn't an off-duty LE. If she had killed someone, even the thief, she'd be looking at a prison term.

Yes, I'll pay more for my goods if it means we don't kill innocent bystanders (including you) or my family. I don't believe in an instant death penalty without a trial to someone who is a thief, but not imminently dangerous. We don't put people to death for stealing.

[upaloopa]

40. Moot not mute. I make that mistake too

The woman has no right to shoot people unless they are a threat to her.

[yeoman6987]

42. Thank you

I confuse the two terms all the time. Drives mr crazy when I do that.

[kcr]

49. If we don't charge people for crimes even if they "don't happen"

You just might see a lot more crimes. Do you think people who attempt to kill someone but don't succeed should be charged, with that logic? Because I don't see how people pulling out guns and blasting away every single time they think it's prudent is a great idea.

Posting because others can also read this.

[1StrongBlackMan]

35. Or, more ...

Is death an appropriate "answer" for stealing stuff?

[Ilsa]

38. I can't think of a situation where it would be. nt

[Ilsa]

41. By yeo's philosophy, I suppose govt has no obligation

to make sure prisoners are fed or receive medical assistance when needed. It cost us money, ya know.

[yeoman6987]

43. Well no. I'd never say that but I can see with my replies

why you would think that. I am just adding to the discussion. I don't think she should have used a gun but I hate thieves so much. And I hate it more that situations like this will prompt more to try and get away with it. Already stores tell associates not to get involved in stopping a thief.

[Ilsa]

46. I've been robbed twice. I'd never shoot either thief. nt

[yeoman6987]

55. I would have a hard time doing it since I don't have a gun

Honestly getting robbed makes the abuser feel violated. That part I hate most.

[stone space]

8. My heart bleeds for you.

We all pay more due to theft.

[Cali_Democrat]

9. You know what's interesting?

She's probably looking at a heftier charge than the alleged shoplifter.

[yeoman6987]

12. Sadly you may be right

[geek tragedy]

14. so you think attempted murder is less problematic than shoplifting? nt

[yeoman6987]

16. Attempted murder on a thief?

Is that what they are going for? I doubt it.

[geek tragedy]

17. people accused of being thieves are still human beings.

so, trying to murder them is still a crime

despite what your bloodlust leads you to believe here

[JI7]

45. right wing troll

[RandiFan1290]

70. +1

You got it!

[kcr]

52. Doubt away, but they may actually charge her with that.

So, awww. Sadface.

[gollygee]

62. Yes, thieves can be murdered.

and trying to murder one would be attempted murder.

[jberryhill]

24. Sadly?

This woman endangered the lives of anyone within her vicinity.

She could have easily killed someone.

Imagine yourself and your children in that parking lot. You would be bothered by the shoplifter in that scenario?

[etherealtruth]

51. I sure hope so

[Fred Sanders]

27. So you support armed vigilantes? Although I think your comments make that clear enough!

Sentence of death first, verdict later!

[alcibiades_mystery]

39. ROFL

So ridiculous.

[Texasgal]

56. It is not her job to be

a rootin' tootin' gunslinger!

Fuck that! Let the police handle this kind of shit! She could have killed somebody or hurt an innocent bystander! GAH!

[Ilsa]

4. I would.

She could have killed him or an innocent bystander (child, perhaps). She isn't law enforcement and she had no business shooting at him.

[stone space]

6. Yes. I would.

Is ajury really going to convict this woman?

[NightWatcher]

7. She was not acting in self defense of herself or anyone else

She's lucky she didn't kill an innocent person. I'd throw the book at her and convict her ass in a heartbeat.

[geek tragedy]

13. yes, she is guilty of attempted murder and/or reckless endangerment

not to mention illegal use of a firearm.

[jeff47]

22. I sure as hell would convict.

The penalty for petty theft is not death.

No one was in imminent danger. That gives her no right to endanger everyone else in the area. Believe it or not, bullets are not "bad guy seeking" projectiles.

And if you think "shoot the tires" is a good idea, you should realize that real life is not an action movie.

[jberryhill]

23. How do you know she wasn't shooting at the tires?

The story says she fired shots "at the vehicle".

And, no, for the sake of my safety and that of my loved ones, I would certainly want to lock up anyone who thinks that opening fire in public at a moving vehicle to "shoot the tires" of a shoplifter is a good idea.

Are you serious?

If you were a bystander while Annie Oakley, or some random person of unknown marksmanship, started firing away at something in a parking lot, are you going to seriously maintain that you wouldn't be much more concerned about the MORON SHOOTING A GUN or some other moron who has stolen some stuff from a store?

No, I would not in a thousand years say, "Oh, yes, please, put me in mortal peril because someone stole something."

[LonePirate]

26. I would definitely vote to convict. She endangered people's lives with her vigilante tactics.

[arcane1]

30. I would n/t

[Fred Sanders]

31. You forgot the sarcasm emoticon?!

[sarisataka]

32. If charged,

And she should be, yes.

[NightWatcher]

34. You should never shoot the tires. It's Hollywood BS that doesn't work.

Should there be a life and death emergency and you have to try to stop a vehicle with a gun, for which shoplifting does not meet this threshold, you should shoot at the engine block if the vehicle is coming towards you or shoot into the driver's face. Shooting the engine block is an attempt to put a hole in the radiator so the vehicle will overheat shortly and breakdown. If the vehicle passes you, you can attempt to shoot out a window, which makes the vehicle easier for police to find.

[etherealtruth]

37. Seriously, shoot a gun across a crowded retail parking lot?

oh dear God.

yes a jury will convict her

[daleanime]

57. ........

[jack_krass]

59. Disagree

A stolen can of paint doesn't warrant this... Anytime lead flies in an uncontained environment there's a chance of accidentally hurting or killing someone. Leave it in the holster unless someone's life is at stake.

[Egnever]

60. Holy shit

Wtf shoot the tires?

Time to stop sucking on the TV tit.

Should have shot the tires wtf. Should have left the damn gun at home and should never be allowed to carry one again.

[Logical]

65. Lol, you watch and believe too much TV. Nt

[Chuuku Davis]

10. Bad shoot

She will be proseuted

[countingbluecars]

19. And hopefully lose

her right to own a gun.

[PowerToThePeople]

50. And lose her right to be outside a prison cell.

eom

[cherokeeprogressive]

36. Should be a reason to revoke her carry privileges and let her stew in a cell for a few days.

After removing any guns from her possession.

[Waldorf]

44. Pretty sure she is going to be in some big trouble and be charged with a crime, like attempted

murder. Pretty sure the guy who taught my CC class would say the same thing.

[workinclasszero]

48. Open fire on an alleged shoplifter

in a public parking lot probably filled with people and families and babies and old folk..

What could possibly go wrong??

Its the NRA's dream come true, good gal with a gun!

Just watch out for the crossfire next time you go shopping yall!

[dem in texas]

53. Same type thing happened in Houston a few weeks back but with a different outcome

A male bystander saw two men trying to rob a man who was pumping gas at a gas station. The bystander pulled out his gun and started shooting at the 2 robbers, He was a bad shot and hit the man who was being robbed. The bystander shooter, realizing he'd made a big boo-boo, got out of his car, picked up the used gun casings , got back and his car and drove off. Haven't heard more about this, don't know if the shooter was caught or if the man who was shot in the head survived.

[Major Nikon]

66. Who would have thunk nuts carrying precious around everywhere was a bad idea?

[Ichigo Kurosaki]

54. She should

at bare minimum be charged with discharging a firearm in the city, reckless endangerment and have her CCL permit revoked.
Hopefully she will get hit with worse than that.

I believe in the 2nd A, but what she did is against the law and involved a lot of stupidity.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

61. Undoubtedly, she was fearing for her life from a crazed shoplifter(???).

It's a good thing she was similarly threatened by a maddened driver driving too slow.

[pinboy3niner]

64. It's a good thing she wasn't assaulted by the sound of a kid crying in a restaurant

[spanone]

67. who made her the judge, jury and executioner?

[MrScorpio]

68. This state has no death penalty…

That even goes for shoplifters.

[flamingdem]

69. An example needs to be made

and this citizen with a gun needs to do some time! A looong time in the tank.

[B Calm]

71. Hopefully a judge will order her to go for mental health and take her guns away

before she kills someone.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

72. UPDATE: It was actually just George Zimmerman wearing a woman's wig and talking in a falsetto voice.

Georgina Zimmerman.

[Orrex]

73. The most important thing is that the gun wasn't harmed.

[Oilwellian]

74. I saw this insightful post on Reddit

I like to go there and see what the younger generations think and they're discussing this story as well. One of the commenters posted what I thought was a very insightful look at the shoot 'em up culture that's been nurtured for the past few decades by gun publications.

I grew up reading "Guns & Ammo" and shit like that since a relative of mine had a subscription and they were always laying around.

For years and years they had this feature column where people could write in letters to the editor about how they scared off some punk with their gun or they shot at thief or a mugger or whatever. Any story where someone's gun use saved the day.

And they'd put your picture in the column and then edit in commentary from the editors and say stuff about how brave you were and how good all your decisions were and stuff.

That told me everything I needed to know about the subject right there, that one of the quintessential gun periodicals dedicates a monthly feature to providing fame to anyone who tells a story about using their gun.

It was clear from that feature that large numbers of the community are reading these stories to experience vicarious heroism (yeah I'd have done the same!) and promoting a culture of vigilantism.

I can't speak for those types of publications recently, but at least for decades in the '70s and '80s that's what they were pushing: "Use your gun, be a big hero, then write to us and we'll put you in the magazine."

This is at a time when the Dirty Harry .44 one of the top selling guns and every redneck in the country has a giant hard-on for teaching "punks" a lesson with big guns.

https://www.reddit.com/r/news/comments/3nui7z/bystander_with_concealedcarry_license_opens_fire/