Firefighter Shoots at Cyclist, Hits His Helmet, For Biking With Child

[tekisui]

Firefighter accused in shooting released from jail

Asheville Citizen-Times

ASHEVILLE — A firefighter accused of shooting at a bicyclist was released from jail today after a judge reduced his bond.

Charles Alexander Diez, 42, apparently fired at the Asheville man after arguing with him about riding his bike on Tunnel Road Sunday morning with his 3-year-old child in a bike seat behind him, police have said.

The bullet blew a hole through the outer lining of the bicyclist's helmet and went straight through both sides of it, but he was not hit.

Police charged Diez with attempted first-degree murder and his bond was set at $500,000. A judge reduced his bond to $200,000, which he posted and was released from the Buncombe County Detention Center about 5 p.m.

Diez has been employed by the Asheville Fire Department since February 1992, according to interim Chief Scott Burnette. Diez has been placed on paid leave during the investigation, Burnette said.

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090728/NEWS01/90728085

[Lisa0825]

1. He should be charged with TWO counts if the guy had the kid on the bike

when he took the shot! What an asshole!

[Bitter_Clinger]

4. I was pulled from my SUV...

by a guy with a gun. My wife was in the passenger seat, my daughter was in the back. My Colt M1911 was on my hip.

[Lisa0825]

5. I'm not sure what your point is...

Were you able to defend yourself? Sounds like this particular shooter tried to pick off a defenseless cyclist.

[Bitter_Clinger]

12. Most thugs pick...

on the defenseless. That is not what they always get. At least not in Texas. I was able to defend myself. I tried my best to not saddle anyone with big medical bills, but this guy took a .45 round to the head and lived. Not that I would call blind, drooling and spastic shitting on yourself living. I guess he was a bit hardier than most.

[JTFrog]

14. You obviously didn't even read the article, but you did reveal alot.

"The bullet blew a hole through the outer lining of the bicyclist's helmet and went straight through both sides of it, but he was not hit."

I realize reading and spelling is hard on you guys, but you could at least get to the middle of the OP before blowing your wad.

[Bitter_Clinger]

15. That was...

a right talented piece gunhandling there!

[tekisui]

8. ok.

:shrug:

[timeforpeace]

19. What precipitated this situation?

[Bitter_Clinger]

20. It was a carjacking.

I do not know if the thug's plans were to kill me or just take my vehicle. I wwas not going to wait and ask.

[teachableseconds]

2. This has already been posted and garnered many replied, FYI

UGH. Sometimes I believe in the 2012 thing because this society just seems to be coming to a head. People are going bonkers. I cannot understand why drivers get so upset at cyclists who are on the side of the road. I am a cyclist and I don't ride in the same lane as cars. But it does irritate me when parents allow their young kids to pedal in the street or sidewalk and the kids are still shaky and can easily run into other bikers.

[tekisui]

3. I missed that thread.

oopsy.

[Lisa0825]

6. I missed it too.

I'm glad I saw yours since I missed the other! :-)

[Hassin Bin Sober]

7. I had one go over his handle bars in front of my truck the other day.

He was going the wrong way on the side of the road, hit a huge pot-hole and flipped right in front of me. Fortunately, I was approaching a traffic light and was slowing down under 15 mph with my foot already on the brake.

[teachableseconds]

9. You know, drivers always get hot about cyclists on the 'wrong' side

of the street. For us bikers, it's a question of taking advantage of a chance to cross when there isn't a light nearby and we need to go down a side street. I don't see what the big deal is. Drivers should always allot space for cyclists going the RIGHT way, so who cares what I am doing? It's safer for me because I can see the oncoming traffic. The only issue is with my fellow cyclists going the RIGHT way, LOL, and I'll deal with them.

[Lisa0825]

11. I don't bike often, but when I do, I very much prefer to see what is coming at me! nt

[taterguy]

16. Let me guess, physics wasn't your favorite subject in school

[Lisa0825]

23. Good guess asshat.

I am not a cyclist. I occasionally bike to the library or store. My town has no bike lanes or sidewalks in most areas, so I like to be ready to move over onto the edge of the grass when a car is coming. Now, did being insulting make you feel somewhat important? If so, I guess it was worth it.

[TheMightyFavog]

18. Why not buy a rear view mirror?

They're widely available at bike shops and big box stores everywhere, and any idiot can install them.

[Lisa0825]

24. I don't bike much, rarely in fact.

And I imagine you're right that any idiot could do it.... even you.

[TheMightyFavog]

26. That's true. I actually have done it!

;)

[ContraBass Black]

27. I'm a cyclist, and I hate it when cyclists ride on the wrong side

Because then I have to make evasive manoeuvres or move into traffic to avoid a head-on collision.

[elocs]

10. Discussed on GD earlier with 16 Recs and 136 responses:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6163123&mesg_id=6163123

[tekisui]

13. Not sure how I missed it, but I did.

Maybe the mods will lock it as a dupe or add it to the original.

[elocs]

17. It's easy to do because things move fast. If a story is of any importance and more than an hour old

somebody, or somebodies have already jumped on it and posted it as it happened. We've all seen the same story posted 3 times and 2 of those times are at the same minute with the third only a minute later. More often you see duplicate threads on different forums such as GD, GD-P, or LBN.

[Liberal_in_LA]

21. Road rage?

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

22. I've been trying to get a couple months of paid leave for 10 years now.

I'm just not willing to shoot anyone to get it.

[Maru Kitteh]

25. If you promise not to actually hit me, I might let you shoot at me for a 10% cut.

I could use the dough.