No charges in fatal weekend shooting in North Omaha

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Authorities said no charges will be filed in the shooting death of a 37-year-old man in North Omaha over the weekend.

Brandon Jones, 37, was killed and four others were injured in a shooting reported near 24th and Binney streets around 3 a.m. Sunday.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine told First Alert 6 on Wednesday that no charges have been filed in Jones’ death, saying shots had been fired at him in self-defense.

“The people that fired at him were justified in doing what they did — obviously he wasn’t justified in coming in with a gun and firing at people inside,” Kleine said.

Prosecutors shared details about the case with First Alert 6 on Wednesday, saying Jones was upset after he was asked to leave an after-hours gathering at a business, and returned with a gun. He allegedly made threats then fired multiple shots, and gunfire was exchanged.

When police arrived on the scene after a ShotSpotter activation, they located Jones and another victim. Officers immediately began CPR on Jones before he was taken to Nebraska Medicine, where he later died, reports state.

Police reports indicate officers also found a 32-year-old man with a gunshot wound in the lower left side of his back at the scene; his injuries were determined not to be life-threatening.

Authorities later identified three more victims who arrived at CUMC with gunshot wounds after the shooting: a 57-year-old man, a 55-year-old man, and a 48-year-old man. All three were transferred to CHI-Bergan Mercy hospital for treatment, but initial reports indicated their injuries were not life-threatening.

Suspect shot, killed by store clerk after armed robbery in St. Clair County

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation after a man was shot and killed during a robbery Sunday morning.

According to SCCSO, Timothy Jones, 44, of Hale County, entered a gas station in Cropwell around 4:30 a.m. with a knife. The suspect was reportedly shot and killed by the store clerk during the robbery.

St. Clair County Criminal Investigation Division is investigating.

Homeless man, 69, won’t face charges after stabbing thugs who terrorized him on subway, killing 1: DA

Dramatic video footage captured the moment a 69-year-old homeless man stabbed the thugs who mercilessly terrorized him on a Queens subway train, killing one and wounding another.

In a twist of transit justice, it’s the surviving goons who are now behind bars, prosecutors said.

“The victim was accosted, without provocation, and our investigation has shown that he defended himself while attempting to retrieve his property,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement Wednesday.

“As a result, my office will not be filing charges for the fatality.”

Gripping footage of the violent encounter on a 7 train on Dec. 22 shows the victim sleeping on the train shortly before 12:30 a.m. when two of the brutes — identified by prosecutors as Stalin Moya and Oswaldo Walter — grab one of the man’s bags and take it into a second car.

Moya then goes back and grabs more of the victim’s bags — waking him up in the process. That’s when things got violent.

The unidentified victim followed Moya into the second car to try to get his things back, only to be attacked and pounded by several men in the group as they scattered and hid his bags.

The footage shows the victim then being shoved and slugged repeatedly by the group — until he has enough and pulls out a long knife and slashes his attackers, wounding at least two.

The cowardly thugs then scatter — one is seen stumbling away, bleeding from his wounds — as the victim stands in the middle of the empty subway car, still clutching the knife.

Queens prosecutors said Moya was killed and defendant Phillipe Pena was wounded.

Pena, 26, Walter, 29, and two others — Jose Valencia, 35, and Henry Toapanta, 32 — have been indicted by a grand jury on robbery and assault charges in the incident. The DA’s office said all of the suspects are also homeless.

“Our subways must be safe for the millions of people who depend on public transportation,” Katz said in her statement. “The New York City subway system has been outfitted with cameras and the video recovered in this case is vital to our prosecution.”

The incident comes amid a recent jump in subway violence and has similarities to earlier instances when straphangers fought back against transit thugs.

Most notable is the case of Daniel Penny, a Marine who was acquitted in the chokehold death of vagrant Jordan Neely on a Manhattan F train in 2023.

Man shot, killed during attempted break-in; police say intruder’s behavior was bizarre

ENGLEWOOD — A man was shot and killed after reportedly trying to break into someone’s home early Friday.

As reported on News Center 7 at 6, the shooting happened around 2 a.m. in the 600 block of Overla Boulevard in Englewood.

A couple heard someone trying to break in, they prepared to defend themselves and gunfire happened while one of them was calling 911. A caller told dispatchers that her boyfriend heard someone trying to break in and he went to grab his gun.

On the call, you hear a confrontation and gunshots.

Englewood police crews pulled up during the call. They found the alleged intruder on the ground in the home’s side yard. The police said the man who lived at the home thought the intruder had left and checked his backyard shed. He then walked toward the street to see if his car had been broken into.

“He was confronted by the suspect. The suspect came toward him. He, in fear for his life, fired three shots from this firearm,” Englewood Police Chief Corey Follick said.

The man killed was identified as 43-year-old Matthew Culham. Follick said his actions were unusual for a burglar. “Most burglars, if they determine the home is occupied, once they’re detected they flee the area,” he said.

Follick said the evidence gathered at the scene did support the couple’s version of what happened. Police can’t explain Culham’s actions at this time. “That’s why we had to wait for toxicology reports to see if anything else is factored into that as well,” Follick said.

Englewood barely has one homicide a year over the last decade, making the shooting even more unusual.

We will continue to follow this story.

Security Guard claims deadly New Year’s Eve shooting was self defense

PHILADELPHIA, PA — A man was fatally shot Tuesday night in the Germantown neighborhood after allegedly charging at a security guard with a knife, police said.

Officers from the 14th District responded to a report of a “Person with a Gun” at the 5500 block of Germantown Avenue at approximately 8:15 p.m. Upon arrival, they found an unresponsive Black male with a gunshot wound to the chest and multiple self-inflicted stab wounds.

The victim was transported to Jefferson Einstein Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m.

According to police, the armed security guard for a banquet hall in the area told officers he acted in self-defense after the decedent approached him with a knife. The security guard remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.

No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing under the Homicide Unit.

A Group of Texas Kids Tried to Rob a Man at Gunpoint. He Shot Them Instead

A group of Texas kids allegedly tried to rob a man at gunpoint at an apartment complex, only to be met with gunfire from the victim, leading to injuries and hospitalizations.

On Dec. 23 around midnight, authorities responded to a call about a shooting at a Houston apartment complex, Click 2 Houston reported.

When they arrived, deputies found three juveniles with gunshot wounds and a fourth uninjured child.

The target of the alleged robbery was allegedly approached by the group of children, who threatened him with what appeared to be firearms. The man, reportedly fearing for his life, pulled out his own weapon and began firing at them, as reported by KHOU.

As investigators pieced together the details, authorities believe that the children had planned to rob the man using weapons they initially presented as real. While authorities recovered several guns at the scene, it remains unclear whether the children’s weapons were real firearms or BB guns.

Despite their ages, the children were allegedly part of a larger group attempting to carry out the robbery.

The adult involved, identified as the victim/shooter, stayed on the scene and fully cooperated with law enforcement.

Three of the children, aged 12 to 14, were shot and taken to the hospital with one in critical condition. The fourth child and the man involved were detained for questioning.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation, and charges against both the juveniles and the man involved are still under review.

No charges for 12-year-old in fatal 51st and Hadley shooting; self-defense cited

A 12-year-old boy who was arrested after fatally shooting someone near 51st and Hadley on Saturday will not face criminal charges.

The Milwaukee County district attorney told TMJ4 on Thursday that the child acted in defense of his mother when he shot a 32-year-old on Dec. 14.

They later died in the hospital.

RELATED:
-Read our previous coverage of this story

Police had said the shooting stemmed from an argument.

The district attorney said the decision not to file charges is final.

Brooklyn DA Declines to Prosecute Bus Driver in Self-Defense Case

The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office has decided not to pursue charges against Ian Bascombe, a 58-year-old MTA bus driver, following a violent altercation aboard a Brooklyn bus, Dec. 13. This decision comes in the wake of the recent acquittal of Daniel Penny, a former Marine, in a widely publicized subway choking case that should’ve never been brought to trial, but proved even New York City juries can recognize people have a right to defend themselves.

Bascombe was initially arrested on charges of assault and weapon possession after stabbing Quentin Branch, 33, in the head and leg during the altercation. Branch, who was taken to the hospital in stable condition, also faces charges of assault and harassment stemming from the incident.

Oren Yaniv, a spokesperson for the Brooklyn DA’s office, confirmed Sunday that Bascombe’s case would not be prosecuted. While the DA’s office did not explicitly cite the Penny case as a factor in its decision, Penny’s acquittal is undoubtedly on the front of the minds of every New York prosecuting attorney. They know if they bring such charges, their case will be far from easily winnable.

The altercation reportedly began when Branch harassed and spat on Bascombe, escalating to physical violence. Video evidence supported Bascombe’s claim of self-defense, according to Transit Workers Union representative JP Patafio.

“This guy was just harassing and haranguing the operator and spitting in the operator’s face,” Patafio told the Gothamist. “When the operator got up, he started punching him and really going after him hard and the operator defended himself.”

Frank Annicaro, senior vice president of the New York City Transit Department of Buses and MTA Bus Company, condemned the violence, stating, “Violence on buses puts New Yorkers at risk and is not acceptable.” Bascombe has been suspended pending an internal review

Man killed by woman in what police believe was self-defense

LITHONIA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – One person was fatally shot in a DeKalb County neighborhood in what police believe was an act of self-defense.

The investigation centered on a home on Hallwood Court in Lithonia. Crime scene tape blocked the road for several hours.

DeKalb police say the victim is a man in his 30s and the deadly shooting is the result of a dispute.

“After further investigation, it was determined that the suspect came to the location and threatened the victim with a weapon,” police said in a statement. “The victim then shot the suspect in self-defense.”

Many neighbors watched as police recovered evidence from the home.

“What’s going on? What’s happening in my community? Usually, it’s quiet. Not a lot of people moving around,” said Holly Davis, who lives down the street.

The woman was initially seen being taken away in handcuffs.

Davis said police were called to the same home in the past.

“I seen them things going on around this house before, last year, but nothing here lately,” said Davis.

The name of the victim has not been released. DeKalb police say they will release more information as they continue their investigation.

Armed robber killed when victim fights for control of his gun

CHICAGO — An armed robber is dead, apparently shot by his own firearm as the would-be victim tried to gain control of the weapon on Saturday afternoon, Chicago police said.

Police initially responded to calls of three men beating a man on the ground in the 1500 block of West Garfield around 2:51 p.m. First responders soon learned that the subject of the beating was also the robber, who had been mortally wounded by a gunshot, too.

CPD said a 43-year-old man was working outside when the still-unidentified robber walked up, displayed a gun, and demanded property.

A struggle for control of the firearm began, resulting in the robber suffering a single gunshot wound to his chest, according to police. He died a short time later at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

An officer at the scene said they found a gun and a ski mask at the scene.

Video shows store employee shooting at armed robbery suspect in New Orleans East incident

NEW ORLEANS — Surveillance video reveals the tense moments leading up to a fatal shooting during an armed robbery at a convenience store in New Orleans East.

The shooting happened in the 8400 Blk of S I-10 Service Road around 7:50 p.m. Tuesday.

The store employee told WWL Louisiana that two young people walked in with guns and demanded cash. 16-year-old Cecil Batiz was killed in the incident. Police identified the other suspect as 18-year-old Teony Juarez.

Burglary suspect shot by Northern California homeowner, arrested following pursuit

A homeowner in Sacramento shot an intruder, who then went on to steal a car and lead police on a lengthy pursuit before being taken into custody, authorities said.

The attempted break-in took place about 3 p.m. Friday in a residential neighborhood in the 7200 block of Chandler Drive, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials said the would-be burglar arrived at the home and began trying to break windows in an attempt to get inside.

“The homeowner, who was home with his family, yelled at the intruder several times to stop,” the sheriff’s department said in a written statement. The intruder refused and continued trying to smash windows.

An alleged burglar was shot by a homeowner in Sacramento before stealing a car, smashing it through the door of a closed garage and leading deputies on an hour-long pursuit on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, officials said.
“The homeowner, fearing for his safety and that of his family, shot at (the suspect) from inside the residence, striking (him) in the hand,” according to the statement.

Authorities said the wounded suspect then ran to another nearby house, where no one was home, and managed to get inside.

He then found the keys to a car that was parked in the garage and drove it through a closed garage door, sheriff’s officials said.

Deputies caught up with the just-stolen car and tried to pull it over, leading to a pursuit.

The chase continued for about an hour before deputies used a PIT maneuver to bring it to an end at Highway 99 and Arno Road, officials said. The suspect was then taken into custody.

Emelio Correa, 40, was treated for his injuries at a hospital before being booked into jail on suspicion of burglary, auto theft, vandalism and evading police, according to sheriff’s officials and county booking records.

Bail was set at $100,000 pending an initial court appearance.

Suspect killed, food vendor with Concealed-Carry License hurt in exchange of gunfire in Austin (Chicago neighborhood)

CHICAGO (WLS) — A food vendor with a Concealed-Carry License shot and killed a man who pulled a gun on him Friday night, Chicago police said.

Police said the shooting happened in the South Austin neighborhood’s 300-block of South Central Avenue just before 9 p.m.

A 30-year-old man approached a 35-year-old man, who is a food vendor, and there was a brief struggle, police said.

Police said the 30-year-old took out a gun, and the 35-year-old, who is a CCL holder, also took out a gun.

There was an exchange of gunfire, and the 30-year-old, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his body, was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The Cook County Medical Examiner later said 34-year-old Demitrius Manning was killed in the incident. Police had reported earlier the man who died was 30 years old.

The 35-year-old food vendor, shot in his right arm, was transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition, police said.

Police said the incident is being investigated as an attempted robbery.

There were two firearms on the scene, and Area Four detectives are investigating, police said.

Police did not immediately provide further information about the shooting.

Enterprise [Alabama] Police Department

On November 18, 2024, at 11:05 AM, EPD Officers responded to the 800 block of County Road 266 on a shooting call. At the scene, Officers located one male victim with injuries to his head and one deceased male individual with a gun-shot wound to the pelvic area. Witnesses advised the suspect attacked the victim with a metal pipe after a verbal altercation. During the attack, the victim fired a single shot at the suspect. The suspect, identified as Patrick John Cerqua, age 59, was pronounced deceased at the scene. This investigation is still ongoing and no further information will be released.

 

Man dies after he was shot in the head while attempting to steal car in Northeast Philadelphia

An investigation is underway after a man shot another man who was attempting to steal his car while he was at an ATM in Northeast Philadelphia Friday afternoon, Philadelphia police said.

Officers responded to Frankford Avenue and Pratt Street after 3 p.m. for a shooting. This is near SEPTA’s Frankford Transit Center Station.

Authorities said a middle-aged man identified as John Doe was shot in the head. Police told CBS News Philadelphia that a man using the ATM left his car running, and another man jumped in to attempt to steal it.

The owner of the car, a licensed gun owner, shot into the car one time, hitting John Doe, according to police.

John Doe was taken to Temple University Hospital where he later died Friday evening, according to the Homicide Unit. He was pronounced at 6:17 p.m.

Authorities said SEPTA Police took the shooter into custody and there’s no other impact on SEPTA service.

Man killed during attempted Decatur break-in

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — A break-in at a Decatur residence Monday evening left one dead and another injured.

According to a release from the Decatur Police Department, around 7:38 p.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting at a home int he 2000 block of E. Damon Avenue. They found a 35-year-old male and 66-year-old female inside, both with gunshot wounds.

Emergency medical personnel took both to the Decatur Memorial Hospital, where the man succumbed to his injuries. The woman sustained “non-life-threatening injuries,” according to Decatur Police.

Officers secured the crime scene at the residence before conducting a search of the property. Detectives recovered a handgun and four shell casings, which matched the caliber of the gun.

Witness statements and video surveillance footage indicated the woman was at her home when the man entered the property unlawfully. During this, a family member of the woman arrived at the home and encountered the man. He attempted to continue into the residence, when the family member shot at him with a handgun multiple times, striking him.

Further investigation revealed the man was on Mandatory Supervised Release through the Illinois Department of Corrections. He had no known association with the residence, Decatur Police added.

The family member, identified as a 48-year-old male, has a valid FOID card and active Concealed Carry License.

Decatur Police and the Macon County State’s Attorney are continuing with the investigation.

Armed Intruder Shot by Homeowner During Break-In Attempt in DeSoto, Texas

On Friday, November 8, 2024, at approximately 7:54 p.m., police were dispatched to an active disturbance in the 400 block of Raintree Circle, DeSoto, Texas. The caller, an adult female, reported to dispatch that an unknown adult male armed with a pistol was in her backyard. During the 911 call, dispatch could hear screaming as the suspect attempted to force entry through the rear garage door. Multiple neighbors also called 911, reporting gunshots in the area. Police arrived on scene at the victim’s residence by 7:57 p.m.

Upon arrival, officers encountered the victim in front of her home. She informed them that she believed she had shot the suspect, who was likely at the back of the property. Police searched the premises and found the suspect lying on the ground inside the garage, with a pistol nearby. The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Octavio Flores Mondragon, had sustained two gunshot wounds, one to the chest and another to the face. Officers secured the scene and administered first aid until an ambulance arrived. The suspect was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

The victim stated that she noticed a dark truck following her as she entered her neighborhood, and it pulled in behind her when she parked in her driveway. Concerned for her safety, she ran inside her home and called the police. She armed herself with her pistol as the suspect tried to break in, firing multiple shots to stop him. She then met officers at the front of her home when they arrived.

The suspect faces charges of Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit Another Felony, a first-degree felony. No motive has been determined.

The pistol found beside the suspect is believed to be the firearm he had during the incident. [ya think?]

Texas homeowner shoots person during possible attempted break-in, police say
Fort Worth police said officers responded to a shooting call at approximately 12:05 a.m. on Berke Road.

FORT WORTH, Texas — One person was shot twice by a Fort Worth homeowner during a possible attempted break-in, police said.

The Fort Worth Police Department said officers responded at approximately 12:05 a.m. Wednesday to the 4300 block of Berke Road for a shooting call. When officers got to the home, they located a person who had been shot twice. Fort Worth police said Wednesday they believe from their investigation that the person was shot by the homeowner during a possible attempted break-in.

“He just protected our family. Yeah, he did what he had to do,” said Christina, whose husband shot the man. “It was self-defense, what I’m afraid of is for the guy getting out maybe through bond or something and coming back.”

That lingering fear is why she asked us not to use her last name as she told us what happened.

“In this neighborhood, we see a lot of stuff going on but we never thought we were gonna go through something like this,” she said. “Something so scary.”

She says it all started just before midnight, she, her husband and three young kids had already gone to bed.

“We were already asleep. I started hearing our dogs barking,” she said. “So I woke up my husband, I’m like, hey, something is going on.”

They looked out the window and saw a man on their property acting erratically.

“He already had tore down some part of the wooden fence,” Christina said. “He was just going back and forth in the backyard to our driveway.”

She called 9-1-1 and her husband grabbed his gun.

“He came to our driveway and with a plank, a wooden plank from our fence, he broke our daughter’s bedroom window,” Christina said.

Her husband screamed at him to go away.

“Instead of him leaving, he came and tried to open the door, our kitchen door. So that’s when my husband had to fire his gun,” she said.

Fort Worth police were there minutes later.

“The suspect was taken to the hospital he was shot a couple of times,” said Fort Worth Police public information officer Tracy Carter. “This guy is lucky to be alive. The homeowner did what any of us would have done, we’d wanna protect our family.”

According to Fort Worth city jail records, Jeremy Black, 35, was booked Wednesday morning on suspicion of burglary of a habitation in connection to the incident.

Police say Christina’s husband isn’t facing any legal action, but the family is still shaken up.

“It was really scary, especially for my children,” Christina said.

“Officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, and Gun Violence Detectives have been notified,” Fort Worth PD told WFAA by email.

Mother, son stabbed to death during home invasion; younger son shoots suspect in California

TULARE, Calif. — A home invasion ended in a tragic loss for a family already in mourning in California.

Surveillance video from last Thursday morning allegedly shows a burglar trying to break into a home on Berkeley Way in Tulare, California.
It appears he sees the camera then turns and moves on another home nearby.

That’s where police said Fabian Gamez, 30, tried to enter through the backyard, when he was confronted by the owner, Melissa Quinn, 58.
Gamez attacked Quinn with a knife, then her son Raymond Garza,38, tried to intervene and Gamez began stabbing him, detectives said.

The mother and her eldest son both died from their injuries.

“Losing them, not just one but both at the same time, is a huge hit to the family. They were our protectors and if anything happened they were the first to defend their family members,” said Michael Garza, who is Melissa’s second son and Raymond’s younger brother.

He says their youngest sibling heard the commotion, came out and shot the intruder.
He was able to keep the suspect from getting away until police arrived.

There were more than six people in the home, including Melissa’s father she cared for and Raymond’s children, ages 7, 9 and 19.

The two youngest kids also lost their mother in 2019 and are now coping with the trauma of another tragedy. “They are scared, what my nephew had to see his dad dying on the floor after being viciously stabbed by the intruder,” said Michael.

ABC Fresno affiliate KFSN found Gamez has a history of run-ins with police.
Detectives believe he’d been canvassing the area Wednesday night.
“Detectives now believe that he may have been burglarizing in the area,” explains Sgt. Rosa Moreno, with the Tulare Police Department.

Gamez pleaded not guilty Tuesday to two counts of first degree murder and one count of residential burglary with special circumstances.

The victims’ loved ones say they will continue to fight for justice as they honor the mother and son.
“They were the limelight of any event they’d show up. Their personalities were always glowing,” said Michael.
The family now left with only memories and heartbreak.
Melissa leaves behind six grandkids and two sons.
Raymond leaves behind his three young children. He was their only living parent.

The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses.

Gamez will be back in court next month.