Chief Bob Terry said he believes the case "illustrates the frustration of many people in this community who are fed up and do not want their stuff stolen. But we don't know yet if that is what was happening or not, and we do not advise that shooting is the correct course of action to take," Chief Terry said. [More]I'll be interested to see how this one pans out. I've never been a big fan of "warning shots."
I know more politically correct gun advocates advise to let a perp walk, but that's like saying only the police should have arrest powers. Since they derive that power from us, I don't think it's illegitimate for me to hold someone I catch stealing my property.
It also sounds like once shots were fired, the homeowner should have clammed up and let his lawyer do the talking.
I know Monday morning quarterbacking is easy. Still, it's incumbent on us to think through in advance how we'll deal with a police response should we ever be involved in a shooting. It's all part of basic preparedness.
[Via Carl S]