KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City homeowner who says he’d been a victim of thieves repeatedly took matters into his own hands early Wednesday morning.

A male, believed to be a teen by witnesses, was shot about 5:15 a.m. near 27th and Askew. Police say he may have broken into more than 30 cars.

People who say they called 911 about the break-ins wonder why police at nearby East Patrol didn’t respond until that shooting happened.

From 24th and Bales along Indiana Park all the way to 28th and Askew, Kansas City streets remained covered in broken glass Wednesday afternoon.

At least 30 cars parked in front of homes still had windows broken out, with some temporarily covered in plastic.

Renee Willis-Hunter didn’t realize her son’s Dodge Charger was broken into until he went to leave for work about 6:15 a.m.

“He took his whole bag with his id, his social security card, all his credit cards in there, and iPad. He took $2 out, dropped one dollar on the ground and kept the other dollar,” Willis-Hunter said.

By the time her family discovered the theft, police were already nearby investigating a shooting.

A homeowner near 27th and Askew said he saw the thief around his truck and car that had been broken into before. He didn’t want to go on camera but says he tried to scare off the burglar with a laser and then took time to get dressed.

When he went outside the young man was still breaking into cars. He says the thief started threatening to shoot him and a neighbor. The homeowner ended up shooting the thief three times.

Police say someone called EMS at 19th and Cleveland for a shooting victim matching his description suffering from non-life threatening injuries.

“Can’t show no sympathy if you mess with other people’s stuff. That’s how it’s going to be,” Willis-Hunter said standing by a neighbor’s home with warnings on the door for thieves to bring identity with them for next of kin notifications and images of rifles.

Neighbors tell FOX4 they’d called about the break-ins going on as much as an hour earlier, but police didn’t respond. Police say answers to our questions about the timing of the 911 calls and their response aren’t currently publicly available.

“Got out here a lot faster and that could have been resolved a lot quicker and little man wouldn’t have gotten hurt. But it’s unfortunate that’s how it happened,” Willis-Hunter said.

The shooter was released after questioning. It’s unclear at this point if he could face any charges. As for the victims, neighbors tell FOX4 police found the thief’s car loaded with stolen items and many of them were able to get their belongings back already.

https://fox4kc.com/news/kc-hom...o-30-cars-wednesday/

quote:

believed to be a teen by witnesses

Translated: ".. a thug in his late teens or early 20s.."

I know Louisiana allows lethal force in protection of private property, but does Missouri allow the same? All states should follow Louisiana's example.

And the shot guy ?

Assuming the neighbor the thief threatened to shoot was there along with the guy that shot the thief who the thief also threatened to shoot, then I don’t believe this is a property issue.

One way to reduce crimes to take no mercy on the criminals. If half of them wind up dead then it makes it much easier on what’s left iv our legal system since we no longer have to pay to keep them.

quote:

Originally posted by Biker_dude:

quote:

believed to be a teen by witnesses

Translated: ".. a thug in his late teens or early 20s.."

I know Louisiana allows lethal force in protection of private property, but does Missouri allow the same? All states should follow Louisiana's example.

The article is horribly written but I’m willing to bet that the offender is probably 13-15 years of age based upon experience and national trends. That same experience is telling me all of the cars were unlocked and he didn’t “break in” to anything.

If we want to blame anyone beside the thief, if the residents would lock their cars and/or not leave valuables in them, these crimes would vaporize.

But, yeah much easier to blame the cops for not coming over to police.

quote:

Originally posted by Biker_dude:
I know Louisiana allows lethal force in protection of private property, but does Missouri allow the same? All states should follow Louisiana's example.

The Castle Doctrine

Missouri also incorporates the Castle Doctrine, which allows homeowners and occupants to use deadly force against intruders who unlawfully enter their residence or occupied vehicle. This doctrine essentially extends the self-defense rights to protect one’s home and personal space. However, it is crucial to note that the use of force must still be reasonable and justifiable under the circumstances. In other words, lethal force may be used only if you reasonably believe they will use unlawful force against you and you believe it is necessary to protect yourself or someone else.

The Duty to Retreat

While Missouri law generally follows a “Stand Your Ground” philosophy, it does maintain a duty to retreat in certain situations. This duty to retreat applies when a person is outside their home, vehicle, private property, or place they have a right to be and could safely avoid the threat by retreating or withdrawing from the situation. Failing to do so may undermine a claim of self-defense in a court of law. For example, if you are trespassing on the private property of another, you must retreat before resorting to the use of physical force to defend yourself. It is essential for individuals to assess the circumstances carefully and act in accordance with this requirement when applicable.

Deadly Force

Missouri law allows the use of deadly force in self-defense only when the individual reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent death, serious physical injury, or a forcible felony. This standard ensures that the use of deadly force is a last resort, and individuals must demonstrate that they had no other reasonable options to protect themselves or others. Overstepping these boundaries can result in criminal charges.

https://stlouiscriminaldefense...ri-self-defense-law/

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:

The article is horribly written but I’m willing to bet that the offender is probably 13-15 years of age based upon experience and national trends. That same experience is telling me all of the cars were unlocked and he didn’t “break in” to anything.

From the article:

quote:

At least 30 cars parked in front of homes still had windows broken out, with some temporarily covered in plastic.

I read that. I even doubt that to be true. The media rarely gets it right.

But, even if so, if you don’t leave valuables in your vehicle, again, this doesn’t happen.

^^^
Are you implying that every car this turd broke into had valuables in plain view? I find that extremely unlikely, given the location and circumstances. Said turd was playing the street version of the game of chance ghetto lottery and it backfired on him.

Who knows. Could be any number of reasons. Could have been stacked up on higher priority calls and don't get to break free until shots started flying, or could have been they didn't get called until the dude was most of his way through the smashing spree and by the time they got there he was full of holes.

Locally, if we caught a juvenile breaking into 30 cars and stealing stuff, we'd put him in cuffs and call juvenile probation. They'd bitch at us for bothering them and tell us he doesn't meet the criteria for detention and to take him home and release him to his parents. So we'd do that and 20 minutes later he'd be out doing it again.

At least this way it'll take until he gets out of the hospital before he starts thieving from the public again.

Somewhat random thought, what happens to the victim’s firearm? The article mentioned the victim was released, but it wasn’t clear if he’d face charges.

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
^^^
Are you implying that every car this turd broke into had valuables in plain view? I find that extremely unlikely, given the location and circumstances. Said turd was playing the street version of the game of chance ghetto lottery and it backfired on him.

Actually, it “fired back” on him.

Worst article of the year award goes to __________

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:

quote:

Originally posted by Biker_dude:

quote:

believed to be a teen by witnesses

Translated: ".. a thug in his late teens or early 20s.."

I know Louisiana allows lethal force in protection of private property, but does Missouri allow the same? All states should follow Louisiana's example.

The article is horribly written but I’m willing to bet that the offender is probably 13-15 years of age based upon experience and national trends. That same experience is telling me all of the cars were unlocked and he didn’t “break in” to anything.

If we want to blame anyone beside the thief, if the residents would lock their cars and/or not leave valuables in them, these crimes would vaporize.

But, yeah much easier to blame the cops for not coming over to police.

"neighbors tell FOX4 police found the thief’s car loaded with stolen items and many of them were able to get their belongings back already." 13-15 yo don't usually have acar on hand, (unless it's stolen...)

Those yutes are sticklers for following the rules.

Maybe he's one of the "Kia boys" as well.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:

experience is telling me all of the cars were unlocked and he didn’t “break in” to anything.

If the cars were unlocked, what's the explanation for this?

quote:

From 24th and Bales along Indiana Park all the way to 28th and Askew, Kansas City streets remained covered in broken glass Wednesday afternoon.

Whatever the details, the thief caught some lead, so all’s well that ends well.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
I read that. I even doubt that to be true. The media rarely gets it right.

But, even if so, if you don’t leave valuables in your vehicle, again, this doesn’t happen.

I saw a kid in bright daylight checking the doors of each car in a back parking lot, right down the line. Based on what you said I suppose he wasn't a pro, but I couldn't call the police since it was before cell phones, but he was methodical, and would be gone before I could ever find a phone.