Georgia man shoots and kills young Latino who accidentally pulled into his driveway

[Darnell 8,478]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/gps-mistake-allegedly-leads-deadly-driveway-shooting/story?id=18346144

Lead-in - GPS error, Missionary shoots the guy.

Wow - a bit of a change-up, aye?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

sigh.

no, shooting into the air is reckless as that bullet is gonna fall somewhere.

And sometimes it'll injure someone when it "falls somewhere". So yeah, I'd say it IS reckless.

[EminTX 131]

I know when I first moved here I got lost. A lot. I'd turn down a street, realize it was the wrong one, and pull into someone's driveway for a minute to a) call my husband and try to tell him where I am and get directions b) use my phone to attempt to get directions c) mess with the GPS.

I would never, EVER do this. I drive to a spot where I would not be obviously on someone's private property (driveway!) like a corner store or at the curb in front of a vacant lot or alongside a park. If you are that lost, you can drive another minute to go to a place where you do not look like you are casing properties for robberies. There is absolutely zero reason to ever to pull onto a stranger's private property to make a phone call unless you are calling 911.

We live in a very high crime area, too. My husband is learning to drive and we had the discussion 3 days ago about how you do NOT turn use a driveway to turn around unless it is an OBVIOUSLY vacant house--instead, you do a 3-point or Y turn around. I was taught this 25 years ago in driver's ed and the same lesson applies moreso today.

This vehicle was how? Loud aggressive music? After dark or near it? Did they sit and idle for a while? There were four people in the vehicle? They were looking for the place where someone else lived? When they pulled in, did they pull all the way to the end of a driveway that was between the houses or up to the garage door or leave the tail of the vehicle at the street to keep keep a distance from the home? (Pulling all the way on a touble or triple driveway indicates a home invasion--it is getting too close for absolutely no reason.) Two of the passengers had exited the vehicle and were together to approach the house? There are too many variables. The homeowner had time to get his firearm, exit his house, and shoot in the air. I agree, that in that situation, my hands would be up to display that they are empty and without any weapon or threat (if I were in the vehicle).

I work in a busy ER where we have shooting victims regularly.My 2 neighbors in both directions have been victims of break-ins. I am automatically on full alert when someone does something like pull into my driveway when there are plenty of places to park or turn around that are close enough for me to throw a rock at them. No one has a reason to enter my driveway unless he or she is expected. I have no reason to enter anyone else's driveway either and I don't unless I KNOW the people and am expected. Otherwise, I street park and walk up or call first.

I do agree that it sounds like it escalated very quickly and without reason, but when an ordinary law-abiding citizen has a reaction this extreme, it is very rare that the situation is so blatantly that he just attacked some innocent youths for no good reason.

Edited February 3, 2013 by EminTX

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

I know this is like ashark feeding frenzy but I shouldn't have to loose my guns because someone else misused his weapon.

This is akin to me not being able to drive because some nitwit crashed his car.

[Ban Hammer 13,344]

I know this is like ashark feeding frenzy but I shouldn't have to loose my guns because someone else misused his weapon.

This is akin to me not being able to drive because some nitwit crashed his car.

[Darnell 8,478]

EminTX - the news article in the link I posted claimed two of the riders got out of the car.

That makes sense, as they were going to the door to KNOCK on the door.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I would never, EVER do this. I drive to a spot where I would not be obviously on someone's private property (driveway!) like a corner store or at the curb in front of a vacant lot or alongside a park. If you are that lost, you can drive another minute to go to a place where you do not look like you are casing properties for robberies. There is absolutely zero reason to ever to pull onto a stranger's private property to make a phone call unless you are calling 911.

Good for you. I, however, do not live in a high crime area and pulling into someone's driveway for a second or to turn around is an every day event. I am lucky enough to not live in an area where everyone is so paranoid, they freak out at the idea of someone parking in their driveway for less than two minutes.

[EminTX 131]

Good for you. I, however, do not live in a high crime area and pulling into someone's driveway for a second or to turn around is an every day event. I am lucky enough to not live in an area where everyone is so paranoid, they freak out at the idea of someone parking in their driveway for less than two minutes.

Why would you ever park in someone's driveway when you can use any of the alternatives cited above? The above person stated that she liked to use people's driveways to call for directions--that is not usually moments but several minutes. Making such a call from an intersection or a notable location is certainly safer and better to get directions from than someone's private property that you were not invited to.

One news report stated that the homeowner in the case of the shooting saw people walking around outside his home. How did they manage to get back into the vehicle before the homeowner exited the house with his firearm? They did NOT knock in any of the cited articles. They exited, approached the house, then reentered the vehicle. The photos of the property show that the home has enough distance from the road for a perfect home invasion scenario. One person exiting "to knock" is certainly much less threatening than two.

While I don't personally agree with the reported actions of the homeowner, I can understand his unease. We, here, go into barricade mode--everybody upstairs and the shotgun is held at the top of the stairs ready to be used. If possible, someone takes photos with the cell phone of the activities outside the home.

It is very, very rare for someone to innocently be wandering around your property close enough to see inside your house.

IF, just IF, these had been criminals looking to scout the house or worse, how would anyone know at this point?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Why would you ever park in someone's driveway when you can use any of the alternatives cited above? The above person stated that she liked to use people's driveways to call for directions--that is not usually moments but several minutes. Making such a call from an intersection or a notable location is certainly safer and better to get directions from than someone's private property that you were not invited to.

One news report stated that the homeowner in the case of the shooting saw people walking around outside his home. How did they manage to get back into the vehicle before the homeowner exited the house with his firearm? They did NOT knock in any of the cited articles. They exited, approached the house, then reentered the vehicle. The photos of the property show that the home has enough distance from the road for a perfect home invasion scenario. One person exiting "to knock" is certainly much less threatening than two.

While I don't personally agree with the reported actions of the homeowner, I can understand his unease. We, here, go into barricade mode--everybody upstairs and the shotgun is held at the top of the stairs ready to be used. If possible, someone takes photos with the cell phone of the activities outside the home.

It is very, very rare for someone to innocently be wandering around your property close enough to see inside your house.

IF, just IF, these had been criminals looking to scout the house or worse, how would anyone know at this point?

Good lord.

When I was new here, I'd get lost all the time. Instead of driving around aimlessly for a new place to pull over for a minute, I'd pull into a driveway. I'd never be there more than a minute or two. A quick phone call to my husband to say "Hey, I'm on X street and I need to be on Y. Help?" And I'd be out of there. Not once did anyone come running out with a gun or barricaded themselves in their home because of it.

Like I said, I don't live in an area where everyone is afraid of everyone else. I've had people pull into my driveway for a minute or two and I never thought anything of it. Why? Because I am not scared. I have nothing to be afraid of.

People park in my driveway and come to my door uninvited all the time. Trying to sell #######, trying to teach me the word of Jesus, whatever. Them pulling into my driveway and parking for a minute isn't a threat to my safety and I don't react like it is.

We, here, go into barricade mode--everybody upstairs and the shotgun is held at the top of the stairs ready to be used. If possible, someone takes photos with the cell phone of the activities outside the home.

Again, good for you. Glad I don't live there. Must be horrible to be so constantly on guard.

[Caryh 5,206]

Why would you ever park in someone's driveway when you can use any of the alternatives cited above? The above person stated that she liked to use people's driveways to call for directions--that is not usually moments but several minutes. Making such a call from an intersection or a notable location is certainly safer and better to get directions from than someone's private property that you were not invited to.

One news report stated that the homeowner in the case of the shooting saw people walking around outside his home. How did they manage to get back into the vehicle before the homeowner exited the house with his firearm? They did NOT knock in any of the cited articles. They exited, approached the house, then reentered the vehicle. The photos of the property show that the home has enough distance from the road for a perfect home invasion scenario. One person exiting "to knock" is certainly much less threatening than two.

While I don't personally agree with the reported actions of the homeowner, I can understand his unease. We, here, go into barricade mode--everybody upstairs and the shotgun is held at the top of the stairs ready to be used. If possible, someone takes photos with the cell phone of the activities outside the home.

It is very, very rare for someone to innocently be wandering around your property close enough to see inside your house.

IF, just IF, these had been criminals looking to scout the house or worse, how would anyone know at this point?

Heck I've had people pull into my driveway and get out to ask me directions before. I don't start thinking I need to grab my gun and start shooting! I'd hate living in a place where people have to live with so much fear. On the positive side though, that kind of fear might keep the Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses away

[decocker 7,198]

Why would you ever park in someone's driveway when you can use any of the alternatives cited above? The above person stated that she liked to use people's driveways to call for directions--that is not usually moments but several minutes. Making such a call from an intersection or a notable location is certainly safer and better to get directions from than someone's private property that you were not invited to.

i don't know where the hell you live but i would move if i were you. that's just plain crazy. who would want to live like that?

we turnaround in driveways all the time. people turn around in our driveway. when we're lost, we ask for directions from complete strangers.

i would say most people out this way, living in the country, have guns. i would expect kindness from strangers before i would expect a bullet.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

i don't know where the hell you live but i would move if i were you. that's just plain crazy. who would want to live like that?

we turnaround in driveways all the time. people turn around in our driveway. when we're lost, we ask for directions from complete strangers.

i would say most people out this way, living in the country, have guns. i would expect kindness from strangers before i would expect a bullet.

Exactly. So many people here have guns. It's a big hunting area. And I'm still not afraid of people in my city. Around here, pulling into someone's driveway won't get you shot. And if it will in your area, live somewhere else.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

What if it was the tax assessor or a census worker, or a Girl Scout selling cookies or magazines or someone like that? Shoot first, ask questions later?

[Ban Hammer 13,344]

What if it was the tax assessor or a census worker, or a Girl Scout selling cookies or magazines or someone like that? Shoot first, ask questions later?

well that first one i could see.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

well that first one i could see.

Really? Are you moonshining in your spare time?