Self-Defense or Needless Murder?

United States
August 15, 2009 11:07am CST
There's an article on MSN.com this morning about a 72-year-old man in New York City who killed 2 suspects and injured 2 more when they attempted to rob his establishment. Here's the link to the article: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/32426383/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/?GT1=43001. What do you all think about this? For me, it is a clear-cut case of self-defense. The men were waving guns around and wouldn't leave. While I am always sadden by the loss of any life, I believe the 72-year-old owner was well within in his rights (although, he should have had the proper permits to own the gun). Do you all agree? What would you have done if you were the shop owner?
3 people like this
5 responses
• United States
16 Aug 09
This totally reminds me of my friend, whose ex boyfriend has found her and beaten her numerous times and is NOW finally able to get a restraining order on him because now she has "physical proof" bull... ugh. Anyways, I just found out that in the state of Wisconsin, in a case like this 72 year old man, if you kill or hurt someone physically even though you are defending yourself, YOU WILL GO TO JAIL! Even though you are defending yourself!!! So what if some young girl was getting raped, she defends herself and then goes to jail? Cmon now... Anyways I believe the man had every right to defend himself!!! I mean it really sucks that he had to kill people, but who knows what those men were capable of, and what they would have done to the old man!!!
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
15 Aug 09
It was a case of self-defense. It seems, however, the people in that neighborhood believe that their children have a perfect right to walk in and take things that do not belong to them, and forget about the shop owner not having a license. Perhaps it was a souvenir and he got it before getting the license and perhaps he felt that if he had a license then it would have been confiscated and the article would have been about the gang robbing and killing the 72 year old shopkeeper, and of course he would have been blamed by not having packed up and left when he should have. Perhaps if the people of that neighborhood had not made so many excuses for those creeps, this would not have happened.
@xfahctor (14113)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
15 Aug 09
I thhink responding with dealy force to a deaadly threat is more than apropriate. the man felt his life was in danger and responded accordingly, just as I would too. This is the reason castle laws exist. For the average citizen to be able to defend themselves and their families. I would have acted the exact same way. no one wnats to take a life, but when it comes down to me or "them".....well.
1 person likes this
@skysuccess (8857)
• Singapore
16 Aug 09
Care4Pets, This unfortunate shooting as according to the articles, is purely self defense. In the first place, the shooter already tried to convince the 4 robbers that there is no money available. And these restless youths just could not take no for an answer and one of them actually went after one of his staff with the pistol. In this kind of situation, I would be left with no choice but to exercise deadly counter measures, even if I am not armed with a shotgun. Because, other lives will be lost unnecessary to these perpetrators. Tragic as it may seem here, but I feel this is just what it needs to be done. So, the police is right to say here that he would not be charged here.
@syankee525 (6249)
• United States
16 Aug 09
i would call it self defence, but as always there will be some who will cry over them saying the old dude was wrong. yeah he should have gave them the money but if he thought they would have killed all of them then i would have done the samething