It's amazing how different people react (the forum members) when a story such as this comes about.
The way I see it: Good Guy gets gun stuck in back, GG told to give BG the keys, BG starts to drive off with gun still in his hand, GG shoots BG. Totally justified.
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=214460&page=2
From the Philadelphia Daily News http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/15204722.htm?source=rss&channel=dailynews_local
Posted on Sat, Aug. 05, 2006
78-year-old thwarts West. Phila. carjacker
By SIMONE WEICHSELBAUM
SUSPECTED gunman William Edney picked the wrong vehicle to carjack Thursday morning, paying with his blood for the poor decision, police said.
Edney, 23, watched as his bounty, a wine-colored 2004 Ford Expedition, pulled up to a rowhouse on Larchwood Avenue near 58th Street, West Philadelphia, about 6:15 a.m.
A seemingly easy target, a senior citizen with a slow gait, climbed out of the SUV.
Edney clutched a 9 mm handgun and crept up to the senior, whispering, "Don't do anything funny," police later said.
The elderly man, George Newton, 78, unhesitatingly handed him the keys. Edney hopped into the driver's seat still holding the gun in his right hand, Newton told the Daily News yesterday, while sitting on the stoop of his West Philadelphia rowhouse.
Newton said he watched as Edney struggled to hold the gun and shift gears with the same hand. Newton said he seized the opportunity, and pulled out his revolver, firing one shot into Edney's jaw.
Edney drove off, but Newton "came around to the driver's side and shot him again," striking him in the shoulder, police said.
"Both windows were down so I didn't mess up any of my glass," Newton said.
Edney zig-zagged down Larchwood Avenue trying to escape the bullets.
Newton said he was surprised that Edney didn't smash into any of the neighbors' cars. Police said Edney drove himself to a hospital where he told the medical staff he didn't know who had shot him, Newton said.
Edney was listed in stable condition last night at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Lt. John Walker of Southwest Detectives said Edney had been charged with robbery, carjacking and related crimes.
Both Edney and Newton are licensed to carry a firearm, Walker said.
Newton said he always travels the streets with his gun, a .38-special snub nose, even when driving his grandchildren around.
On Thursday Newton followed his daily routine - driving to his daughter's home to pick up her four children, ages 11 to an infant, for day care.
Although the carjacker did startle him, Newton said he was prepared for the fight.
"I was in the military police in Germany," Newton said recalling his 1940s Army service. "And I have friends who are narcotics officers."
Newton is waiting for police to return his car and gun.
He said he tries to avoid the spotlight, and after retiring from his longtime career as a car mechanic, Newton said he just wants to relax.
"All I do now is go to the park and feed the birds and the squirrels," he said with a grin.
The way I see it: Good Guy gets gun stuck in back, GG told to give BG the keys, BG starts to drive off with gun still in his hand, GG shoots BG. Totally justified.
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=214460&page=2
From the Philadelphia Daily News http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/15204722.htm?source=rss&channel=dailynews_local
Posted on Sat, Aug. 05, 2006
78-year-old thwarts West. Phila. carjacker
By SIMONE WEICHSELBAUM
SUSPECTED gunman William Edney picked the wrong vehicle to carjack Thursday morning, paying with his blood for the poor decision, police said.
Edney, 23, watched as his bounty, a wine-colored 2004 Ford Expedition, pulled up to a rowhouse on Larchwood Avenue near 58th Street, West Philadelphia, about 6:15 a.m.
A seemingly easy target, a senior citizen with a slow gait, climbed out of the SUV.
Edney clutched a 9 mm handgun and crept up to the senior, whispering, "Don't do anything funny," police later said.
The elderly man, George Newton, 78, unhesitatingly handed him the keys. Edney hopped into the driver's seat still holding the gun in his right hand, Newton told the Daily News yesterday, while sitting on the stoop of his West Philadelphia rowhouse.
Newton said he watched as Edney struggled to hold the gun and shift gears with the same hand. Newton said he seized the opportunity, and pulled out his revolver, firing one shot into Edney's jaw.
Edney drove off, but Newton "came around to the driver's side and shot him again," striking him in the shoulder, police said.
"Both windows were down so I didn't mess up any of my glass," Newton said.
Edney zig-zagged down Larchwood Avenue trying to escape the bullets.
Newton said he was surprised that Edney didn't smash into any of the neighbors' cars. Police said Edney drove himself to a hospital where he told the medical staff he didn't know who had shot him, Newton said.
Edney was listed in stable condition last night at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Lt. John Walker of Southwest Detectives said Edney had been charged with robbery, carjacking and related crimes.
Both Edney and Newton are licensed to carry a firearm, Walker said.
Newton said he always travels the streets with his gun, a .38-special snub nose, even when driving his grandchildren around.
On Thursday Newton followed his daily routine - driving to his daughter's home to pick up her four children, ages 11 to an infant, for day care.
Although the carjacker did startle him, Newton said he was prepared for the fight.
"I was in the military police in Germany," Newton said recalling his 1940s Army service. "And I have friends who are narcotics officers."
Newton is waiting for police to return his car and gun.
He said he tries to avoid the spotlight, and after retiring from his longtime career as a car mechanic, Newton said he just wants to relax.
"All I do now is go to the park and feed the birds and the squirrels," he said with a grin.
