View Full Version : Ike evacuee arrested in Corpus Christi for allegedly opening fire in parking lot
cjlandry
09-13-2008, 06:12
http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou080913_tnt_ike_evacuee_arrested.6ff939bf.html
05:34 AM CDT on Saturday, September 13, 2008
Associated Press
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- A Hurricane Ike evacuee was being held Saturday after allegedly firing shots in a hotel parking lot after a car struck a luggage cart carrying his 5-year-old son, authorities said.
No one was injured in the Friday night shooting, Nueces County sheriff’s Capt. Paul Rivera said.
The 28-year-old Houston man who fired the shots was being held on charges of possession of a firearm and discharge of a firearm, Rivera said.
Authorities said the man’s 5-year-old son was riding on a luggage cart about 7:30 p.m. Friday in a hotel parking lot when the cart was struck by a car being driven by a 15-year-old.
The child was jostled on the cart but not seriously injured.
“He pulled out a gun and shot about 11 times,” Rivera said of
the child’s father. It was unclear where the man was aiming; the car was not hit, Rivera said.
The car left the scene. Authorities later located the driver, who had abandoned the vehicle about a half-mile away.
Several other hurricane evacuees witnessed the shooting, Rivera said.
Once again, a man responded emotionally to a threat which was already gone.
It's difficult to say how I'd respond, not yet knowing if my son were OK.
First, don't let your kids ride luggage carts. Second, watch out for the damn cars. Third, try and think before drawing, and especially before firing.
PilotKitten
09-13-2008, 06:44
He was charged with possession of a firearm? Is there more to the law beyond just "possession"? Because uhh, just owning one isn't grounds for charges, right? Does it have to do more with not having a CHL or something?
The discharge one makes sense but I'm confused on the first one.
(don't know much about firearms laws, just wondering)
"...struck by a car being driven by a 15-year-old."
If one of us was hit by a reckless car, whoever might be driving would be pulled out by his throat. The ones that need to be choked out, are the parents of the little 15 year old NASCAR superstar.
TacoPower
09-13-2008, 07:03
Under certain circumstances a 15 year old can get a license here.. What I want to know is why you would evacuate Houston during a hurricane and go to the beach?
MyBabyDaddy
09-13-2008, 07:09
Under certain circumstances a 15 year old can get a license here.. What I want to know is why you would evacuate Houston during a hurricane and go to the beach?
Thats a damn good point.
If one of us was hit by a reckless car, whoever might be driving would be pulled out by his throat. The ones that need to be choked out, are the parents of the little 15 year old NASCAR superstar.
You're assuming that the driver was being reckless. A 5 year old was playing in a luggage cart in the plot.........we don't know if he was going all over the place where it would be difficult to see him or just staying in a small, visible area. Point is, the reaction of the kids father was rage and retaliation...........personally I would've taken care of my CHILD first. If the kid was badly injured, then the father should've been taking care of his SON. If the kid wasn't injured (like the article said) then there was no need to try to KILL someone over an accident. If folks are this irresponsible with their emotions and can't control themselves, then they should NOT be gun owners.
FastDraw McGraw
09-13-2008, 07:30
Fired off 11 rounds and didn't hit the car?? Wonder what exactly he was shooting at??:faint: Would you go to the shooting range with this guy?
Fastdraw....:wavey:
cjlandry
09-13-2008, 07:30
Under certain circumstances a 15 year old can get a license here.. What I want to know is why you would evacuate Houston during a hurricane and go to the beach?
When we saw that the Houston area was gonna take a severe ass-whoopin', we invited my MIL and her hubby to stay with my wife and kids in Corpus Christi.
It makes sense to retreat south when the storm is predicted to pass to the north. It would have worked out well.
There are a lot of hotels in Corpus Christi which aren't near the beach.
jhoagland
09-13-2008, 07:35
He was charged with possession of a firearm? Is there more to the law beyond just "possession"? Because uhh, just owning one isn't grounds for charges, right? Does it have to do more with not having a CHL or something?
The discharge one makes sense but I'm confused on the first one.
(don't know much about firearms laws, just wondering)
I think that it's one of those things where if you do something wrong they will add on any and every thing even remotely related to it. I wouldn't be surprised if they added on assault on a minor too. Later in court those things will get tossed most likely and just concentrate on the major charge.
cjlandry
09-13-2008, 07:36
He was charged with possession of a firearm? Is there more to the law beyond just "possession"? Because uhh, just owning one isn't grounds for charges, right? Does it have to do more with not having a CHL or something?
The discharge one makes sense but I'm confused on the first one.
(don't know much about firearms laws, just wondering)
Bear in mind that the author probably misquoted the actual charges. Perhaps something more along the lines of "illegal carrying of a firearm" would be more accurate. Surely we don't expect accuracy from our reporters in this day and age, though it would be nice.
On the other hand, Corpus Christi has several city ordnances which don't necessarily hold up under state law.
You're assuming that the driver was being reckless.
A 5 year old was playing in a luggage cart in the plot......
That is right, a FIVE year old.
Do you assume to hold a 5 year old more accountable than the driver of a car, who fled the scene, and later had abandoned the vehicle about a half-mile away like a criminal? How many innocent people do you think abandon their own vehicles? That is basically an admission of guilt.
Point is, the reaction of the kids father was rage and retaliation.......
Thanks, parrot Rabbi. Walk up to any 5 year old and smack him/her one time, the parents will send you to the ER. The police will need the jaws of life to pry them off you.
What percentage of real people do you think would react emotionally if and when their 5 year old was suddenly struck by a car? 90%? 95%?
If I saw a 5 year old in trouble even if not mine, I will react. It is instinct to protect the little ones.
cjlandry
09-13-2008, 08:33
That is right, a FIVE year old.
Do you assume to hold a 5 year old more accountable than the driver of a car, who fled the scene, and later had abandoned the vehicle about a half-mile away like a criminal? How many innocent people do you think abandon their own vehicles? That is basically an admission of guilt.
Not necessarily. 15 year olds who make mistakes tend to behave very irrationally. Imagine your emotional state if you were casually driving along (I can't believe that a high speed car could strike a luggage cart with a kid on it, without hurting that kid), when a luggage cart with a kid on it rolled out in front of you, and you didn't respond quickly enough to avoid hitting it. Imagine then, that you have the hormones and mental capacity of a 15 year old, in this time of sudden crisis. Take it further and imagine that, while you're already in a panic about what you just did, someone starts shooting in your general direction.
I don't expect that kid to behave any more rationally than the child's dad.
Thanks, parrot Rabbi. Walk up to any 5 year old and smack him/her one time, the parents will send you the ER. The police will need the jaws of life to pry them off you.
What percentage of real people do you think would react emotionally if and when their 5 year old was suddenly struck by a car? 90%? 95%?
If I saw a 5 year old in trouble even if not mine, I will react. It is instinct to protect the little ones.
Damn straight!
Like I said in other threads, I'd love to say that I'll behave rationally in such situations. However, I know I'd be lying to myself if I said that I know that I will.
The point here is that we can learn from the mistakes of others, and try and unlearn all of the things that will get us in trouble during a time when such a crisis suddenly confronts us from out of nowhere.
I'm not passing judgment on any of the parties involved. I'm just using the story to add to my database of what may happen in certain situations, and to try and figure out a way to do things differently, should that situation happen to me and mine.
txinvestigator
09-13-2008, 11:26
The charge was probably Unlawful Carry of a Weapon. The Sheriff is reporting it, and they don't deal with city ordinances. Besides, even the city guys would charge him with a state violation.
PeterJasonMN
09-13-2008, 11:28
Daddiiiiies don't let yo babies play on luggage caaaaaaaaaaarts....
If I saw a 5 year old in trouble even if not mine, I will react. It is instinct to protect the little ones.
Yes, instinct IS to protect the lil ones. But to shoot off a gun almost a dozen times when your child has ZERO injuries is a bit overreacting, don't you think? But I'm sure you think it's a justified reaction. MY first reaction is to take care of my child, NOT to go on a angry rampage.
bocephus549
09-13-2008, 12:50
Fired off 11 rounds and didn't hit the car?? Wonder what exactly he was shooting at??:faint: Would you go to the shooting range with this guy?
Fastdraw....:wavey:
Must have been a 9MM. Didn't penetrate the sheet metal.
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