Ultrahumanite
06-30-2004, 01:03 PM
Every time I read a story like this, it sends a warm glow to the center of my heart. Way to go, Gramps!
Intruder gunned down by retiree
By Casey Ross
Friday, June 18, 2004
A retired New Bedford private eye blasted multiple gunshots into an intruder who died early yesterday after staggering into the street and collapsing face down on the pavement, police and neighbors said.
The pre-dawn shooting in a hardscrabble city neighborhood cheered some residents who said they were glad to see someone fighting back against escalating street violence.
``My first thought when I heard he was shot was, `Good,' '' said June DeBarros ``But then I thought, `What a shame, another statistic.' ''
Police identified the slain intruder as Frank Perreira, 24, but wouldn't say whether he was armed or where he was when shot.
DeBarros said she had a run-in with the prowler earlier when he snatched her purse and ran off.
Police said the young man's luck ran out when he broke into the Ashley Boulevard home of Charles Chieppa, who confronted the intruder with a gun.
``Shots rang out, and police received a 911 call,'' New Bedford police Lt. Richard Spirlet said. ``We found a male in the gutter bleeding from the torso.''
No charges have been filed against Chieppa although police said they are still investigating.
State law allows residents to defend themselves in their homes if they have a ``reasonable belief'' an intruder intends to seriously hurt or kill them. What constitutes a reasonable belief is left up to juries to sort out, said Suffolk University Law School professor Marc Perlin.
``I guess someone could be in fear of great bodily injury by an unarmed person,'' Perlin said. ``It depends a lot on the context. How far away is the person? Is he in the other room?''
A neighbor said a shaken Chieppa walked out of his house shortly after the 4 a.m. shooting in a bathrobe and slippers and was taken by ambulance to St. Luke's Hospital for evaluation.
A hospital spokeswoman said Chieppa, who couldn't be reached yesterday, was released.
Meanwhile, neighbors said the former private investigator for local companies was troubled by crime and violence in the neighborhood that had led to previous attempted break-ins at his home.
``Crime has elevated tremendously around here and he was fed up with it,'' said Alfred Silva, whose family owns Alfie's Bar next door. ``He was trying to sell his house and get out of there.''
Intruder gunned down by retiree
By Casey Ross
Friday, June 18, 2004
A retired New Bedford private eye blasted multiple gunshots into an intruder who died early yesterday after staggering into the street and collapsing face down on the pavement, police and neighbors said.
The pre-dawn shooting in a hardscrabble city neighborhood cheered some residents who said they were glad to see someone fighting back against escalating street violence.
``My first thought when I heard he was shot was, `Good,' '' said June DeBarros ``But then I thought, `What a shame, another statistic.' ''
Police identified the slain intruder as Frank Perreira, 24, but wouldn't say whether he was armed or where he was when shot.
DeBarros said she had a run-in with the prowler earlier when he snatched her purse and ran off.
Police said the young man's luck ran out when he broke into the Ashley Boulevard home of Charles Chieppa, who confronted the intruder with a gun.
``Shots rang out, and police received a 911 call,'' New Bedford police Lt. Richard Spirlet said. ``We found a male in the gutter bleeding from the torso.''
No charges have been filed against Chieppa although police said they are still investigating.
State law allows residents to defend themselves in their homes if they have a ``reasonable belief'' an intruder intends to seriously hurt or kill them. What constitutes a reasonable belief is left up to juries to sort out, said Suffolk University Law School professor Marc Perlin.
``I guess someone could be in fear of great bodily injury by an unarmed person,'' Perlin said. ``It depends a lot on the context. How far away is the person? Is he in the other room?''
A neighbor said a shaken Chieppa walked out of his house shortly after the 4 a.m. shooting in a bathrobe and slippers and was taken by ambulance to St. Luke's Hospital for evaluation.
A hospital spokeswoman said Chieppa, who couldn't be reached yesterday, was released.
Meanwhile, neighbors said the former private investigator for local companies was troubled by crime and violence in the neighborhood that had led to previous attempted break-ins at his home.
``Crime has elevated tremendously around here and he was fed up with it,'' said Alfred Silva, whose family owns Alfie's Bar next door. ``He was trying to sell his house and get out of there.''