Thin Blue Line: Charlotte Mecklenburg Sheriff

Tuesday, 18 December 2012

Charlotte Mecklenburg Sheriff

A suspected thief was shot to death by an off-duty firefighter in northwest Charlotte after it appeared he was stealing a trailer from the fireman's home, WBTV has learned.Police said they determined that no charges will be filed in the case because the suspect was accelerating a vehicle in the direction of the fireman, who then fired his gun.The incident began when officers were called a home along Travis Floyd Lane just before midnight Monday to the report of a possible larceny. Officers were told that a late model Ford Ranger had just hooked up to a white trailer at a home and someone was trying to steal it.According to CMPD, the trailer was being stolen from Israel Jeremiah Harthorne.In recent weeks, North Carolina enacted the Castle Doctrine, which may have helped in this case.The new law offers protection from prosecution for property owners who use deadly force, when their lives are in danger. Gun store owner Larry Hyatt believes it helps the average person."For the first time I remember, it's giving the good citizen an edge over the criminal," he said.In recent weeks D.A. Andrew Murray went on record to support the new bill, and it's a decision that plays well at places like Hyatt's where guns are sold. Jeffery Paddyfoote is a local gun owner who wants the law to be on his side.