OK, Second Amendment fans, was this a justified arrest or a justified shooting?
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — The owner of a South Texas convenience store has been arrested for murder after shooting a man attempting to steal beer from his shop.
Rodney James Duve was being held Sunday in the Nueces County jail with bond set at $35,000. Corpus Christi police say a 39-year-old man came into his store Saturday evening and took a 12-pack of beer before attempting to flee.
The 52-year-old Duve was arrested at the store. The robbery suspect, who has not been identified, was taken to a hospital where he died.
On the one hand, death seems a little harsh for the crime of shoplifting. But if a store owner isn't allowed to shoot a thief, how does holding a gun on him until police arrive work exactly? At the point where the robber is leaving the store, the imminent threat isn't there for the owner, so he can't use that as a justification.
I think I'd feel a little stronger about this if it were a homeowner instead of a business owner. If someone comes uninvited into my house, I presume violence on his part is a real possibility and will act accordingly.
