Could the vortex of weird crime, the global center of mind-boggling dumbassery, be shifting down the west coast from Washington to Oregon?
Dan writes: “It’s well south of Kitsap County, but maybe the insanity is catching…”
“Witness to iPhone thefts shoots at suspects, faces own arrest.”
Witter witnessed the theft and, instead of waiting for police, he took off after the men, firing at their getaway car.
He told police he intended to “shoot out the tires,” but it is unclear where the rounds ended up, though police said he fired in a direct line with the Gresham City Hall Max station and the adjacent Park & Ride.
“Witter, a customer at the store, told police he didn’t feel that his own life – or anyone else’s – was in danger. He said he was trying to help police.”
Guess what? He didn’t.
Officers ended up arresting Witter, accusing him of unlawful use of a weapon, reckless endangerment disorderly conduct and unlawful discharge of a firearm. His handgun and concealed weapons permit were seized.
“It is important to remember that no matter how frustrated one may be with crime and the criminal justice system, it is not permissible to use deadly force in this type of situation,” Gresham Sgt. Rick Wilson said in announcing Witter’s arrest. “Those two rounds could’ve gone anywhere. In fact, we’re still not sure where they went. They could’ve struck an innocent bystander or damaged property.”
Says a local gun lobbyist: “I can understand his desire to be helpful. But it was not the thing to do. You can’t shoot someone’s tires out; it’s just not TV.”
I’ll have more to say about “It’s not TV” soon. But for now: You know you’ve shown fatally bad judgment when the frickin’ gun lobbyists shake their heads at your stupidity.
As my dad used to say: God save me from people with good intentions.
Unofficially, he was charged with being an idiot.