As I was reading the Knoxville News Sentinel today, I saw an article that would make Kim du Toit do a "Happy Dance" out in the street. I thought I'd share, so here's the whole thing:
Man shoots stepson to halt beating of auntWoman, wounded man are taken to hospitals
By BRYAN MITCHELL, mitchellb@knews.com
September 29, 2004A Knox County man shot his stepson once in the stomach Tuesday afternoon to stop a beating the stepson was giving to his aunt, authorities said.
The shooting occurred about 5:30 p.m. at a home in the Cabot Ridge subdivision in West Knox County near the Loudon County line.
Matt Hinton was working in a nearby yard when Knox County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived at 12615 Ridge Path Lane.
"They flew up here, drew their guns and ran down toward the house," the Irrigation Works employee said.
Sheriff's deputies found Albert Cannon with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. A Rural/Metro ambulance took him to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, according to Knox County Sheriff Tim Hutchison.
Cannon was listed in stable condition Tuesday night.
Ronnie Chandler, no age available, shot Cannon with his 9mm pistol after he was unable to stop Cannon from beating his aunt, Hutchison said.
"No one could stop it, so the stepfather went and got a gun and shot him," Hutchison said.
The alleged assault began after Cannon's aunt, Debra Waggoner, came to the Chandler home to talk with Cannon, Hutchison said.
Waggoner, 48, approached Cannon about the fact that his lawyer had questioned Waggoner's daughter, who Cannon allegedly assaulted last year, Hutchison said. The lawyer had questioned Waggoner's 18-year-old daughter earlier Tuesday at the college she attends, authorities said.
Hutchison said no charges have been filed against Cannon because authorities were unable to speak with Waggoner to determine if she wants to press charges.
Waggoner was taken to Parkwest Medical Center. Her injuries were not life threatening.
Hutchison said no charges will be filed against Chandler, who owns Chandler Greenscapes, a landscaping firm.
"It was obviously self-defense," Hutchison said. "All he wanted to do was stop him from assaulting his aunt."
The sheriff said Cannon would have to find a new place to live.
"His stepfather told him not to come back," Hutchison said.
Bryan Mitchell may be reached at 865-342-6306.
Get Copyright Clearance Copyright 2004, Knoxville News-Sentinel Co.
I think that Mr. Mitchell did a fine job of reporting this piece. He mentioned the type and caliber of the firearm in question, and that the local authorities view this as a "self defense" issue. Gotta love seeing this type of thing being reported properly.
Posted by Johnny - Oh at September 29, 2004 09:42 PMHeh. Now that one just warms the icy cockles of my gunslinger's heart :-)
Posted by: Harvey at September 30, 2004 11:44 AMNotice this happened in the SOUTH. That justice would not have been served elsewhere, guaran-damn-teed.
Posted by: Boudicca at September 30, 2004 10:21 PMYeeee - Haw! Bou! There's something about the South that says "Sure, you're allright, but attack me and mine, and you're gonna get an Ass Whuppin' you won't believe". Aywhere else would have had a lawsuit to attempt to try Chandler for Reckless Endangerment or some such bullshit. I'm proud to be a citizen of a state that is a part of "The South". I'm originally of a "Yankee" extraction, but I've lived and worked in the South most of my life. Most of you have heard my accent. You tell me.
Posted by: Johnny - Oh at September 30, 2004 10:44 PMWaggoner is 47 years old and she didn't go to Cannon's home to confront him. She went to the home to confront Cannon's mother because she is the one who gave Cannon's lawyers the where abouts of her 18 year old daughter. She wanted me to clear up a few things about that situation because I called her and filled her in on what's being said on the net. Oh by the way the head injuries she suffered she had to have 8 staples put in her head and there is also still a hole in her scalp
Posted by: Me at October 6, 2004 02:32 PM