Renisha McBride shot in Dearborn Hgts. while seeking help - 2nd Degree Murder charged

**Zacha341** · November-10-13, 08:16 AM

Investigating the alleged "accidental discharge" of homeowner's shotgun that killed Renisha McBride

Read more: http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/23921811/investigating-the-alleged-accidental-discharge-of-homeowners-shotgun-that-killed-renisha-mcbride#ixzz2kFRom57A

Renisha McBride, 19, Shot To Death On Metro Detroit Porch While Trying To Get Help, Family Says

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/1...n_4227760.html

Family seeks justice over shooting that was claimed to be accidental...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/1...n_4235468.html

**Lowell** · November-10-13, 10:28 AM

This tragic event is growing a big story, already garnering national attention, with racial profiling being questioned.

I can see no excuse for the shooting, shooter's claim that it was an accidental discharged included, assuming that it was an open porch and no break-in had occurred. If he was that worried why did he even open his door, as it seems he did? Why was his house chosen? There are not a lot of clear facts yet.

It seems all in the know are mum and, thankfully, calling for patience while the investigation proceeds.

Rightfully so as there are a couple of mysteries complicating the investigation. There is a two hour lapse between the accident, which occurred in the City of Detroit, and the shooting some distance away in Dearborn Heights. Then there is the issue of the shooter not reporting the shooting. Instead it was neighbors who called the police.

**Wesley Mouch** · November-10-13, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Lowell

This tragic event is growing a big story, already garnering national attention, with racial profiling being questioned.

I can see no excuse for the shooting, shooter's claim that it was an accidental discharged included, assuming that it was an open porch and no break-in had occurred. If he was that worried why did he even open his door, as it seems he did? Why was his house chosen? There are not a lot of clear facts yet.

It seems all in the know are mum and, thankfully, calling for patience while the investigation proceeds.

Rightfully so as there are a couple of mysteries complicating the investigation. There is a two hour lapse between the accident, which occurred in the City of Detroit, and the shooting some distance away in Dearborn Heights. Then there is the issue of the shooter not reporting the shooting. Instead it was neighbors who called the police.

'All in the know are mum' because that's the law. We expect our officials to investigate first, decide later.

I don't know the innocence or guilt of anyone here. I don't know what happened.

Neither do you. Be very careful before letting mob voices drive your thinking.

**Lowell** · November-10-13, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

'I don't know what happened.

Neither do you. Be very careful before letting mob voices drive your thinking.

No mob voice driving my thinking. I do know some of what happened. A 19 year old girl was shot and killed and the shooter claims it was an accidental discharge. We don't know all the circumstances and there is much unexplained. That clear in my post.

**WaCoTS** · November-13-13, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by Lowell

This tragic event is growing a big story, already garnering national attention

scuse me for this callous outburst, but why is the news media decrying these acts? arent they the ones who by trade have helped perpetuate and spice the racial paranoia that drives them, by continuing over the decades to post the most sensational racially-charged material they can find?

idk, sorry. i just have to guffaw when i see the media taking a moral stance on anything.

continue

**ccal** · November-10-13, 03:11 PM

I'd like to know why he didn't call 911 after the fact.

**DetroitPlanner** · November-11-13, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by ccal

I'd like to know why he didn't call 911 after the fact.

I would have dialed the second I heard someone trying to 'break in' at 2 am. This would have been before the fact.

Regardless, I am not going to second guess either the family or the owner as the only known witness is the owner. Let the police investigate, I don't think we have all the facts. Some say they saw her being dis-orientated. This could have been a factor. We also don't know by any accounts what his record is, if any.

**Meddle** · November-11-13, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

I would have dialed the second I heard someone trying to 'break in' at 2 am.

And in Dearborn Heights, you would probably get a car fairly quickly. At least in the past, they would run DUI patrols along Telegraph which is only about a half mile or so from there.

**cjd** · November-12-13, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by ccal

I'd like to know why he didn't call 911 after the fact.

According to reports today, the dispatcher indicated that the homeowner DID call 911 to report the shooting, at 4:45am.

That's why, like some others have said, its not worth speculating on what happened until the investigation is complete, or at least some detailed statements are released. There is much more to this story than is presently in the public domain [[e.g. What happened during those 2 hours after the crash, how did she approach the house, why that house, was there any confrontation, did he open the door, did she try to force her way in?).

**Cincinnati_Kid** · November-10-13, 06:17 PM

And why would he think a 19 year old women would be breaking into his home? Because she was black? Lame excuse for killing her. She was only seeking help, and he shoots her in the face? What has this world come to?

**corktownyuppie** · November-10-13, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

And why would he think a 19 year old women would be breaking into his home? Because she was black? Lame excuse for killing her. She was only seeking help, and he shoots her in the face? What has this world come to?

I'd say it wasn't so much that she was black...it was probably more that it was 2:30 am. But in either case, I agree...I can't imagine any facts that might justify this situation.

Now even with that...I still wanna hear all the facts before I firm up my conclusion.

**Wesley Mouch** · November-10-13, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

And why would he think a 19 year old women would be breaking into his home? Because she was black? Lame excuse for killing her. She was only seeking help, and he shoots her in the face? What has this world come to?

If what you say are facts, your conclusion is sound. What you are saying are not facts. Therefore you should not draw conclusions.

We don't know the facts. Let's not create them in the interest of establishing racism.

**Johnnny5** · November-10-13, 09:18 PM

It really is best to wait until there are some solid facts before labeling the guy a "murderer" or "racist". If the young woman was shot for doing nothing other than being black and seeking help from a stranger the shooter deserves to end up in prison. It's also a possibly that she was drunk or disorientated from the crash and trying to forcibly enter a strangers home at 3 in the morning. In that case I can understand the use of force by the homeowner.

**softailrider** · November-11-13, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Johnnny5

It really is best to wait until there are some solid facts before labeling the guy a "murderer" or "racist". If the young woman was shot for doing nothing other than being black and seeking help from a stranger the shooter deserves to end up in prison. It's also a possibly that she was drunk or disorientated from the crash and trying to forcibly enter a strangers home at 3 in the morning. In that case I can understand the use of force by the homeowner.

If she was inside and she posed a threat. I think shooting somebody who's TRYING to enter your house will get you legal fees and a possible jail cell.

**Johnnny5** · November-11-13, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by softailrider

If she was inside and she posed a threat. I think shooting somebody who's TRYING to enter your house will get you legal fees and a possible jail cell.

Those are risks anytime one chooses to use deadly force [[Justifiably or not). It really depends on what actually happened and obviously I can't say if this man was justified in using deadly force or not, but the castle doctrine laws in Michigan offer quite a bit of leeway to someone facing a serious threat in their home.

**aj3647** · November-10-13, 09:30 PM

You don't "accidentally" shoot a gun. The gun shoots because you pulled the trigger. And if he had his finger on the trigger, that means he was ready to kill. Basic rule of gun safety is to keep your finger off the trigger unless you are ready to shoot.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · November-11-13, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by aj3647

You don't "accidentally" shoot a gun. The gun shoots because you pulled the trigger. And if he had his finger on the trigger, that means he was ready to kill. Basic rule of gun safety is to keep your finger off the trigger unless you are ready to shoot.

Amen and + 1

**Gistok** · November-11-13, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by aj3647

You don't "accidentally" shoot a gun. The gun shoots because you pulled the trigger. And if he had his finger on the trigger, that means he was ready to kill. Basic rule of gun safety is to keep your finger off the trigger unless you are ready to shoot.

I second this comment. Not only did he have his hand ON the trigger... but he had it pointed at the girls face. Shotgun buck shot acts differently than a single bullet, and ricochet action is much different, if that were the case.

**iheartthed** · November-11-13, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by aj3647

You don't "accidentally" shoot a gun. The gun shoots because you pulled the trigger. And if he had his finger on the trigger, that means he was ready to kill. Basic rule of gun safety is to keep your finger off the trigger unless you are ready to shoot.

I was always taught to not point a gun at someone unless you are prepared to shoot them. I'm very interested to know how a young woman knocking on a door at any time of the day escalates to a gun being pointed in her face. Was it pointing in her face from the moment the door opened? If so, why?

**ccal** · November-11-13, 12:47 AM

But if it was honestly a mistake, why didn't he call 911, as a responsible gun owner his actions indicate he may have he knew he did something wrong. What else baffles me is how this case has been handled initially by the police.

**Wesley Mouch** · November-11-13, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by ccal

But if it was honestly a mistake, why didn't he call 911, as a responsible gun owner his actions indicate he may have he knew he did something wrong. What else baffles me is how this case has been handled initially by the police.

Well, we don't know the answer. We don't know what led up to his discharging of his weapon. What was his state of mind. What was the dead girl's state of mind.

To answer your question -- let me ask you whether you've ever shot someone to death at point blank range. And with a shotgun it was probably pretty ugly. Shooting someone is a traumatic incident.

I think its more likely that he collapsed in shock at the reality of what happened to her than that he would calmly pick up the phone and call the cops.

I see a lot of empathy for the girl, and little for the homeowner. Maybe when the facts come out he will deserve no sympathy. But I'll wait for the facts.

Until we know what happened, we shouldn't judge either of them.

**ccal** · November-11-13, 01:04 PM

I've never shot a firearm let alone a person but I'd agree that it might traumatic for the person who pulls the trigger but I'd have to imagine that it's probably 100 times more traumatic to the person who has had their face blown off.
I could care less about his emotional state after pulling the trigger, that shouldn't excuse his behavior afterwards.

Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

Well, we don't know the answer. We don't know what led up to his discharging of his weapon. What was his state of mind. What was the dead girl's state of mind.

To answer your question -- let me ask you whether you've ever shot someone to death at point blank range. And with a shotgun it was probably pretty ugly. Shooting someone is a traumatic incident.

I think its more likely that he collapsed in shock at the reality of what happened to her than that he would calmly pick up the phone and call the cops.

I see a lot of empathy for the girl, and little for the homeowner. Maybe when the facts come out he will deserve no sympathy. But I'll wait for the facts.

Until we know what happened, we shouldn't judge either of them.

**Wesley Mouch** · November-11-13, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by ccal

I've never shot a firearm let alone a person but I'd agree that it might traumatic for the person who pulls the trigger but I'd have to imagine that it's probably 100 times more traumatic to the person who has had their face blown off.
I could care less about his emotional state after pulling the trigger, that shouldn't excuse his behavior afterwards.

I don't know enough to need to excuse his behavior. I sure don't know enough to judge him at this point. Certainly the girl here experienced far worse trauma. We're not comparing trauma. We're only trying to discuss whether there's a reason why he didn't call 911 right away. We just don't know. Maybe he injured himself. Maybe he fell to the ground and knocked himself out. Maybe he was crying with remorse. We don't know.

But until we know facts, assigning blame is premature. Its called prejudice.

**Zacha341** · November-11-13, 12:02 PM

If it were a pump-action shot gun, it would needed to be 'racked' first, which takes a few seconds, then finger in the trigger hole, then pulled to fire... This kind of two-step shot gun rarely misfires. And then there was the safety [[on or off) factor as well. There needs to be more investigation on this tragic incident.

**Johnnny5** · November-11-13, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

If it were a pump-action shot gun, it would needed to be 'racked' first, which takes a few seconds, then finger in the trigger hole, then pulled to fire... This kind of two-step shot gun rarely misfires. And then there was the safety [[on or off) factor as well. There needs to be more investigation on this tragic incident.

You don't have to rack a pump action shotgun immediately before firing. A shell can be stored in the chamber and ready to fire, but to fire a second shot it would have to be racked.