Cleaning crew member shot and killed on porch after arriving at the wrong house

[Lebowski]

does anyone the times when he called 911, when he fired the gun, and when the cops arrived?

 

[IceIce9]

I might agree with manslaughter, were it not for the fact that the shooter had already called 911, and had looked from an upstairs window and seen the people they were shooting at. They saw them there and made a conscious decision to go downstairs and shoot with no warning. Thats murder. Premeditated at that. JMO

Shooting through a door when you know someone is standing in front of it = murder

 

[IceIce9]

Community demands justice, rallies for cleaning worker killed in Whitestown

The community showed up at The Boone County Prosecutor's Office all day Monday to support the family of Maria Florinda Rios Perez.

www.wthr.com

Justice for Maria in Spanish and English covered posters outside the prosecutor's office for hours. As cars drove by, they honked their horns in support of everyone rallying outside.

Belinda Cozzy-Powers from Boone County attended the peace gathering on Monday.
Cozzy-Powers says, "I'm here to support this family for from a senseless crime. A victim of homicide myself in this county, unsolved, and I felt like it was my duty to come and support them."

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

the fact that he moved towards them, upstairs to downstairs, is an additional problem for the idea that he reasonably believed he had no choice but to shoot them.

I’m not sure how they would come into play legally. You don’t have a duty to retreat. imo

 

[Lebowski]

I’m not sure how they would come into play legally. You don’t have a duty to retreat. imo

right, and i thought about that. but the word "necessary" still means it has to be your last option. and if you approach the people you're saying you were in fear of, you are narrowing your options yourself. also casts doubt on just how afraid you really are.

 

[katydid23]

the fact that he moved towards them, upstairs to downstairs, is an additional problem for the idea that he reasonably believed he had no choice but to shoot them.

He may have felt like he was protecting his wife by doing so. In his mind he was trying to put a barrier up by coming closer to the entry?

 

[tara83]

He may have felt like he was protecting his wife by doing so. In his mind he was trying to put a barrier up by coming closer to the entry?

That doesn't make sense. Keep your wife and yourself as far away from danger as possible.

 

[Rolypolyoly]

He may have felt like he was protecting his wife by doing so. In his mind he was trying to put a barrier up by coming closer to the entry?

But he had called 911, they were upstairs where they could have hidden, or possibly even gone out the back and waited for LE. Nobody was in his house and the door was still closed and locked. There was already a barrier protecting his wife.

 

[katydid23]

But he had called 911, they were upstairs where they could have hidden, or possibly even gone out the back and waited for LE. Nobody was in his house and the door was still closed and locked. There was already a barrier protecting his wife.

Oh, I agree. I'm just describing how he may have been reacting. People go into Fight or Flight mode---he was obviously in Fight mode, which was the wrong reaction. Shooting through the door is indefensible.

But going downstairs with the gun, IN CASE they came through the front door seems like a good strategy, if you really believe they were intruders.

Many would choose to hide upstairs, but if it was a real home invasion, that could have been a big error if LE was not there in time.

OBVIOUSLY he was wrong to shoot through the door. That is unforgivable.

But I don't think he was wrong to station himself downstairs in case the 'intruders' came inside.

I wish he had yelled a warning through the upstairs window. That was stupid to not give a verbal warning, imo.

But I understand why they didnt run out the back. If it was a home invasion, there is sometimes others outside watching the exits, etc.

I only know all of this because we have had a rash of home invasions in the past several months. Many were gang members who came to LA just to commit these home invasions. They break in with 3,4, 5, 6 or more intruders----once they are in they tie up the residents, sometimes forcing them to go to the ATM to get cash, etc. It is terrifying.

So my husband and I have thought these scenarios through. There were two daytime break-ins, while residents were home, on my street! So I have hd to consider what our reactions would be. Hiding and waiting to see if they find us is not the best option, imo.

At that point you are powerless. I really think the best option is to get the drop on them when they first enter the home. But I hope to never find that out.

Elderly man killed in home invasion

A suspect was arrested after killing an elderly man and brutally attacking his wife during a home invasion in Murrieta.

www.foxla.com

3 arrested in connection with killing of homeowner during home invasion robbery in Woodland Hills

The Los Angeles Police Department has arrested three people wanted in a violent home invasion robbery and murder in Woodland Hills.

abc7.com

 

[Rolypolyoly]

Oh, I agree. I'm just describing how he may have been reacting. People go into Fight or Flight mode---he was obviously in Fight mode, which was the wrong reaction. Shooting through the door is indefensible.

But going downstairs with the gun, IN CASE they came through the front door seems like a good strategy, if you really believe they were intruders.

Many would choose to hide upstairs, but if it was a real home invasion, that could have been a big error if LE was not there in time.

OBVIOUSLY he was wrong to shoot through the door. That is unforgivable.

But I don't think he was wrong to station himself downstairs in case the 'intruders' came inside.

I wish he had yelled a warning through the upstairs window. That was stupid to not give a verbal warning, imo.

But I understand why they didnt run out the back. If it was a home invasion, there is sometimes others outside watching the exits, etc.

I only know all of this because we have had a rash of home invasions in the past several months. Many were gang members who came to LA just to commit these home invasions. They break in with 3,4, 5, 6 or more intruders----once they are in they tie up the residents, sometimes forcing them to go to the ATM to get cash, etc. It is terrifying.

So my husband and I have thought these scenarios through. There were two daytime break-ins, while residents were home, on my street! So I have hd to consider what our reactions would be. Hiding and waiting to see if they find us is not the best option, imo.

At that point you are powerless. I really think the best option is to get the drop on them when they first enter the home. But I hope to never find that out.

Elderly man killed in home invasion

A suspect was arrested after killing an elderly man and brutally attacking his wife during a home invasion in Murrieta.

www.foxla.com

3 arrested in connection with killing of homeowner during home invasion robbery in Woodland Hills

The Los Angeles Police Department has arrested three people wanted in a violent home invasion robbery and murder in Woodland Hills.

abc7.com

That is truly awful, and so close to you I also sincerely hope you never have to find out.
I dont disagree with your point about being ready if someone breaches the door, it becomes an entirely different situation then!

 

[DropthePuck]

We are not talking about me. But what should be standard procedure when going to clean a home. Knock first or ring the doorbell.

In their defense though, they were going to clean a model home and those homes usually have noone living in them. They probably figured it was pointless to knock first or ring the doorbell since it would be empty.

ETA: And I see someone already made this point. Sorry for the duplicate post.

 

[katydid23]

That is truly awful, and so close to you I also sincerely hope you never have to find out.
I dont disagree with your point about being ready if someone breaches the door, it becomes an entirely different situation then!

Exactly. I really don't want to sound like I am defending this idiot who shot through the door. I doubt that this little Indiana suburb had a violent trend of home invasions.

But I do understand some of their reactions.

One night around midnight I was laying on the living room sofa , scrolling WS. My husband was out of town.

I saw a figure walk past my front picture window and then immediately I heard a jostling of my front door, trying to open it.

I was frozen in fear. I then saw the figure walk back the other way, but was still standing on my front porch, standing still.

I called 911 on my cell. half whispering, saying someone tried to open my front door.

It too 40 minutes for LAPD to arrive. And they were pretty dismissive, sayi9ng it was probably a drunk trying to get into his house.

Our house is VERY different than any of the other homes here---it has a very unusual front yard foliage and crooked cobblestone path to the front porch and a double driveway, with two parked cars. NO WAY they thought it was their house.

The cops did agree to my request that they thoroughly check my backyard. And I saw their 2 flashlights go all the way back as we have a very large backyard.

But my heart was pounding and I could not sleep until the sun came up. So I have to admit, if there were 2 people on my porch, fiddling with my front door, I would be very scared and I would go get our gun from the lockbox.

I would NEVER shoot through the door---but if they opened the door and stepped inside, I'm not sure what I'd do. I HOPE I'd notice a woman with cleaning supplies and just tell her to leave. I really do. I'm just saying that I would be ready to shoot if they came through my door because of the recent attacks on homeowners in my neighbourhood. It's frightening and does kind of take over your life. But I'd like to think I'd give them a chance to explain.

Reading about cases on WS probably doesn't help any.

After 'American Idol' exec killing and other recent break-ins, Encino residents demand LAPD action

Encino community leaders want increased security, including police drones, following the killing of a couple and several home invasions in their neighborhood. The LAPD has already responded by adding patrols.

www.latimes.com

It marked the third time in recent months that LAPD officers went to a location in the San Fernando Valley after receiving a 911 call and left, only to return later to a homicide.


Neighbors called 911 and reported hearing shouting and a struggle coming from the apartment. Officers responded to those calls, knocked on the door and left without finding anything. A 27-year-old man was later charged with killing Hidra.

The same day that Hidra’s body was discovered, police found the body of Aleksandre Modebadze, who was beaten to death inside his Woodland Hills home. In that case, a woman inside the home called LAPD about 12:30 a.m. and reported three people had broken into her home and were beating her significant other before the call suddenly cut out, according to law enforcement sources.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

I’m not sure how they would come into play legally. You don’t have a duty to retreat. imo

If you're trying to show that you felt your life was in danger, what are you doing going toward the danger? Preemptively shooting someone doesn't fly. If there's any justice in the world, this will be punished at least under a charge of manslaughter.

MOO.

 

[Friday Fan]

RSBM. They also were given a set of keys to the model home, which would indicate no lock box at the property.

The lockbox where I volunteer has the keys in it. Some people have actual keys, but everyone else just punches in the code to access the keys.

 

[MrsWatson]

Link to crime stats in Whitestown.
This is not a crime ridden area, imo.

Whitestown Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout

Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Whitestown, IN. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Whitestown is 1 in 870 and property crime is 1 in 92. Compare Whitestown crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout.

www.neighborhoodscout.com

 

[Rolypolyoly]

Exactly. I really don't want to sound like I am defending this idiot who shot through the door. I doubt that this little Indiana suburb had a violent trend of home invasions.

But I do understand some of their reactions.

One night around midnight I was laying on the living room sofa , scrolling WS. My husband was out of town.

I saw a figure walk past my front picture window and then immediately I heard a jostling of my front door, trying to open it.

I was frozen in fear. I then saw the figure walk back the other way, but was still standing on my front porch, standing still.

I called 911 on my cell. half whispering, saying someone tried to open my front door.

It too 40 minutes for LAPD to arrive. And they were pretty dismissive, sayi9ng it was probably a drunk trying to get into his house.

Our house is VERY different than any of the other homes here---it has a very unusual front yard foliage and crooked cobblestone path to the front porch and a double driveway, with two parked cars. NO WAY they thought it was their house.

The cops did agree to my request that they thoroughly check my backyard. And I saw their 2 flashlights go all the way back as we have a very large backyard.

But my heart was pounding and I could not sleep until the sun came up. So I have to admit, if there were 2 people on my porch, fiddling with my front door, I would be very scared and I would go get our gun from the lockbox.

I would NEVER shoot through the door---but if they opened the door and stepped inside, I'm not sure what I'd do. I HOPE I'd notice a woman with cleaning supplies and just tell her to leave. I really do. I'm just saying that I would be ready to shoot if they came through my door because of the recent attacks on homeowners in my neighbourhood. It's frightening and does kind of take over your life. But I'd like to think I'd give them a chance to explain.

Reading about cases on WS probably doesn't help any.

After 'American Idol' exec killing and other recent break-ins, Encino residents demand LAPD action

Encino community leaders want increased security, including police drones, following the killing of a couple and several home invasions in their neighborhood. The LAPD has already responded by adding patrols.

www.latimes.com

It marked the third time in recent months that LAPD officers went to a location in the San Fernando Valley after receiving a 911 call and left, only to return later to a homicide.


Neighbors called 911 and reported hearing shouting and a struggle coming from the apartment. Officers responded to those calls, knocked on the door and left without finding anything. A 27-year-old man was later charged with killing Hidra.

The same day that Hidra’s body was discovered, police found the body of Aleksandre Modebadze, who was beaten to death inside his Woodland Hills home. In that case, a woman inside the home called LAPD about 12:30 a.m. and reported three people had broken into her home and were beating her significant other before the call suddenly cut out, according to law enforcement sources.

40 minutes???? Thats awful

I completely understand your points, especially with everything going on in your neighbourhood, its really not something I can imagine living here in a quiet village in the UK. I dont lock our doors until I go to bed, which is sometimes as late as 3am, and my next door neighbour doesn't lock hers at all , and its very helpful to hear your perspective.

I do believe from reading your posts on many different cases that you would still be level headed and calm enough to take a beat and read the situation if someone entered your home, and not instantly shoot, maybe because of your extensive reading here, but you are right that we can never be 100% certain until we are faced with the situation in real life.

Also want to add that I personally didnt think for a minute that you were defending the shooter in this case

 

[Friday Fan]

When things like this happen, I always think of this case. It still makes me mad to this day.

It made national news.

My blood boiled over it and it still does.

Foreign exchange student shot when he went to the wrong house.

Hattori and his friend were going to a Halloween Party.
Hattori may have had limited English comprehension etc.

Homeowners were found not guilty.

Killing of Yoshihiro Hattori - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[inmyhumbleopinion]

When things like this happen, I always think of this case. It still makes me mad to this day.

It made national news.

My blood boiled over it and it still does.

Foreign exchange student shot when he went to the wrong house.

Hattori and his friend were going to a Halloween Party.
Hattori may have had limited English comprehension etc.

Homeowners were found not guilty.

Killing of Yoshihiro Hattori - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Every single time, I think of this case.

 

[legalmomma]

On at noon EST

 

[louvillian08]

does anyone the times when he called 911, when he fired the gun, and when the cops arrived?

From the article I linked in a previous comment:

"(homeowner) called 911 at 6:49 a.m. Wednesday to report two Hispanic people trying to break in while he and his wife were in an upstairs bedroom.
Police confirmed the couple had accidentally arrived at 4283 Maize Lane in The Heritage development, which is adjacent to Windswept Farms.
Records indicate the homeowner fired a weapon at about 6:54 a.m. and Mauricio called at 6:57 a.m. saying he showed up for work and someone shot his wife."