Total People Killed by Concealed Carry Killers May 2007 to the Present
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Total People Killed by Concealed Carry Killers May 2007 to the Present The following vignettes describe the circumstances for all killings (private citizen, law enforcement, mass shootings, murder-suicide) not ruled self-defense by private individuals legally allowed to carry concealed handguns. The descriptions include the current, known status of any charges filed against the concealed carry killer as reported by news sources as well as noting instances where the perpetrator committed suicide. The Violence Policy Center welcomes any new information regarding the status of any case (with verifiable source(s)). Use this link to contact the VPC: http://www.vpc.org/contact.htm. Alabama Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Unidentified UNINTENTIONAL Date: November 14, 2018 People Killed: 1 Circumstances: On November 14, 2018, two-year-old Ke’Anthony Jelks, Jr. found his father’s gun and unintentionally shot himself in the face. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Ke’Anthony’s father had a concealed carry permit. According to Ke’Anthony’s great-grandmother, “The father had just gotten off work. And probably just set the gun somewhere, and like I said, children look around and play with stuff. And that just probably happened to fall in his eyesight. And he got it.” Sources: “Two-year-old toddler dies after he found father’s loaded weapon and accidentally shot himself in the face,” meaww.com, November 16, 2018. Alabama Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Dalton Martin Jowers PENDING Date: June 10, 2017 People Killed: 1 Circumstances: On June 10, 2017, concealed handgun permit holder Dalton Martin Jowers, 19, allegedly shot and killed Lauren Wright, 17, outside a home where Wright was visiting friends. Wright and Jowers were known to each other and police were investigating whether the shooting was a homicide or unintentional death. Police said a 9mm handgun was used in the shooting. Jowers was arrested and charged with murder. According to press reports, the arrest warrant stated, “Jowers engaged in conduct that manifested an extreme indifference to human life and recklessly discharged a 9mm firearm causing the death of Wright.” Sources: “Slain Fairhope HS graduate was killed with a 9mm firearm, court documents reveal,” www.al.com, June 13, 2017; “Demopolis chief: Shooter in Fairhope teen’s death tells police it was an accident, www.fox10tv.com, June 12, 2017. Alabama Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Ryan Clark Petersen CONVICTED Date: August 9, 2012 People Killed: 3 Circumstances: On August 9, 2012, concealed handgun permit holder Ryan Clark Petersen allegedly shot and killed Cameron Eubanks, 20, Tiffany Grissett, 31, and Thomas Robins, Jr., 39, at Teasers, a nightclub located 12 miles west of Dothan, Alabama. Surveillance videos showed Petersen going outside the club after becoming involved in an altercation with employees and others inside. He is alleged to have retrieved his handgun from his vehicle and, upon his return to the club, pulled the Glock pistol from his coat pocket and fired. According to the prosecution, Petersen lied about his mental and drug issues in order to join the Navy and obtain a pistol permit. Petersen is charged with capital murder. UPDATE: In December 2016, Ryan Clark Petersen was found guilty of four counts of capital murder in the 2012 shooting at Teasers Nightclub. In January 2017, a jury recommended Petersen be put to death, voting 10-2 for the death penalty following two hours of deliberation. Sources: “Jury recommends death penalty in Wicksburg nightclub murders,” Dothan Eagle, January 5, 2017; “Petersen guilty of capital murder in 2012 Teasers killings,” Dothan Eagle, December 22, 2016; “Valeska shows jury crime scene photos in capital murder trial,” www.wtvy.com, December 7, 2016. Alabama # Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Tykee Smith PENDING Date: August 2, 2014 People Killed: 1 Circumstances: On August 2, 2014, concealed handgun permit holder Tykee Smith, 19, allegedly shot and killed Charles David Thomas, 20, following an argument. Thomas had reportedly been in an argument with Smith’s mother, with whom Thomas had fathered two children. According to police, Thomas and Smith got into an argument outside a residence and after the argument escalated the two exchanged gunfire. Thomas was struck and died at the scene. Smith was questioned by detectives and released after claiming self defense in the shooting, but a warrant was later issued for his arrest. Smith turned himself in and was released a short time later on a $2,500 bond. Smith has been charged with murder. Source: “19-year-old killed the 20-year-old father of his 2 half-siblings in self-defense, attorney says,” al.com, August 6, 2014. Alabama Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Adrian Laroze Briskey CONVICTED Date: November 30, 2013 People Killed: 1 Circumstances: On November 30, 2013, concealed handgun permit holder Adrian Laroze Briskey, 31, shot and killed Michelle Shepherd, 36, following an argument at a 2013 “Iron Bowl” party. Briskey and Shepherd were at a party to watch the football game between Alabama and Auburn, and began arguing after the game ended. Shepherd and her sister were joking around about the Miami Heat, and Briskey became angry that they were not more upset over Alabama’s loss to Auburn in the football game. Briskey then went to her car and got her gun as Shepherd and her sister were going to their car. Briskey shot Shepherd three or four times, killing her. Briskey was charged with murder and later pleaded guilty to reckless manslaughter. She was sentenced to 14 years and nine months in prison. Source: “Fairfield woman sentenced for 2013 Iron Bowl party shooting death,” al.com, July 26, 2016. Alabama # Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Tracey Grissom CONVICTED Date: May 15, 2012 People Killed: 1 Circumstances: On May 15, 2012, concealed handgun permit holder Tracey Grissom, 30, allegedly shot and killed her ex-husband Hunter Daniel Grissom, 28, as he stood next to his vehicle at the Binion Creek boat landing. Tracey Grissom told investigators that she pulled into the parking lot to take a picture for use in a pending lawsuit and her ex- husband saw her sitting in her car. According to Tracey “he gave her a mean look and an obscene gesture.” She told investigators that she exited her vehicle and “shot him until the gun was empty.” Deputies found Hunter Grissom lying face down next to his vehicle. According to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff, there has been previous domestic violence cases involving the couple. Grissom was arrested and charged with murder. UPDATE: On August 7, 2014, Tracey Grissom was found guilty of murder in the death of her ex-husband. On September 2, 2014, Grissom was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Source: “Tracey Grissom sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing her ex-husband,” myfoxal.com, September 2, 2014; “Tracey Grissom convicted of murdering allegedly abusive ex-husband; prosecutors said she wanted $103,000 in insurance,” al.com, August 7, 2014; “Updated: Woman charged with murder in ex-husband’s shooting death at Lake Tuscaloosa boat landing,” al.com, May 15, 2012. Alabama Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Dontavious Stepford Macon PENDING Date: December 15, 2011 People Killed: 1 Circumstances: On December 15, 2011, concealed handgun permit holder Dontavious Stepford Macon allegedly shot and killed Jade Morgan, following a dispute over stolen Christmas presents. According to Macon, prior to the shooting, the apartment where he, his fiancée, and five children lived had been “cleaned out,” with even the Christmas presents stolen. Macon’s cousin told Macon that he had bought some of the presents back from Morgan, his sister’s boyfriend. Macon went to his sister’s apartment to prove Morgan had taken them. Macon claims that when he arrived, Morgan and a friend were outside drinking and that Morgan fired at him and his family. Macon fired back, killing Morgan. Macon claims he fired in self defense. Macon had initially agreed to plead guilty to manslaughter, believing he would get community corrections or probation, but when he learned he would go to prison for up to two to five years, he changed his plea to not guilty. The case is slated to go to trial on January 28, 2019. Source: “Macon rejects manslaughter plea, opts for trial,” waltonsun.com, October 6, 2018. Alabama # Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Bart Johnson convicted Date: December 3, 2009 People Killed: 1 Law Enforcement Officers Killed: 1 Circumstances: On December 3, 2009, Bart Johnson shot and killed Pelham, Alabama, police officer Philip Davis during a routine traffic stop. Officer Davis had stopped Johnson for speeding. According to videotape from the officer’s patrol car, Davis and Johnson spoke briefly, and Davis then went to write Johnson a ticket. Upon his return, Johnson told Davis that his brother was a police officer. Officer Davis replied, “Why didn’t you tell me that before? Let me have his name and number so I can tell him what happened.” Then, “unprovoked and without a word, Johnson fired one shot, striking Davis in the face.” Johnson fled the scene, abandoned his Acura, and attempted to break into another vehicle. When he was noticed by someone, Johnson displayed his gun and waved the person away. He was later picked up by his brother and surrendered to authorities. A local pharmacist, Johnson obtained a concealed weapons permit in 2007 and renewed it in 2008 and 2009. He is charged with capital murder. UPDATE: On May 12, 2011, Bart Johnson was found guilty of capital murder in the death of Officer Davis. He was convicted on two counts, one for the murder of an off- duty police officer and one for causing death by shooting into an occupied vehicle. On June 16, 2011, Johnson was sentenced to death by lethal injection.