Fremont man fatally shot by son attacked children with nail-covered bat
By Natalie Neysa Alund and Erin Ivie
Bay Area News Group Posted: 01/17/2013 08:56:32 AM PST Updated: 01/17/2013 08:56:40 AM PST
FREMONT -- Officials have identified 48-year-old David Weatherton as the man fatally shot by his son last week in what police are calling an act of self-defense, saying the man attacked two of his children with a baseball bat covered in nails.
Police are calling Weatherton's death a justifiable homicide, saying that the son shot the father Jan. 10 to protect himself and his brother -- as the older man attacked them with the bat.
A preliminary investigation by police and the Alameda County District Attorney's Office revealed that Weatherton's 27-year-old son, who lived in the home in the 39500 block of Pardee Court, shot him one time in the chest with a handgun, killing him in self-defense during the dispute, police spokeswoman Geneva Bosques said.
"At this time (the son) is not being charged," Bosques said. "It was a family dispute between the father and two sons and two (others) were present."
Police are not releasing the identity of the son, who turned himself in about two hours after the shooting, Bosques said. Information about what led to the fight has not been released.
The dispute began when an agitated Weatherton arrived at his son's home and began calling for one of his sons as he walked to the backyard where they were gathered, Bosques said. When the brothers saw their father, he was carrying the baseball bat with nails driven into it.
It is unknown if Weatherton arrived with the weapon, or if he found it in his son's home, Bosques said.
Despite the brothers' attempts to calm their father, Weatherton went after his 25-year-old son and then turned on his older son when he tried to intervene, Bosques said. The man fired one shot into his father's chest as he charged toward him with the weapon.
Police arrived at the home at 5:28 p.m. Jan. 10 and found the younger son, who had been struck by the bat, outside on the lawn with an unidentified female, Bosques said. The younger son was not taken to a hospital and details about his injuries were unknown. The older son had left the house with another friend before police arrived.
About two hours later, at 7:20 p.m., the older son walked into Fremont police headquarters, identified himself and surrendered the weapon he said was used in the shooting, police said. Investigators interviewed him and released him that night.
Bosques said it wasn't the first time officers had responded to incidents involving the family.
"We have had contact with the (father and son) in the past, including drug-related incidents," she said. "We do not know if drugs are a factor at this time. But the case is not closed as we are awaiting results of toxicology tests and an autopsy report," which will be available in about four weeks, Bosques said.
The man's family declined requests for comment Wednesday.
"The family is grieving," Bosques said. "It's traumatic ... they're pretty shaken by what's happened."
I bet that L4Life loves watching COPS! He seems obsessed with this stuff!
Bad boys bad boys... what ya gonna do
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
Police: 82-year-old Mo. man shoots intruder Posted: Jan 19, 2013 3:36 PM EST Updated: Jan 19, 2013 3:41 PM EST James Long - email
Charles L. White (Source: Vinelink) Charles L. White (Source: Vinelink)
ELLSINORE, MO (KFVS) -
Police say an 82-year-old Ellsinore man shot a man who reportedly broke into his home Friday night.
It happened shortly after 7:30 p.m. on North Herren Street.
According to Carter County Sheriff Richard Stephens, Charles L. White, 30, of Ellsinore, broke into the residence and assaulted the 82-year-old. White reported fled after being shot.
After the sheriff's office obtained a search warrant, White was found at a home in Ellsinore.
The 82-year-old homeowner was taken to a Poplar Bluff hospital and then by air ambulance to a St. Louis hospital with head injuries.
White was taken to a Poplar Bluff hospital and treated for a gunshot wound to the arm.
An arrest warrant was issued for White for assault first degree and burglary first degree. He was being held in the Butler County Jail under $500,000 bond or cash surety.
There is something about the Right Wingers mind that makes it so vulnerable to FEAR!!! It's like they live every day in fear of a home invasion, a shooting or a mugging.
Fear driven politics works... but only on certain types of people!
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
There is something about the Right Wingers mind that makes it so vulnerable to FEAR!!! It's like they live every day in fear of a home invasion, a shooting or a mugging.
Fear driven politics works... but only on certain types of people!
The last 3 weeks you have been pushing non-stop fear propaganda for your agenda, 90% of it BS
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot."
There is something about the Right Wingers mind that makes it so vulnerable to FEAR!!! It's like they live every day in fear of a home invasion, a shooting or a mugging.
Fear driven politics works... but only on certain types of people!
Funny, all the right wingers called me a lefty before the election.
The gun laws are fear based.
Self protection is not fear, it's called being prepared for any situation.
Fear is the driving force behind child proofing the country.
The last 3 weeks you have been pushing non-stop fear propaganda for your agenda, 90% of it BS
For the children, help us, help us save the children, by passing laws restricting law abiding citizens from their pursuit of life liberty and happiness.
The truth is any home in the US could be the next home invasion.
Fear driven laws are produced by cowards.
Box posts fake guns and beer photos as if it was the gun club he was mocking.
Then he bashes Cicero for scamming less than an hour from his own scamming post.
For the children, help us, help us save the children, by passing laws restricting law abiding citizens from their pursuit of life liberty and happiness.
The truth is any home in the US could be the next home invasion.
Fear driven laws are produced by cowards.
Box posts fake guns and beer photos as if it was the gun club he was mocking.
Then he bashes Cicero for scamming less than an hour from his own scamming post.
Yup any home could be the target of a home invasion but its crazy I guess to be prepared for it. Is it also crazy to have a flashlight around the home in case of a power outage or a spare tire in the trunk in case of a flat tire? or is that just fear as Box says.
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot."
The last 3 weeks you have been pushing non-stop fear propaganda for your agenda, 90% of it BS
You can deny the science, but that doesn't make it disappear. For biological reasons, a conservative political view is accompanied by heightened FEAR in the brain. That isn't my opinion, it's a medical fact.
If you read what conservatives post... it's often FEAR driven. I don't get it... maybe that is also biologically driven, but I don't understand why a man who owns a shotgun, a pistol and a deer rifle would need an assault weapon to "FEEL SAFE".
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
If you read what conservatives post... it's often FEAR driven. >
I don't see where preparation is driven by fear all the time, as I posted do you worry about a flat tire every time you are out driving? probably not but yet I bet you have a spare and a jack. Whats the chances of your power going out, not really high at all but I bet you still have a flashlight or backup generator do you not? Most people make a lot of preparations in life because the fact it sh*t happens, owning a gun for home defense is no different then owning a flashlight, better have and not need then to need and not have.
, but I don't understand why a man who owns a shotgun, a pistol and a deer rifle would need an assault weapon to "FEEL SAFE". >
Diffent tool for different jobs, you wouldn't grab a wrench to tighten a screw would you. God forbid 3-4 men try breaking into your house, would you feel safe with grandpa's old bolt action that only holds 4 rounds, or would you feel safer with a gun that holds 30 rounds and could be reloaded in half a second if need be. Home invasions happen every day, its not fear based to believe it could happen to you because it can, chances might be low but so are the chances of your power going out
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot."
Differnt tool for different jobs, you wouldn't grab a wrench to tighten a screw would you. God forbid 3-4 men try breaking into your house, would you feel safe with grandpa's old bolt action that only holds 4 rounds, or would you feel safer with a gun that holds 30 rounds and could be reloaded in half a second if need be. Home invasions happen every day, its not fear based to believe it could happen to you because it can, chances might be low but so are the chances of your power going out
I doubt that you will get this... if the science is true... you will discard my post 'out of fear'... so it does seem pointless, but here goes:
IMO, your post is a great example of the Fear Motivation that is being discussed. I do have a spare tire and jack in the trunk of my car. I do take reasonable precautions. I don't carry a spare battery, plug wires, oil, spark plugs, etc. A jack and spare is reasonable precautions for both of us.
I do have guns in my home that are secure... many GunHuggers are 'afraid' to lock their guns even with trigger locks because they FEAR they won't be able to unlock them in time of a home invasion.
Your post: "God forbid 3-4 men try breaking into your house,"... it is a possibility, but it's not something that I spend any time thinking about. Murders have occurred a mile from my home, but I don't live in a high crime area. I really don't FEAR your scenario of "3-4 men try breaking into your house". I know that it is possible, but so is it possible to be struck by lightning, die in a car wreck or have an aircraft crash into my home when I'm sleeping. I know these things are possible, but spend very little time considering them. I lock my door at night, like the jack and spare, reasonable precautions... I am armed, a precaution, but don't really expect an armed invasion against my house.
Your scenario... "God forbid 3-4 men try breaking into your house,"... what would you do if it was 30 or 40 men trying to break into your house??? Possible, but very unlikely right???
I don't know what kind of neighborhood you live in, or if you consider it to be a high risk... any home is a target to a home invasion, but some more than others. If I lived in a high crime area I would take more precautions... intrusion devices, security systems, cameras, reinforced doors and windows, etc... I would take 'reasonable' precautions.
For me a pistol is a reasonable precaution... for you it seems, an arsenal of weapons wouldn't be enough. Why the difference between your view and mine? A different level of FEAR.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
I don't know what kind of neighborhood you live in, or if you consider it to be a high risk... any home is a target to a home invasion, but some more than others. If I lived in a high crime area I would take more precautions... intrusion devices, security systems, cameras, reinforced doors and windows, etc... I would take 'reasonable' precautions.
For me a pistol is a reasonable precaution... for you it seems, an arsenal of weapons wouldn't be enough. Why the difference between your view and mine? A different level of FEAR.
I'm not interested in an arsenal. I agree that a pistol is the first line of defense. The only other items I would suggest is a 22 rifle and a shotgun. Those 3 items would handle nearly any situation.
I'm not interested in assault rifles, but not because I wouldn't want one. Basically I'm too cheap to spend the money on them. I have enough invested already and I'm looking to sell my home and move to Florida very soon.
I do feel that Rotterdam is certainly an area that could result in a home invasion due to it's proximity to the city. Much of the local burglaries and thefts have been from people who live in the city. In the last 30 years I have been a victim of property theft crimes 5 times. One on Christmas day when my window was smashed out of my car and the contents of the vehicle were taken. Nearby homes have been burglarized and there is no reason to suspect burglaries will stop occurring throughout the neighborhood.
I have added car alarms to my vehicles and installed motion activated lighting in both the front and rear of the house. I have installed deadbolt locks on both exterior doors, but that won't stop anyone determined to get in. Windows can easily be smashed and entry gained through them. Even with the motion activated lighting thieves have entered my yard on more than 1 occasion to take things and also have had things taken from my enclosed porch.
The well trained dogs are a good deterrent, but thieves still enter my yard going over a locked gate. That leaves the armed homeowners as the main line of defense for the home itself. I am the only person with access to firearms in my home. They are my weapons and no one is allowed access to them. I take gun safety seriously. Many people you read about in the news every day carelessly leave guns around and others get hurt.
Will I be confronted by someone with more firepower? It could happen, but a person can never be protected from all possible scenarios. I think concealed weapons should be more easily obtainable. The entire process discourages many people from even applying for the license.
With that being said, I still would never consider forcing others to not own a semi automatic rifle. I would go as far as to allow persons with concealed carry license to own semi-automatic rifles, because the background checks are pretty thorough. Of course background checks only check mental health records, the FBI, the state police and local police data. They don't check for stupidity.
Stupidity is the main cause for gun accidents. And suicide is right up there in frequency of occurrence. You are correct that if a person has no access to a gun they likely won't commit suicide. Other methods are available, but I agree with the firearms being the main method. Even knowing these facts, suicide is not preventable by passing laws.
Murder is not preventable by passing laws. Yes, banning assault rifles would reduce the number of casualties from killers, but the total number of people killed by assault rifles is still a relatively minor issue compared to other death causing actions.
The actual Obama laws proposed and even Cuomo's gun laws won't affect me other than limiting each clip to 7 shots. Background checks absolutely need to be thorough, but reasonable. I would support stiffer penalties for gun owners who leave weapons around that get used by others. That is criminal negligence to me. That is the reason for Sandy hook, the kid in New Mexico who shot up his family Saturday, and an endless list of others. Private citizens and police both are leaving too much access to their weapons and these actions result in death/injury quite often.
A safety course should be required for assault rifles. I'm not against registering all firearms either. The safety and access issue is the single biggest issue that needs to be addressed. That is the weakest link.
Why do mthe police need a 15 round clip in their pistols then Box??
Unlike the average homeowner citizen, the police will routinely use their weapon in circumstances that would likely require more firepower. If a single police man answers a call to an armed robbery by several criminals, he needs all the firepower available. It would not be unlikely for a single policeman to arrive on a bank robbery facing (thanks to the NRA) assault weapons carried by 3 or 4 criminals. Unlike a home invasion, the criminals would need to shoot their way out of a bank robbers, rather than just flee from a home invasion.
In most cases... The homeowner is playing defense... protecting his life while in many cases the police are playing offense, actively pursuing the criminals, a much more dangerous event.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
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