Armed customer who shot and killed an irate man will not be prosecuted
- 8 years ago
MANDEVILLE, LOUISIANA — An armed convenience store customer, who shot and killed a highly agitated man will not be prosecuted, according to North Shore District Attorney Warren Montgomery.
Montgomery said on May 27 that he will not bring charges against a legally-armed citizen who killed 42-year-old Shawn Breland in Mandeville after Breland attacked people at a convenience store in April.
According to a statement released by the DA’s office, the shooting death of Breland “was legally justified under the circumstances.”
The shooter, who has not been identified, was shopping at the convenience store at a Shell gas station on April 4, when he saw Breland berating the store clerk.
Surveillance video shows Breland making a purchase and talking to the clerk. At one point, Breland becomes angry and the clerk makes a phone call, prompting Breland to exit the store. He returns shortly after and the two begin arguing.
The shooter, visibly carrying his gun in a holster, walks up to the register to make his purchase. But is interrupted by Breland, who continues arguing with the clerk. Breland then turns the conversation to the man with the gun.
Breland then leaves the store and returns with a bag of chips, which he opens and throws at the clerk. Breland, the clerk and the man with the gun proceed outside where the shooter takes a look at Breland’s license plate to give to police, which just infuriates Breland even more. The irate man chases the armed man back inside.
The man, with his gun drawn, pushes Breland away from him, but Breland attacks the man in response and backs him into a corner. According to police, the man told Breland to back off three times before shooting him three times.
Breland later died at a local hospital.
Police have backed the DA’s decision not to arrest or prosecute the shooter.
Montgomery said on May 27 that he will not bring charges against a legally-armed citizen who killed 42-year-old Shawn Breland in Mandeville after Breland attacked people at a convenience store in April.
According to a statement released by the DA’s office, the shooting death of Breland “was legally justified under the circumstances.”
The shooter, who has not been identified, was shopping at the convenience store at a Shell gas station on April 4, when he saw Breland berating the store clerk.
Surveillance video shows Breland making a purchase and talking to the clerk. At one point, Breland becomes angry and the clerk makes a phone call, prompting Breland to exit the store. He returns shortly after and the two begin arguing.
The shooter, visibly carrying his gun in a holster, walks up to the register to make his purchase. But is interrupted by Breland, who continues arguing with the clerk. Breland then turns the conversation to the man with the gun.
Breland then leaves the store and returns with a bag of chips, which he opens and throws at the clerk. Breland, the clerk and the man with the gun proceed outside where the shooter takes a look at Breland’s license plate to give to police, which just infuriates Breland even more. The irate man chases the armed man back inside.
The man, with his gun drawn, pushes Breland away from him, but Breland attacks the man in response and backs him into a corner. According to police, the man told Breland to back off three times before shooting him three times.
Breland later died at a local hospital.
Police have backed the DA’s decision not to arrest or prosecute the shooter.