Craig Sumner Elliott, 68, allegedly shot Antonio Garcia Avalos, 40, in incident in Orange county

A California jogger was charged this week in the killing of a homeless man who was blocking the sidewalk.

Craig Sumner Elliott, 68, was jogging with his two dogs and pushing a cart on 28 September when he came across Antonio Garcia Avalos, 40, who was sleeping in the middle of the sidewalk, prosecutors in Orange county, California, said.

Elliott allegedly tried to wake Avalos by nudging him with the pushcart, whereupon Avalos started yelling at Elliott to leave him alone.

Elliott, who allegedly filmed their encounter, then brought a handgun out of his cart, prosecutors charged, adding that when Avalos stood and threw a shoe at Elliott, he ducked and responded by shooting Avalos three times.

Avalos subsequently died from his injuries. Elliott, who does have an active concealed carry permit issued by the local sheriff’s office, was arrested on 17 November in the incident.

  • Xanthrax@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Eh, hiking and jogging are actually a really good reason to CCW, especially if you live in a remote area. You also have to think about mountain lions and bears where I am, though. We’ve also had multiple trail abductions, 2 of which resulted in laws being passed for abduction here.

    That being said, I have been sickened by the number of times I’ve heard jokes like: “This’ll give the mailman a bad time”, or, “I hope they fuck around and find out.” I completely agree, a lot of gun owners WANT to shoot someone.

    • QHC@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      He had two dogs with him. Highly doubt he’s getting mugged or attacked by mountain lions.

      • Xanthrax@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        I’m not talking about this guy.

        I’m not trying to defend the guy, but two dogs would get DRAGGED by a mountain lion.

    • SheeEttin@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Using any handgun, or probably most rifles, against a bear is just going to make it angry. Those fuckers are tanks. Use bear spray for bears.

      • doggle@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        1 year ago

        9mm is iffy, but a lot of handguns in the US are .45 which would do a number on a bear.

        Also depends on the bear. A black bear may run at the first sign of trouble. If it’s a grizzly… Bring an anti-tank rifle just to be sure.

        • TopRamenBinLaden@sh.itjust.works
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          1 year ago

          I have seen bears run away from the sound of a rifle being fired, in person. They weren’t Grizzlies or anything, just brown bears. Still, I think the sound alone is enough of a deterrent for most bears unless they are desperately hungry or cornered.