Dallas homeowner shoots, kills 14-year-old intruder

[Bosco]

http://www.kens5.com/news/texas-news/146743135.html

Investigators said the three young people rang the front doorbell of Lee Cobler's home in the 7300 block of Vallejo Drive. When no one answered, they went around the back and started trying to kick the door in.But Cobler, 51, was at home with an adult son. The son was on the phone with 911 when police said Cobler opened fire on the intruders, killing 14-year-old Luis Avila, a student at Hood Middle School.

What were 13 and 14 year olds doing breaking into someone's house?!?

I'm guessing they were all white (no mention of race at all in the article) so at least they can't throw this into project race wars.

 

[Scott.Thornton]

If someone kicks my door down, I don't particularly know if age will cross my mind at that point. Dead by a 14 year old is just as dead by a 18 year old. Age plays nothing in my decision.

 

[N4sir]

Though it is tragic that it was a child that was shot, he and all who choose to take part in such crimes should know the risks they take in breaking into a home. No different than a home invaision. All criminals should take note that they will automatically be shot after breaking in and being in someone's homes where they don't belong.
You'd think they would understand something so simple. Don't break in, don't get killed!

 

[Bosco]

I just can't fathom being 13/14 and breaking into someone's house. At 14 I was interested in playing video games and sports with friends. I can't imagine saying "hey guys what should we do tonight? oh yea let's go break into someone's home!!" What's wrong with today's youth. Heck I remember posting a story about some young teens pouring gasoline on another kid and lighting him on fire. Seriously what the hell.

 

[Sugarbug]

Good for him.

Of course they had to mention that the 51 year-old man was a member of the neighborhood watch (which totally matters when someone is trying to break into your house, right?) Sucks that such a young kid had to die, but maybe those other two will get on the right track seeing what happened to their friend.

 

[22doberman22]

At 14 I was interested in playing video games and sports with friends

He was looking to steal money so he can buy video games because he had no friends and too fat to play sports.

 

[returningliberty]

He was looking to steal money so he can buy video games because he had no friends and too fat to play sports.

No, they were doing it cause it was cool and they might find a little cash for weed or cigarettes etc. now some dad has to live with the fact that his child was killed, and deserved it.
Every highschool should post this as a warning to other kids.

 

[JLouv]

Darwinism at work!!

Too bad it's so slow....

 

[oleheat]

Oh well.



I'm sure the gang he belonged to/was trying to join will have no trouble finding another recruit.

 

[Yrdawg]

Police spokesman Sgt. Warren Mitchell said no charges have been filed against Cobler, but a grand jury will review the circumstances of the fatal shooting.


This is where Texas decides the bounty on home invaders to be paid to the 51 yo victim.

 

[Gus McCrae]

Very unfortunate. Play stupid games.....

 

[jimdana1942]

Back in the 70's, a Dallas PD LEO was shot and killed by a 12 year old. The 12 had burgled a school and the LEO went inside, saw the burglar, started a chase inside the school, the LEO fell down and his gun slid to the 12 YO and he picked it up and killed him.

Pretty sure Dallas PD doesn't care too much about age when they or someone else defends themself.

 

[Kraut]

I'd be really pissed if I were a parent in that school system. How is it the school system's, and thereby the taxpayer's, responsibility to provide counseling to students over this issue, which had nothing to do with the school, and should instead be held up very clearly for all students in an assembly as an example of what not to do with their lives? I bet no one has the balls to do that, gather all the students and tell them some form of "sorry about your classmate/friend, but he did what we all know by his age to be wrong, paid the price for it, and you should learn from that." If it was a drunk driving accident, you know they'd have an assembly so as not to miss out on a teaching moment, but I bet they'll pass right over this one.

 

[JLouv]

Very unfortunate. Play stupid games.....

I know huh? That poor man is going to have nightmares about shooting that punk.
I feel bad for him and hope he can cope.

 

[ejt1469]

I'm guessing they were all white (no mention of race at all in the article) so at least they can't throw this into project race wars.

Cobler - home owner
Avila - dead criminal

Sounds like a white guy and a white-hispanic guy, no need for AS and JJ here.

 

[Hitman]

 

[TheMaddMan]

He was looking to steal money so he can buy video games because he had no friends and too fat to play sports.

Needed the money to buy a hoodie?

 

[edrodhdfb]

Avila is Hispanic origin, but the real issue is not race. Just like in the Trayvon case the issue is "don't start nothing and there won't be nothing". That goes for Zimmerman too! He played a part in that mess doesn't matter if he is in the right. He could of done things differently.

 

[LongGoneDays]

I don't see this as sad at all. Glad he is dead before he became a taller stronger possibly (but doubtful) brighter criminal.

 

[USMC-Deano]

I just can't fathom being 13/14 and breaking into someone's house. At 14 I was interested in playing video games and sports with friends. I can't imagine saying "hey guys what should we do tonight? oh yea let's go break into someone's home!!" What's wrong with today's youth. Heck I remember posting a story about some young teens pouring gasoline on another kid and lighting him on fire. Seriously what the hell.

No crap. I mean, don't get me wrong, I enjoyed playing pranks, but I never did anything criminal in doing so.

Good for him.

Of course they had to mention that the 51 year-old man was a member of the neighborhood watch (which totally matters when someone is trying to break into your house, right?) Sucks that such a young kid had to die, but maybe those other two will get on the right track seeing what happened to their friend.

Maybe they will. Or, maybe they'll be retarded and want "revenge" for him.