Justifiable Killings Surge for Cops, Civilians

Boy, 9, booked on suspicion of assault

(NEWSER) - A third-grade girl was shot in the stomach yesterday at her Washington state elementary school when a loaded handgun in the backpack of a classmate apparently discharged accidentally, said officials. The girl was in critical condition last night in a Seattle hospital. The 9-year-old boy who brought the handgun has been booked into a local juvenile detention center for investigation of unlawful possession of a firearm, bringing a dangerous weapon onto school grounds, and third-degree assault, reports the Seattle Times. More»

He wounds one driver before being fatally shot by police

(NEWSER) - A gunman indiscriminately opened fire at passing motorists in Hollywood today, hitting one person in the head who is now critically wounded, reports the Los Angeles Times . The gunman was then shot dead by two police officers who were on a nearby movie set and alerted by bystanders. The shooting took place on Vine Street, just south of the ArcLight movie theater. More»

A&E staff may have footage of killing

(NEWSER) - A reality television crew was on the scene when 7-year-old Aiyana Jones was shot by a Detroit police officer, and may have filmed the killing. The film crew of A&E's First 48 Hours accompanied cops as they sought a homicide suspect in a home. During a struggle with Aiyana's grandmother inside the house, an officer's gun discharged and killed the girl, according to police. An attorney for the family has stated, however, that video footage shows that police lobbed a flash grenade into the house and began shooting indiscriminantly into the home. More»

(AP) - Authorities say the Alabama gunman who killed 10 people and himself in a rampage yesterday had once trained as a police officer. Michael McLendon, 28, briefly went through officer training in 2003, but didn't complete the requirements to join the force. Investigators still aren't sure what led McLendon to go on the shooting spree in south Alabama. "He cleaned his family out," said one official. More»

Three others injured, including suspect

(AP) - Illinois state police say a man shot a pastor to death and injured others at a church during a service in Maryville. Master Trooper Ralph Timmins says the man walked down the aisle during the early Sunday service at First Baptist Church in Maryville, exchanged words with pastor Fred Winters, and then pulled out a .45-caliber handgun. More»