Thoughts?
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If the account as presented in the article is accurate, then he is in the wrong and should be convicted for some level of homicide.
The specific legal parameters for shooting a fleeing felon are very narrow. This perp was likely not even a felon with such a small amount of stolen merchandise.
We shoot to stop an imminent threat of death or grave bodily harm to an innocent person. I don’t see that in this account. So no shots should have been fired.
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If the article is correct the owner is wrong there was no threat
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So, to add some context that I believe may be missing from the article:
I have read, but not confirmed, that the owner may have been hit with the suspect’s car at least once.
Would that change anything for you?
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If he was hit by the car that probably really made him mad, it would me but still.
The perp was fleeing, legally no longer a threat. $75 is not worth it. Hell a million dollar sportscar isnt worth shooting a fleeing suspect. Thats what insurance companies are for and a job for LEO’s if they take the case seriously.
They guy will be charged and convicted.
It would be different if the guy faced me toe to toe and had to defend myself.
I put thieves up there with rapists and murders, but unfortunately you cant kill them when they try to leave.
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If I weren’t on a budget, I’d give Thabata $75 so that when that happens again, he won’t shoot. It can make it harder for persons who want to “carry” to save a life, not save $75. To take a life, judge, jury, executioner. What did Tabatha get back in return? What’s Tabatha facing now?
A smoke shop in Albuquerque, NM, shop lifted; You gotta know it’s bound to happen and plan ahead on how to respond “appropriately”.
I lost my keys, so let me shoot the lock open?
Was Thabata facing imminent threat to life or limb “at that moment”?
What if my little daughter or Mother were walking past where he shot? Responsibility, integrity, education, training? Who trains to shoot tires? Hit a tire, then what?
Someone snatches my shoulder bag from me, the bag and contents worth $75, so I’m gonna fire bullet(s) at the perpetrator out in public to “slow him down”? So I can detain him myself?
As opposed to facing a theft loss.
All this for 2 shirts and a bong? That my have been insured? How do I distance myself as far away as I can from Thabata?
A couple years ago, I was about 20 feet away from a shooter, in a very similar stores’ lot, when I saw a man running, and a shooter took shots at his back as the man ran away. Mothers with toddlers running out of the way.
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I believe the merchandise was destroyed in the vehicle fire, so, likely nothing at all.
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Not unless he was hitting him with his car at the time of the shooting.
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My understanding, coming from a self-identified eye witness, is that the owner was observed with visible injuries resulting from at least 1 impact with the vehicle prior to the shooting. Again, no way to confirm if this person was actually a witness.
Does it matter to you that the owner would not have been anywhere near the car but for chasing the suspect?
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Thabata told officers he was angry and that he doesn’t like violence, but he said Sedillo left him no choice.
What did I tell you about not talking until your lawyer’s present? 
I’ve been trained not to shoot at a fleeing person or vehicle.
Aiming for the tire? Almost like firing a warning shot. Wasted bullet.
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Putting myself in the owners place I would not shoot unless I thought my or a loved ones life was in imminent danger…
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Agreed. That comment about shooting at the tire is going to be his downfall.
Could have said he was in fear for his life and responded with appropriate force, or, better yet, kept his trap shut.
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Definitely not justified…
But wait.. he tries taking out a tire, but manages to shoot the guy, kill him, and sets his car on fire. Thats some Max Smart s–t right there
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I believe the fire was the result of the driver losing control and crashing into a parked car. I don’t think the owner intentionally started a vehicle fire.
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O ya i know that. I was more in disbelief he could manage all that “with a warning shot” 
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Yeah. I was impressed with all the carnage that resulted.
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“Matthew Sedillo was recently released from jail after being found incompetent. He has a long criminal history of battery, shoplifting, burglary, and more.”
Unfortunately this little tidbit won’t be admissible.
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On the plus side, his long criminal history has been ended. 
.
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If you’re not law enforcement you can’t shoot them or chase them if they flee. Once they break off the assault and leave they’re no longer a threat and you can’t shoot them. Even LEOs can’t shoot someone who flees even though they often do sometimes it’s against the fleeing felon laws.
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