State Attorney: Deputy Justified In Shooting Woman With BB Gun

June 13, 2012

An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was justified when he shot a woman back in April, according to a report released Tuesday by the State Attorney’s Office.

Deputy Brett Heubach responded to an armed disturbance at the Fairfield Villa Apartments on  April 20th.  That’s where he found 24-year old Shanterika Thomas pointing a gun. He ordered her multiple times to put down the weapon but she did not.  Thomas pointed the gun at Heubach so he opened fire, striking her three times.

Thomas was treated at a local hospital.

The weapon turned out to be a BB gun, but it was indistinguishable from a real gun, according to the State Attorney’s Office report. “It’s appearance was such that any person would reasonably believe it was a real firearm. The actions of Ms. Thomas placed Deputy Heubach in fear of death or great bodily harm and accordingly his use of force is justified,” the report states.

Comments

4 Responses to “State Attorney: Deputy Justified In Shooting Woman With BB Gun”

  1. Thinker on June 13th, 2012 4:05 pm

    Sounds like an open and shut case. Why did it take this long for a determination? Lawsuit?

  2. Bobby on June 13th, 2012 3:29 pm

    Even if he knew it was a BB gun he would still be justified.

  3. AC on June 13th, 2012 9:45 am

    “’It’s appearance was such that any person would reasonably believe it was a real firearm….”‘

    A BB gun is not exactly a toy. A BB gun can cause serious injury, or even death in certain circumstances. There are some that can shoot a .17 caliber projectile at 1200 feet-per-second (or faster). That’s around the same velocity as some firearms and is very deadly. So even if the deputy KNEW it was a BB gun, I still think he should be justified in shooting the person pointing it at him in a threatening manner.

  4. David Huie Green on June 13th, 2012 9:07 am

    Never play with guns

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News