One Killed In Odessa Shooting
By: Jamie Kuras
Updated: February 18, 2011
ODESSA -- A shooting took place around 4:20 AM Friday on the corner of 23rd and Muskingum in Odessa.
Police received several 911 calls regarding shots fired. When officers arrived on scene they spoke with witnesses and the homeowner of where the shots were fired.
Police say suspects -- 40-year-old David Allen Whitehead, 34-year-old Tanya Lynn Whitehead and 53-year-old Rodney Allen Burns -- were burglarizing the victim's work truck. The three suspects were reportedly trying to steal some copper wire off the truck.
When the homeowner saw the burglary taking place, he yelled at the suspects and grabbed a weapon. That's when he shot at the suspects, hitting Burns. The suspects then fled the scene.
A subsequent 911 call was made from the home where the suspects fled to. The call referenced that Burns was shot. He was dead when paramedics arrived.
Sherrie Carruth of the Odessa Police Department says the homeowner is protected right now from any charges.
"The provisions of the law does have for owners to be able to protect their property during the nighttime and that's criminal mischief -- that's assaults, burglary," Carruth said. "This homeowner felt the need to protect his property. "
The house where the burglary took place is registered to Robert C. Gomez. A neighbor -- Johnny Rodriguez -- said that Friday wasn't the first time an incident like this has happened. Rodriguez said that people have stole the copper wire before.
Police are still investigating the incident. No charges have been filed, and no bond has been set.
Police received several 911 calls regarding shots fired. When officers arrived on scene they spoke with witnesses and the homeowner of where the shots were fired.
Police say suspects -- 40-year-old David Allen Whitehead, 34-year-old Tanya Lynn Whitehead and 53-year-old Rodney Allen Burns -- were burglarizing the victim's work truck. The three suspects were reportedly trying to steal some copper wire off the truck.
When the homeowner saw the burglary taking place, he yelled at the suspects and grabbed a weapon. That's when he shot at the suspects, hitting Burns. The suspects then fled the scene.
A subsequent 911 call was made from the home where the suspects fled to. The call referenced that Burns was shot. He was dead when paramedics arrived.
Sherrie Carruth of the Odessa Police Department says the homeowner is protected right now from any charges.
"The provisions of the law does have for owners to be able to protect their property during the nighttime and that's criminal mischief -- that's assaults, burglary," Carruth said. "This homeowner felt the need to protect his property. "
The house where the burglary took place is registered to Robert C. Gomez. A neighbor -- Johnny Rodriguez -- said that Friday wasn't the first time an incident like this has happened. Rodriguez said that people have stole the copper wire before.
Police are still investigating the incident. No charges have been filed, and no bond has been set.
