Daily FGS
Fatal Shooting Of Friend In Sublette County Ruled Self Defense
A special prosecutor ruled Tuesday that a Sublette County man who fatally shot his friend last July used reasonable defensive force as the other man swung an animal trap at him.
Clair McFarland
A Sublette County man who fatally shot his friend July 11 in a Pinedale alleyway after a falling-out used reasonable force to preserve his life as the other man swung an animal trap at him, a special prosecutor has ruled.The Sublette County Sheriff’s Office announced the decision Tuesday, about two weeks after special prosecutor and Natrona County District Attorney Dan Itzen issued it.
Craig Rice and Paul Browning were friends “for a number of years,” says Itzen’s decision letter. “They had a falling out over several different issues.”
But, Browning had Rice’s animal traps, and Rice had Browning’s free weights sets, the letter adds.
They arranged to return each other’s property in the alley behind Rice’s business, in Pinedale, on July 11.
The town was bustling, as the exchange coincided with a summer rendezvous festival.
Browning asked a third man to help him make the exchange.
“He also referred to Mr. Rice as a (expletive),” Itzen wrote.
Browning’s truck wouldn’t start, so the third man used his truck to go to town with Browning.
On the way to town, Browning noted that he didn’t bring a knife or gun “because he did not want trouble,” wrote Itzen.
At the alley, Browning grew upset because not all his weights were there.
According to the third man, Itzen wrote, Rice and Browning started arguing, with each accusing the other of being a liar and thief.
The third man could hear that Browning “was upset and talking towards Mr. Rice.” Rice backed up and drew a gun, the letter says.
“Mr. Rice shoots one time striking Mr. Browning in the chest,” Itzen added.
Rice noted that Browning held? one of the traps when he was shot.
Law enforcement arrived to find Browning’s body with one gunshot wound, and a trap next to the body, the prosecutor wrote.
Investigators collected the trap, which weighed about 2 pounds.
“Rice after the shooting retreated into his office building,” wrote Itzen. “Once inside he told individuals that he felt threatened as Mr. Browning advanced on him.”
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Cowboy State Daily
Well well. A new entry in The Book of Things Not to Bring to a Gun Fight.
Nothing is more precious than independence and liberty.
Ho Chi Minh
Category: Feel Good Stories
Reading the rest of the article, it seems that Browning was an upstanding citizen with a history of rational actions… or not.
I have a laissez faire attitude about a lot of things. While I also have little to no contact with the few friends I have left, if I had a sudden falling out with one I’d just leave it be. If they have something of mine, I’d just write it off in most cases. If I have something of theirs they demanded back, we can meet in front of the Walmart and I’ll gladly return it.
I sure as hell ain’t going to bleed out over a set of weights.
Yep. That IS a new one. And most unusual, too. How many people do you know that even have animal traps?
Another page in the 3″ three ring loose leaf binder of T2NB2AGF.
(I keep telling myself that when I retire I’m going to go back thru the TAh archives and print and collate these into a limited edition tabletop edition. 3″ binder, of course. Dedicated to Gun Bunny. Only problem is, I ain’t retired yet)
“How many people do you know that even have animal traps?”
I have a live trap, several steel traps, and 6 or so mole traps. Now you know. 😉
” How many people do you know that even have animal traps?”
In Pinedale, or Sublette County for that matter, damn near everybody. God Bless Wyoming, and keep her wild.
If you have to shoot a friend, he (or she) really isn’t a friend anymore.
Am I the only one remembering an old Dustin Hoffman movie called “Straw Dogs”?