July 13, 2004
Columbus Dispatch

Masked gunmen kill two at home

One man was dead and another in custody as authorities early this morning closed in on two suspects from a triple-shooting in a Franklin Township home early yesterday. Franklin County deputies called for Columbus police dogs and a helicopter after the men were cornered along Hall Road near Hilltonia Drive about 12:15 this morning. One of the suspects, Paul Anthony Speakman, shot himself as officers moved in, Chief Deputy Steve Martin said.

The other, Kristoffer Todd Morris, was caught about 12:45 a.m. when a police helicopter spotted him laying in a creekbed. Morris had a gun and was wearing body armor but surrendered.

Both had been charged with one count each of aggravated murder in connection with a triple shooting yesterday that killed a teenager and a man and injured a third person.

Clifford Shortridge Jr., 17, who lived in the house at 1324 Brown Rd. where the shootings occurred, was shot in the face and killed about 2:30 a.m., when he stepped out of his bedroom, said Teresa Buzzard, who lives across the street.

Russell Bonner, 26, who worked for the tree-trimming business that Shortridge’s father owns, was shot on the porch.

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When deputies arrived at the house, both the teen and Bonner were dead.

Warrants were filed yesterday for the men authorities think killed them: Morris, 26, of 580 E. Town St. No. 135, and Speakman, 25, who lived at 4364 Monterey Court.

According to a woman who witnessed the Brown Road shootings, two men began shooting about 2:30 a.m. as they approached people on the porch of the home.

The gunfire continued as the men made their way inside the house, she said.

Shortridge’s father, Clifford Shortridge Sr., was awakened by the commotion. He stepped out of his bedroom and was grazed on the chest by a bullet.

After being released from Mount Carmel West hospital yesterday, Shortridge, 35, stood in front of his house, still clad in a hospital gown, recounting for a deputy what had happened. He couldn’t go inside his house to get his clothes because detectives still were investigating.

" ‘I come to rob you,’ " Shortridge said, recalling what one of the masked men told him.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

July 13, 2004
Port Clinton News Herald

PORT CLINTON -- Ohio's concealed-carry law, which took affect in April, has county officials trying to determine a new policy to outline when and where county employees are able to carry firearms.

The Ottawa County commissioners are mulling over four possible amendments to the current county employee firearms policy. It currently states "no person shall knowingly possess, have under the person's control, convey or attempt to convey a deadly weapon or dangerous ordinance into county-owned or county-leased buildings."

County Human Resources Director Ruth Dyke has been meeting with the commissioners, as well as the sheriff's office and Prosecutor Mark Mulligan to discuss the new policies and has drafted four possible amendments that outline what is acceptable for non-law enforcement employees who are licensed to carry handguns under the new law.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

This bank robber walked past "no-guns" signs as he entered one of the few remaining 'posted' Kroger stores, and walked past another set of "no-guns" signs as he entered the Fifth Third bank branch which is located inside the Kroger.

Perhaps if the signs had said "no bank robberies"...

July 13, 2004
Middletown Journal

Middletown police hunt for bank robber

Middletown police are looking for a man in connection with a late afternoon bank robbery Monday.

The suspect walked into the Fifth Third Bank branch inside the Kroger store on Towne Boulevard around 6:30 p.m. and [handed] the teller a note, said Middletown police Sgt. Will Rogers.

“No weapon was displayed or indicated,” Rogers said.

The suspect is in his 20s and was wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt. He has a thin build with dirty blond hair. The suspect fled through the front of the store and went toward the Towne Mall, and was not seen again, Rogers said.

The amount of money taken was not disclosed, and the robbery is still under investigation by Middletown police.

Related Stories:
''First bank robbery this year'' at posted Willoughby Fifth Third branch

ANOTHER VICTIM ZONE ROBBERY: Gunman robs Fifth Third bank

Kroger makes it official: Ohio signs ordered down

Although OFCC volunteers have been successful at getting many dealerships to remove their discriminatory signs, others have resisted initial education efforts.

Following is a response received by an OFCC supporter from Mike Pruitt Ford in Lima when he expressed interest in purchasing two vehicles from the dealership:

----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Stimmel
Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 1:36 PM
Subject: No concealed carry

Yes, we at Mike Pruitt Ford have it clearly posted on all entrance doors that we do not allow concealed weapons to be carried on our property. This is simply for the safety of our customers and employees. We are not against the concealed carry law and do not wish to debate it.

You stated that you were in the market for two vehicles this summer and if these signs were indeed posted you would have to take your business elsewhere; if your decision on where to purchase your vehicles will be made solely on who allows and does not allow concealed carry in their buildings, you will have a hard time doing business anywhere. Of the 15 dealers I called after receiving your email all 15 stated they do not allow concealed carry either.

If you wish to purchase a vehicle based on fair and honest pricing, great service and professional staff then Mike Pruitt Ford is where you should do business.

Sincerely,

Mike Stimmel
General Sales Manager
Mike Pruitt Ford
419-224-3673
800-589-5462
mike@mpford.com

Upon receipt of this email, we opened the phone book, and began calling car dealerships in Lima. NOT ONE of the dealerships we called have posted these signs.

More than one dealer we spoke with mentioned an incident last year in which a Lima car saleswoman was robbed and stuffed the trunk of a car at the dealership as influencing their decision not to post these signs.

Did Mr. Stimmel ever make the calls he claims to have made? If so, to whom?

Mike Pruitt Ford is joined only by Tom Ahl dealerships in Lima on the Do Not Patronize While Armed list. While it is possible that others have signs, the 15 Stimmel claims to have called have proven quite difficult to track down.

When asked recently why they were banning CHL-holders, another Ohio dealer with discriminatory signs told an inquirer that "we get a lot of angry customers in here."

Perhaps there's a lesson in that...

FLASHBACK:
Christmas Day, 2003 - Akron car salesman found bound, gagged
General Manager Derrick Harris said the salesman's wife called around 10 a.m. Wednesday to say the man had disappeared.

"Car dealerships get robbed a lot,'' Harris said, adding that some dealerships don't always check for identification before allowing employees and vehicles to go out on test drives. "He (the employee) didn't get a chance to get an ID or anything like that.''