Newspaper carrier shoots, injures man
Address:http://www.sunone.com/articles/2001-07-22c.shtml
Sunday, July 22, 2001
Newspaper carrier shoots, injures man
By CATHI CARR and KATHY CIOTOLA
Sun staff writers

In the second such incident this week, a Gainesville resident with a
concealed weapon feared for his life and shot an attacker.

Derek Messer, a newspaper carrier for the Florida Times-Union, shot and
wounded a 20-year-old Gainesville man early Saturday morning, after the
man, along with four other suspects, dragged Messer from his car and
beat him, according to Gainesville Police.

Messer was driving in the 3800 block of NW 39th Avenue at 3:15 a.m. when
he noticed a car being driven erratically.

After calling police, Messer pursued the car for about seven blocks
while police units were en route. Once the driver – who is unidentified
- realized he was being followed by Messer, he pulled over, said
Gainesville Police Cpl. Keith Kameg.

Messer tried to put his car in reverse to get away, but it stalled.

“Five guys get out and start running toward Messer,” Kameg said. “All
five guys converged on him, breaking the windshield and beating up his
car.”

As the suspects continued their attack, they pulled Messer from the car,
which is when Messer pulled his gun and shot, Kameg said.
Michael K. Coombs escaped serious injury after Messer shot him in the
side of the chest in the Valley subdivision on NW 39th Avenue.

Within minutes of the shooting, police arrived and captured the wounded
Coombs and Austin M. Reed, 20, following a short foot chase.

“Mr. Coombs is extremely lucky because the bullet caused very minor
damage,” Kameg said. “He’s very fortunate.”

Coombs, of Merritt Island, was later booked into the Alachua County jail
on charges of battery, burglary of a conveyance, felony criminal
mischief, resisting arrest without violence and possession of marijuana
of less than 20 grams.

All five suspects were arrested and charged with battery for their roles
in the incident, Gainesville Police said.

Messer suffered facial trauma in the incident but was not seriously
injured. Kameg said Messer had a valid concealed weapons permit and will
not be charged in the incident.

“If you have a concealed weapons permit, that’s what it’s for,” Kameg
said. “In this case, it very easily saved Messer’s life.”

Reed, of 949 SW 56 Terrace, also was charged with battery, felony
criminal mischief, resisting arrest without violence and burglary of a
conveyance.

The other suspects included Richard L. Baker, 21, of Oxford Manor at
2777 Archer Road; Adam M. Smith, 21, of Cocoa Beach; and Joseph F.
Haney, 20.

They were each arrested and charged with battery, burglary of a
conveyance and felony criminal mischief. Damage to the car was estimated
at more than $1,000, Kameg said.

“They didn’t realize the person they were beating had a gun until he
shot at them,” Kameg said.

“The police aren’t going to comment either way on whether citizens
should carry and use their weapons. But as far as criminals go, when
you’re thinking about committing a crime, people may be carrying weapons
and this is a definite result of what could happen.”

Exactly one week ago, a longtime friend of a clerk at the Shell Food
Mart at 3850 Newberry Road shot and killed a 27-year-old Gainesville man
who was attempting to rob the store.

Richard Connell, 63, was not charged in the incident, which resulted in
the death of
Channing Michael Page, who was shot three times in the upper torso by
Connell.

Cathi Carr can be reached at 374-5086 or [email protected]
Kathy Ciotola can be reached at 338-3109 or
[email protected]

http://www.robertwaters.net
FAIR USE!