(NY) Shots fired by resident in self-defense 03-08-04

http://www.syracuse.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-15/1078738595203860.xml?syrneocit

City police say shots fired in self-defense
No charges are filed against resident in burglary. One suspect is
wounded.
March 08, 2004
By Jim Read
Staff writer

A Syracuse man was defending himself when he fired two shotgun blasts at
two men who broke into his downtown apartment Saturday night, police
said.

No charges will be filed against the man, identified in court papers as
Terry Linton, 45, of 80 Presidential Plaza, said Sgt. Tom Connellan, a
Syracuse police spokesman.

“He had every right to protect himself in his home,” Connellan said.

Police had been looking for one of the men, Willie Cooper, 20, of 132 W.
Castle St., since Wednesday in connection with a break-in at Linton’s
apartment that day, Connellan said. Cooper is accused of stabbing Linton
in the shoulder while collecting a $60 debt, Connellan said.

“He (Linton) was very scared and terrorized,” Connellan said of
Saturday’s attack. “He felt like he had no other option than to shoot.”

Cooper is charged with felony burglary in Saturday’s break-in and was
wounded Saturday night, Connellan said. Charges of robbery, assault and
criminal possession of a weapon are pending in the earlier break-in and
attack, he said.

Two others were charged in Saturday’s break-in, Connellan said.

James Husted, 16, of 407 Hawley Ave., and Corey Dandrich, 18, of 1337
Butternut St., each face single counts of felony burglary.

Both were arraigned Sunday in City Court. Bail for Husted was set at
$10,000 cash or bond. Dandrich’s bail was set at $15,000 cash or bond.
Judge Kate Rosenthal also ordered both of them to stay away from Linton.

Cooper was still being treated Sunday in University Hospital, where he
was listed in fair condition, a spokeswoman said.

Cooper, who is under police guard, will be arraigned later, Connellan
said.
Connellan said the earlier attack was at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Cooper is accused of breaking into the apartment, stabbing Linton and
leaving with a television set and a jacket, Connellan said. Linton was
treated for his wound at a hospital.

Linton did not hear anyone breaking into his apartment Wednesday and,
fearing another burglary, had placed a bicycle against the door,
Connellan said. Police said they don’t know how the three suspects got
into the building. Visitors must use a buzzer to get into the lobby.
“Maybe somebody let them in,” Connellan said.

In court papers, Linton told police he had been resting on his couch
when he heard a kick at the door and someone tripping over the bicycle.
Someone shouted “Syracuse Police!”

Linton said he recognized Cooper as he came down the apartment’s hallway
and Dandrich was following. In his statement, Husted said he waited in
the hall.

Linton said Cooper appeared to have something in his hand. Linton
retrieved a 20-gauge shotgun from the bedroom and fired twice at the men
coming toward him.

Connellan said Cooper was struck in the abdomen, arms and buttocks with
birdshot. Linton legally owns the gun, Connellan said.

After the shots were fired, the three suspects ran down the stairs and
left in Dandrich’s car, a red Volvo, Connellan said. Linton said he
wrapped his gun in a towel so neighbors wouldn’t be alarmed and went
downstairs to call police because he has no phone in his apartment.

Husted and Cooper were dropped off at University Hospital, where the
staff called police. Dandrich was stopped by police a few blocks from
the hospital, Connellan said. Husted told detectives he saw a folding
knife in the seat where Cooper had been sitting.

Connellan said he did not know why Linton owed money to Cooper. Linton
could not be reached Sunday.