Craig Sumner Elliott, 68, allegedly shot Antonio Garcia Avalos, 40, in incident in Orange county

A California jogger was charged this week in the killing of a homeless man who was blocking the sidewalk.

Craig Sumner Elliott, 68, was jogging with his two dogs and pushing a cart on 28 September when he came across Antonio Garcia Avalos, 40, who was sleeping in the middle of the sidewalk, prosecutors in Orange county, California, said.

Elliott allegedly tried to wake Avalos by nudging him with the pushcart, whereupon Avalos started yelling at Elliott to leave him alone.

Elliott, who allegedly filmed their encounter, then brought a handgun out of his cart, prosecutors charged, adding that when Avalos stood and threw a shoe at Elliott, he ducked and responded by shooting Avalos three times.

Avalos subsequently died from his injuries. Elliott, who does have an active concealed carry permit issued by the local sheriff’s office, was arrested on 17 November in the incident.

    • @givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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      747 months ago

      He had two dogs and was pushing a cart that carried his gun…

      Whatever he was doing, it wasn’t jogging.

      And him taking his phone out to record himself kicking the other man and yelling at him first, was likely only because he was hoping to antagonize a homeless person so he could “defend himself”.

      He’s got to be one of those idiots who believe the “stand your ground” bullshit.

      You can’t start kicking a sleeping man and then claim you’re a victim, but he’s gonna try

      • @yenahmik@lemmy.world
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        167 months ago

        That was my first thought, reading the article. There’s no way he was just jogging. What kind of jogger takes a cart with them? I’ve never seen something like that, and I see a lot of joggers in my area.

        • @givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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          167 months ago

          When the story first broke, most articles called him a dog walker.

          Anything to not make it obvious it’s another rage addicted boomer I guess

          • @mean_bean279@lemmy.world
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            27 months ago

            Y’all telling me you ain’t ever seen someone with a stroller and a small dog in it? I see something like that at least twice a year. Guy probably has two small dogs and was pushing them in the cart if anything. He gets exercise, they get out of the house and to sniff around.

            • @SheeEttin@lemmy.world
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              27 months ago

              No, or at least not that I remember. I’ve seen plenty of people running with their dogs, but the dogs are on foot too.

        • @Arcane_Trixster@lemm.ee
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          27 months ago

          He’s 68, it’s probably more of a Walker with a basket on it. I think identifying him as a “jogger” is a generous term. I assume it’s just an old man walking his dogs around the neighborhood.

      • SeaJ
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        97 months ago

        Absolutely. This is one of the big problems with so many people carrying guns. There are many shitty people looking for a reason to use them.

      • @michaelmrose@lemmy.world
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        -147 months ago

        He allegedly nudged the guy illegally blocking the sidewalk who responded by trying to assault an old man. Do you have a copy of the video I could not find one.

        • @ZzyzxRoad@sh.itjust.works
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          57 months ago

          When the guy didn’t move after he “nudged” him with his cart (I would bet money that it was harder than a nudge but whatever) he really couldn’t just go around onto the street? No, he would have rather filmed himself fighting with someone than just be a normal person.

          No, you shouldn’t block a sidewalk. No, you shouldn’t have to walk in the street with your dogs. Fine. But what you can do is pick your fucking battles and be the bigger person.

          There’s no sane reason to condone murdering another human being instead of taking a step to the right.

        • @EtherWhack@lemmy.world
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          27 months ago

          You wake up to someone “nudging” you with their “cart” and expect not to be annoyed? Or, not to think they are trying to run the “cart” over you? Oh, and they have two (likely full-size) dogs with them. Would you really not go into fight-or-flight mode, really??? … Really?

          • @michaelmrose@lemmy.world
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            -77 months ago

            Have you noticed how most homeless folks most places are not directly obstructing the sidewalk. Instead they are of to the side, in a doorway, in a green space. Anywhere they wont directly get stepped on, woken up, or rousted. If you directly block the sidewalk you might expect to have some hassle and not react by attempting to assault people by throwing your shoes at their head.

      • tygerprints
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        -417 months ago

        But god forbid we should praise police for their response in arresting this homicidal jerk. Obviously police caused this, somehow. And are just agents of evil. Humans should be allowed to kill and rape and molest other humans with impunity. Because otherwise, some asswipe on social media might accuse you of being (GASP!!!) a “bootlicker!”

        • @ieatpillowtags@lemm.ee
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          47 months ago

          Oh look, it’s one of those bootlickers now! Remember kids, police can do no wrong and if they hurt or kill you, it’s because you didn’t show the proper deference due to your masters!

        • @Empricorn@feddit.nl
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          07 months ago

          I’ve seen entire farms with less straw than this argument.

          Police shouldn’t be “praised” for doing their jobs, in most cases. The majority of their day is spent fucking off unless some shit goes down, which is what they signed up for. Also, they’re legally immune from almost any action they take on the job, they’re very well compensated, with all the overtime pay they want, and if they do fuck up bad enough to lose a lawsuit, we all pay for it, not them.

          So yeah: how’s that leather taste??