Police: Largo Man Who Fatally Shot Stepson Fired in Self-Defense

Corey Graff
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A 73-year-old man who fatally shot his stepson in his home last week was acting in self-defense, Largo police said Monday.

Robert Edward Gardner will not be charged for shooting 48-year-old Jeffrey Mark Matthews, police said.

“He was protecting himself,” said police spokesman Lt. Mike Loux.

Matthews arrived at the mobile home that Gardner and his wife share in the Paradise Island mobile home park at 1001 Starkey Road around 3:30 p.m. Friday, officials said.

Gardner said Monday he didn't know Matthews well and had met him only a couple of times. He said he and his wife, Barbara, had been “arguing for a few days” when Matthews showed up and threatened to beat him up.

Gardner said he retreated to his bedroom.

“I went in there and got my gun and stood in the doorway,” he said. “I was going to tell him to get the hell out. Before I could say anything, he came charging down the hallway.” Read more

 

Source: tampabay.com

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Corey Graff
Corey Graff is the managing editor of the <i><a href="https://www.gundigeststore.com/product/2023-standard-catalog-of-firearms-33rd-edition-the-illustrated-collectors-price-and-reference-guide/">Standard Catalog of Firearms</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.gundigeststore.com/product/gun-digest-2023-77th-edition/">Gun Digest</a></i> annual book. In addition, he is the author of <i>What's In Your Bug-Out Bag?</i> and <i>The Comprehensive Guide to Concealed Carry Holsters.</i> His personal interest in firearms includes handguns for hunting and self-defense as well as bolt-action rifles for western hunting.

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