Douglas man shot in gang-related altercation


Published/Last Modified on Friday, October 16, 2009 11:20 PM MDT


A 61-year-old Douglas man is shot in the abdomen during the course of a fight, believed to be gang-related.


 On Thursday, October 15, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Douglas Police responded to the intersection of 15th St. and E Avenue regarding a fight in progress with possible shots fired. 


Upon arrival, police found a 61-year-old man sitting on the curbside of the street. Police discovered that the man had been shot in the abdomen with a small caliber handgun. The man was conscious, alert, and oriented, and was subsequently transported by helicopter to University Medical Center for treatment of his wound. The shooting occurred at 650 15th St., where the man resides with two male juveniles, one of them his son. It is unclear at this time whether the victim was part of the fight or was attempting to stop the fight when the shooting occurred.

Douglas Police detectives are investigating the shooting and believe the shooting is gang-related, but cannot confirm that at this time. Detectives have developed several leads in the case, and the investigation is continuing.

The 61-year-old victim is currently in stable condition at the University Medical Center.

Comments

    Realist wrote on Oct 29, 2009 6:46 PM:

    " The problem is bad, but it could be worse. There has always been a small gang problem here, the news just never covered it. I don't defend these kids, because that is what they are. Perhaps if we had things for them to do, a boys and girls club, something to keep them off the streets it would be better. Nonetheless, there will always be a small criminal element within this community, it is after all inhabited by humans. No town is perfect and this town is far from. However, I still feel safe walking at night. I have never been approached by a gang member. I figure if you leave them alone, they will leave you alone. "

    Easter bunny to Maria wrote on Oct 27, 2009 4:28 PM:

    " I'm sure that's your real name too. "

    Daniel to Maria wrote on Oct 27, 2009 4:27 PM:

    " Well Maria, evidently you have not had a drive-by where the bullet goes through your children's bedroom wall missing one of your children by inches. Or maybe you haven't been confronted by a group of them demanding anthing from you and if you refuse, have it taken from you. Possibly you have not taken the time to speak to them to express your displeasure at their selling drugs in front of your home only to have them assault you and shoot more bullets at your house in the dead of night where they can hide and not be seen.
    People keep their name from these sites because the gang members read them too and then seek them out for retaliation.
    If it walks like a duck; talks like a duck; and acts like a duck; it's a duck and should be treated as a duck.
    If it walks like a pig; keeps their home like a pig; and surrounds itself with filth like a pig; then it's a pig and needs to be treated as a pig.
    There is nothing wrong with people espressing their opinions about how unsafe it is with this gang element around them. We don't leave slivers of wood under our skin because it will get infected. It needs to be removed. All they are saying is these gangs are like a sliver of wood. Get a grip on reality. "

    Smiley wrote on Oct 27, 2009 11:24 AM:

    " Hi, Maria! I loved what you said! I know that there are nice people out there who want me to move on and succeed. Thank you so much Maria for volunteering yourself and your home to help me and my future offspring get a better life with you! Can you please give me your address so my family and I can live with you while we get a better life. "

    T wrote on Oct 26, 2009 11:00 AM:

    " Many of these gang members are arrested over and over again just to have the county attorney do plea deals and drop charges. The County Attorney only wants the big cases and does not see how 1 person committing 20 small crimes affects our community. He sees only that it is a small crime such as vandalism, graffiti, shoplifting or the likes. Well, Mr County Attorney... it adds up and because they get away with crimes, their crimes become bigger as they become bolder and maybe then you will want the noteriety of the big case and put them in jail. "

    To Maria the bleeding heart wrote on Oct 25, 2009 10:38 PM:

    " Get real lady,gang members are bad news. They attract crime and have nothing positive to offer our community. Most of them are here because they have relatives at the prison and they want to be near them, others have come from big cities hiding out and trying to perpetuate their evil ways here. You, Maria are so wrong in trying to blame others for these losers.Why don't you Maria start a gang prevention program and see how far you get...nowhere, why because these fools will never change. They will not work but will rob your home to get their money for drugs. Don't be a bleeding heart, realize they cause fear and will only escalate crime. I dare you to confront them with your philosophy, they'll either cuss you out or assault you. Face reality we need to have these gang members out of here. Oh and Maria you better use a dictionary next time you write a comment! Chances are you weren't born here and also receive a DES check. "

    Maria wrote on Oct 23, 2009 12:36 PM:

    " Oh my Gosh! Who are you people you are not ones to talk you cant even put your names Who are you to cast the first stone? What makes these so called gang(families)members? we do we look upon them like we are better how many of you are secret drinkers how many of you commit adultery how many of you verbally ,physically mentally abuse your spouse kids employees? we do not no how these other HUMAN BEINGS feel do they feel hopeless because maybe they were sexually abuse by a family member friend etc and there was no one to understand were they told day after day that they would amount to nothing so they just gave up? it is a chain reation that started somplace in the family and it is not just "gangs" it is everywhere we all need to work together and help these young people move on and make a good life for themselves and thier future offsprings I can not believe the inhuman thoughts you all have "throw them out of town" how does the saying go "clean your own porch before you comment on someone elses spend time with a child yours someone elses make a difference in someones life "

    good point sick of gangs wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:40 AM:

    " i too have seen this ongoing problem within our city. i am one of those concerned citizens who thinks that if nothing is done about it, it will just get worse. the sad part about it is that the city officials all know that this is going on, but do nothing about it. however if something such as this tragdey was to happen to one of these officials, god willing it doesnt, im sure they will stop all presses and want something done about it that very moment. wake up city and do something before anything happens to a innocent bystander. lets not wait until someone who has a TITLE has a misfortune happen to them. PLEASE STOP THE VIOLENCE! "

    Prayer for Douglas wrote on Oct 21, 2009 12:18 AM:

    " I think this is just another event of proof that we need to pray for Douglas and reach out to these "gang members." Everyone needs to have a feeling of belonging in their lives, and if we make them feel unwelcome here, then how are we contributing to the community. If we got "rid" of everyone who upset us or caused us distress, there'd be no one left in this world. We need to pray for Douglas, pray for those who are struggling, and believe in change for the better in Douglas. The youth of this town need us, its no time to give up on them now. Violence, drugs, stealing, its all ways to try to fill a void. Something we think we need, but there is an answer. Trust in the Lord, pray! God Bless you Douglas! No one is giving up on you! Amen. "

    Gold wrote on Oct 20, 2009 11:07 PM:

    " I had a great time reading around your post as I read it extensively. I am looking forward to hearing more from you.

    Regards,
    Gold "

    To Sick of Gangs wrote on Oct 20, 2009 9:47 PM:

    " I totally agree with "sick of gangs". Good kids cannot go to the parks because these gangs have taken over and intimidate everyone. They are doing grafitti, use filthy language in public places, look and are like convicts with tatoos all over. It is sickening. What's wrong with the police? They know who they are, get them out of here and rid Douglas of these families. We the tax payers have to support these convicts because the police don't have the guts to clean up. "

    Near By Resident wrote on Oct 19, 2009 7:24 PM:

    " I agree with th previous comment we still provide them with food stamps and health insurance. I heard these shots and i didnt figure douglas was this bad. A friend told the police that those particular streets should be patroled and he responded by saying that they are always busy with bigger things then to come and keep those streets watched. i was sadly disappointed "

    more like loser town wrote on Oct 19, 2009 5:09 PM:

    " One of the many reasons why I hate Douglas . Parents dont know how to handle their own children. And "Sick of Gangs" has said it all... If you want to run out all these "pigs", just take away their food stamps and DES checks. "

    Sick of Gangs wrote on Oct 17, 2009 6:22 PM:

    " Gangs should not exist in Douglas, but the police and community seem to allow this stupidity to go on. It will get worse if we don't do something about it.Landlords should not rent to gang families,and we should make them feel very unwelcome. I have seen this situation grow, they impact our community in a very negative way. Ask the police, they (gangs) are the constant shoplifters and drug dealers and everything else. They destroy properties because they live like pigs. just visit Bay Acres and you'll see. The police know who these gang bangers are and if something serious isn't done we will be like Tucson where killings and gang violence take place everyday. Wake up Douglas these losers will ruin our town. I can name ten families that if we run them out we'd all be better off. And yes they all receive food stamps, free health insurance and rent money, they don't work but stand around all day in sreet corners and procreating more kids to supplement their DES checks. They get arrested and re-arrested, it's a game to them. We need to step up and clear them out. "

Write a Comment

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. They review submitted comments periodically during the day for offensive or off-topic content before posting. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Douglas Dispatch is not liable for messages from third parties.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
* Personal Information (phone numbers, addresses, etc.)

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in douglasdispatch.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the Douglas Dispatch. The Douglas Dispatch does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Douglas Dispatch spokespersons.

Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

(optional)
   









Contact Us

Email the Editor
530 11th Street (85607)
P.O. Drawer H
Douglas, AZ 85608
tel: 520.364.3424
fax: 520.364.6750