Security Guard Appears In Court After Shooting Robbery Suspect
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - An armed security guard accused of shooting a robbery suspect in Homewood earlier this month was in court for a preliminary hearing today.
John Carter, 53, of Verona man is charged with aggravated assault after shooting a man, who allegedly robbed a delivery truck in Homewood.
"He believes and I believe and I think everyone will believe in the end, that he did the right thing yet he's in the position where he's in the box trying to prove his innocence," defense attorney Steve Townsend said.
On Oct.2, Edward Brown allegedly grabbed a money bag out of a delivery truck at Triangle Candy and Tobacco.
Carter, working for Triangle as a guard, gave chase. He opened fire on Brown, striking the 32-year-old in the abdomen.
"This area where this took place in Homewood, it's like Afghanistan, it's Bosnia. Shootings there are almost a daily occurrence," Townsend said. "Someone's threatening you with bodily force and you're in fear of serious bodily injury, you have to do what you have to do to protect yourself and that's what happened."
Carter, a 16-year veteran and qualified to carry a firearm, told police Brown turned around and reached for his waist.
Carter thought he had a gun and fired. However, there was no gun.
Carter told police a bystander yelled that Brown had a gun, but videotape showed Brown, who would be charged with robbery, never turned around and never had a gun. Brown survived his injuries.
"I believe that he's innocent. I don't believe that he committed a crime and I believe that that will come out in the end. Unfortunately, he's left in the situation where he's probably going to have to take this case to trial," Townsend said.
Carter remains free on bond and continues to work as an armed security guard.
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