This will be one of the more embarrassing stories on the cell block. According to numerous reports (and Luke McCoy), convicted felon Brandon Harper of Atlanta opened fire on another man during a verbal altercation. His intended victim returned fire and, as it turns out, was a better shot.
The 38-year-old Harper apparently missed the memo that bringing a gun to a verbal argument requires you to actually hit what you’re aiming at. According to the Atlanta Police Department, Harper pulled his weapon and fired multiple rounds at his target. Not only did he miss every single shot, but he gave his uninjured opponent the perfect, legally airtight reason to draw his own weapon and return fire in absolute self-defense.
The intended victim proved to have a significantly better handle on marksmanship, putting two rounds directly into Harper to end the dispute.
As USA Carry describes it:
Investigators determined the two men had been in a verbal dispute. Police say Harper was the primary aggressor and fired a firearm multiple times at the other man. That man returned fire in self-defense, striking Harper twice.
The investigation also revealed that Harper is a convicted felon and was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants. As a felon, he was prohibited under both Georgia and federal law from possessing a firearm in the first place.
When Atlanta police arrived at the 800 block of Oak Street, they quickly sorted out the dynamic duo, detaining the uninjured shooter and sending a very conscious, very embarrassed Harper to the local hospital. As it turns out, the gunfight wasn’t Harper’s only legal misstep that morning. Investigators quickly discovered that Harper is a convicted felon who already had a collection of outstanding warrants out for his arrest.
While the man who shot back was cleared on the scene and faces absolutely zero charges for his textbook display of armed self-defense, Harper’s next ride will be a direct transfer from his hospital bed to a cell at the Fulton County Jail.
You can read additional details in the original story on USAcarry.com or on the Atlanta PD News feed.
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