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Man Kills Unarmed Teen in Florida Over Loud Music

Last Friday, Michael David Dunn was in Jacksonville, Florida to attend the wedding of his son. After the wedding, Dunn stopped at a store with his girlfriend. At the store, four unarmed teens were in an SUV close to where he parked his vehicle. When Dunn’s girlfriend went into the store, Dunn commented to the teens about their loud music. The two parties began to argue and then Dunn pulled a gun and fired at the SUV between eight and nine times. Jordan Davis, 17, was shot twice and killed, according to AlterNet.

Lt. Rob Schoonover, a Jacksonville homicide detective, said, “Our victim was shot a couple of times. …They were listening to the music. It was loud; they [other teens] admitted that. But I mean that is not a reason for someone to open fire on them.”

Dunn drove from the scene when his girlfriend got back in the car and admitted to her that he “fired at these kids.” While at a hotel, the couple heard on the news that one of the victims died, and they returned to their home in Brevard County, Florida. Dunn was arrested at his home on Saturday after witnesses wrote down his license plate number.

Dunn told police after being arrested that “he felt threatened and that is the reason he took action.” Dunn is being held without bail and is going to face charges of murder and attempted murder. He pled not guilty on Monday in Brevard County court.

Robin Lemonidis, the attorney for Dunn, said, “It will be very clear that Mr. Dunn acted very responsibly and as any responsible firearms owner would have acted under these circumstances.”

Gene Nichols, the Jacksonville Attorney, said, “Mr. Dunn is going to have to answer the question, ‘Why did you not call the sheriff’s office? If you are reasonably protecting yourself, why did you leave the scene, get in the car, and the next day, flee the jurisdiction of Duval County?’ … There’s no indication that Jordan or anyone else in that car had a gun, there’s no indication that they were any threat to Mr. Dunn.”

Jim Vassallo: Jim is a freelance writer based out of the suburbs of Philadelphia in New Jersey. Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and minor in Journalism from Rowan University in 2008. While in school he was the Assistant Sports Director at WGLS for two years and the Sports Director for one year. He also covered the football, baseball, softball and both basketball teams for the school newspaper 'The Whit.' Jim lives in New Jersey with his wife Nicole, son Tony and dog Phoebe.

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