The following vignettes describe the circumstances for killings not ruled self-defense by private individuals with permits to carry concealed handguns. The incidents below all occurred in Maryland. The descriptions include the current, known status of any charges filed against the concealed carry killer as reported by news sources as well as noting instances where the perpetrator committed suicide.
The Violence Policy Center welcomes any new information regarding the status of any case (with verifiable source(s)). Use this link to contact the VPC: http://www.vpc.org/contact.htm.
Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Brian Delen PENDING
Date: December 27, 2023
People Killed: 1
Circumstances: On December 27, 2023, concealed carry permit holder Brian Delen allegedly shot and killed Meghan Lewis following an altercation. According to charging documents, Delen was delivering food when he saw Lewis, who identified as a transgender woman, walking toward his car. Delen said, “Are you waiting for a food delivery sir?” According to Delen, Lewis took offense to what she believed was Delen misgendering her and began yelling at him. Delen began to drive away when Lewis followed on foot. After Delen stopped his vehicle, a physical altercation took place. Delen allegedly shot Lewis during the altercation. She was taken to the hospital where she later died. Delen was charged with second degree murder, first degree assault, and a gun charge.
Source: “Man charged with killing transgender woman following argument in Harford County,” wmar2news.com, December 29, 2023.
Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Carlos Lavanto Garner PENDING
Date: May 8, 2023
People Killed: 1
Circumstances: On May 8, 2023, concealed carry permit holder Carlos Lavanto Garner, 37, allegedly shot and killed Carl Francis Braxton, 30, following a confrontation in Bryans Road, Maryland. Prior to the shooting, Braxton reportedly assaulted his girlfriend inside their townhouse. After the assault, the woman escaped. Braxton saw Garner walking his dog and allegedly threatened him and “aggressively” walked toward him. Garner then allegedly shot Braxton who was taken to the hospital where he died. Braxton was an eight-year veteran of D.C. Fire and EMS. In December 2023, Garner was arrested and charged with second degree murder, manslaughter, and felony use of a firearm.
Source: “Bryans Road man charged in fatal shooting of DC firefighter,” wtop.com, December 22, 2023.
Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Darrin Anthony White PENDING
Date: April 11, 2023
People Killed: 1
Circumstances: On April 11, 2023, concealed handgun permit holder Darrin Anthony White, 25, allegedly shot and killed Erwin Bernard Redding, 38, outside Jokers Bar and Grill in Funkstown. According to surveillance footage, the incident began with an argument around a pool table, and turned physical as the men involved moved to a bar area near a side door of the establishment. White allegedly approached Redding and the two men argued “chest to chest” before White pushed Redding and a bartender tried to intervene. Redding then allegedly punched White twice in the head and neck area. A second bartender tried to intervene as the fight continued. After bartenders briefly separated the men, Redding went behind the bar and allegedly retrieved a metal knife and swung it at White. More punches were exchanged when White allegedly removed a handgun from his waistband, holding it at his side as the two men argued. White then put the gun back in his waistband. White left the bar before returning, talking to Redding, and leaving again. According to court documents, when Redding left the bar the two men exchanged words and White walked toward Redding with the gun in his right hand. Redding walked down the bar’s steps toward the sidewalk and White took three steps back before allegedly raising the gun and shooting. White allegedly fired at least nine shots at Redding, striking him in the arm and head. Redding was taken to Meritus Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. After the shooting, White got into a car with another man and left the scene. The next morning White’s attorney contacted investigators and claimed that White was assaulted and stabbed by Redding and that White shot him in self defense. White turned himself in to police and was charged with first and second degree murder, felony first degree assault, and several misdemeanors including the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony or violent crime.
Source: “Hagerstown man charged with murder after bar fight in nearby Funkstown,” heraldmailmedia.com, April 12, 2023.
Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Charles Edward “Pete” Richter Jr. CONVICTED
Date: April 3, 2011
People Killed: 1
Circumstances: On April 3, 2011, Charles Edward “Pete” Richter Jr., 66, shot and killed his neighbor Mark Xander, 55, after Xander’s Rottweiler went on to Richter’s property. Richter’s defense attorney told a judge deciding bail that Richter had a permit to carry a handgun issued by the Maryland State Police. Richter was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and use of a handgun in a felony crime.
UPDATE: On May 17, 2012, Charles Edward “Pete” Richter Jr. was found guilty of second-degree murder and the use of a handgun to commit a crime of violence in the death of Mark Xander.
Source: “Richter guilty of 2nd-degree murder,” stardem.com, May 18, 2012; “Stevensville man, accused of killing neighbor in dispute over dog, claims self defense,” cecilwhig.com, April 7, 2011.
Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Paul Warren Pardus SUICIDE
Date: September 16, 2010
People Killed: 2 (including shooter)
Circumstances: On September 16, 2010, Virginia concealed handgun permit holder Paul Warren Pardus, 50, shot and wounded Johns Hopkins Hospital physician David B. Cohen with a semiautomatic handgun Pardus had hidden in his waistband. Pardus then retreated to a room where he shot and killed his 84-year-old mother, Jean Davis, before taking his own life at the Baltimore, Maryland, hospital. According to Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III, Pardus “became emotionally distraught and reacted…and was overwhelmed by the news of his mother’s condition.” Pardus’ mother suffered from arthritis and rheumatism and had undergone surgery the prior week. Regarding the possible motive for the attack, Pardus’ brother stated, “I guess because he thought my mom was suffering because the surgery wasn’t successful and she probably wouldn’t be able to walk again. She was a dear, sweet lady.”
Source: “Distraught Hopkins Gunman Kills Self, Mom,” cbsnews.com, September 16, 2010; Arlington County, Virginia Circuit Court record of Commonwealth Response to Concealed Handgun Permit Application.