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: 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.