Fla. teen kills father to protect mom, police say

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Police cars outside of the home where the shooting took place

/ WTSP.com

(CBS/WTSP) ANTIOCH, Fla. - Police say a teenager fatally shot his father in an attempt to defend his mother around 10p.m. Saturday, reports CBS affiliate WTSP.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says police received a call about a shooting at a mobile home on Burnt Barn Avenue in Plant City, Fla. When deputies arrived, they found 36-year-old Christopher Thorpe dead in the master bedroom, WTSP reports.

Investigators say the shooting appears to be the result of a fight between Christopher and his wife, Jill.

A verbal argument reportedly turned physical as deputies say Thorpe began beating his wife in the master bedroom. As Thorpe strangled her, their 17-year old son rushed in, armed with a handgun. He allegedly fired several shots, hitting Thorpe.

The mother was also shot in the thigh and is being treated at a nearby hospital, according to WTSP.

Police have not arrested the teen and he remains in the custody of his mother.

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by iwillmisschris November 27, 2012 9:08 PM EST

If Channing is not charged, then the PD should be laughed at. Did the PD check Channing's alcohol level?
Did Channing try to stop the attack without shotting? Did he yell for others to help? Did he truly fear for his own life too? To stop the attack did he try hitting his father, maybe with an object? Did he shoot his gun into the air to try to stop the attack?
With my experience, many young naive boys want to kill their fathers, They want to be "Alpha Male", perhaps tired of listening to their parents fight in another room, wanting to defend their mother, while sitting quietly holding a loaded gun wanting to intervene and put a permanent stop to the madness, but seldom taking such action. Channing did take action. Sadly, action that had possibly been in his mind for many years.
Did Chris have to die? NO! Would just a non fatal shot to the leg or arm successfully stop the attack on his mother? Yes it would have! I would guess that Channing wanted to kill his father. Channing wanted Chris dead. Channing wanted to shot his father again & again. He found the perfect excuse & exicuted his desires. A sigle shot into the air can stop an attack. THREE SHOTS!!!! Shoting someone three times says: DIE DIE DIE!!! Once again: Shooting someone three times says: DIE DIE DIE!!! Was it truly self defense or just simply murder? If you want to know the truth; ask Channing. I doubt the PD will bother to. Chris you will be missed.

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by browniesanyone November 27, 2012 9:23 PM EST: quit your ranting - you weren't there and you don't know what he should have done.


by tuckermt83 November 28, 2012 8:31 AM EST: Wow somebody must know this person personally to think they KNOW what happened shame shame


by m577a2 November 27, 2012 2:25 PM EST: I feel terrible for the kid but he did what he had to do, kudos.; Reply to this comment


by AbleWitness November 27, 2012 1:26 PM EST: When I was a kid, a teenager who attended our church had to shoot his father dead for the same reason, spousal abuse. I remember him coming back on Sunday and one of the Elders telling him, "Son, I'm sorry you had to shoot your father." Instantly, he got a father figure back. No blame whatsoever was placed on him. The healing begins when a kid learns that some dogs go rabid and some people go berserk and there is no way of fixing them. It's a shame, but that is life.; Reply to this comment