Family of Fla. teen that allegedly shot dad to protect mom had no history of domestic violence, records say

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Police cars outside the mobile home where the fatal shooting took place.

/ WTSP.com

(CBS/AP) ANTIOCH, Fla. - The family of the Florida teen who allegedly shot his father to protect his mother, had no reported history of domestic violence, the Tampa Bay Times says.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement records show no criminal past in the state for the father, mother or son, according to the paper.

Police say, Christopher Thorpe was allegedly choking his wife when his 17-year-old son, Channing Thorpe, rushed in and fatally shot him to death.

"I had never, ever seen three people that were so close," Evelyn Thorpe, Christopher Thorpe's mother, said to the Times. "All three of them did everything together. Everything. I just can't understand it."

A neighbor of the family, Bill Dunlap, 60, told the Tampa Bay Times that although he was unaware of any domestic violence issues at the home, Christopher Thorpe did have a temper.

"He was always ready for a confrontation," Dunlap is quoted as saying. "I didn't really like him."

The shooting took place around 10 p.m. Saturday after a small group of family and friends gathered around a bonfire outside the family's mobile home in the Antioch area of rural northeastern Hillsborough County, investigators said Sunday.

At some point, Christopher Thorpe, 36, and Jill Thorpe, 35, got into a physical argument inside the couple's mobile home. At 10:15p.m the couple's teenage son, Channing Thorpe, called police to report he had shot his dad.

Three others that were reportedly at the bonfire did not witness the shooting. No charges have been filed.

More on Crimesider:
November 27, 2012 - Fla. teen kills father to protect mom, police say

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by dvvictor December 4, 2012 3:39 PM EST: The press could use some domestic violence 101 training. That all three of them did 'everything' together probably means that the abusive partner never let his wife and son out of his control sphere. Really, does it is excuse the violence if it was reported before?

My heart goes out to the family. By shooting his father this boy saved his mother and likely himself but at such a high price. I pray he will have help reconciling this and come through it okay.; Reply to this comment

by VA_Jill November 27, 2012 7:10 PM EST

"No reported history" just means nobody ever called the cops. It does not mean no violence ever happened.

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by angelofurnightmare December 1, 2012 11:12 AM EST: Exactly what I was thinking...my brother in law made a point of beating the crap out of his wife in front of their 4 kids and altho other family members called police she always denied it when police arrived. Poor kids lived in hell for years and we could do nothing because she refused to file charges!