Jogger Who Shot Teenager Not To Be Charged

He carried a gun with him during his run and ended up using it.

When Florida resident Thomas Baker went for a jog in the middle of the night last November, he brought along something unusual: a pistol loaded with hollow-point bullets. According to Baker, a teen, Carlos Mustelier, attacked him during his run. Baker pulled out his gun and shot the 18-year-old assailant eight times.

Earlier this week, prosecutors said that Baker will not be charged with murder and that he appeared to have acted in self-defense.

Since 2005, Florida has a “stand-your-ground” law that gives people the right to use deadly force as long as they “reasonably believe” that force is necessary to stop the other person from hurting them. Apparently, this law was a factor in the decision not to prosecute Baker.

After the incident, Baker was questioned by police about his motives for carrying a gun while running.

“When you go running at night in the neighborhood, do you normally arm yourself with a firearm?” a detective asked.

“I always have it on me, unless I’m going to the courthouse,” Baker replied.

For More: Tampa Bay.com