“It is just very unfortunate that some people choose to handle something as simple as a parking dispute with violence. I think that overshadows what the meaning of Memorial Day is,” Mayor Brenda Bethune told News13.
Self-Defense
The individual involved in the shooting incident has been identified as Anthony Maurice Garner, a 44-year-old resident of Albemarle, North Carolina. Garner has been formally charged by law enforcement with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
According to Garner’s family, he was acting in self-defense and was safeguarding his family from Reddick. In a GoFundMe campaign, the family asserted that Garner’s actions were in line with those of a typical father and husband. Notably, Garner’s daughter, Nubia Garner, was present in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
According to the GoFundMe, Nubia was driving, with Anthony in the passenger seat and Ashley Garner, Anthony’s wife, in the back seat. The GoFundMe stated that while they were driving on “Ocean Boulevard”, “Nubia allowed cars to enter Main Street from a hotel parking lot.”
Nubia continued driving forward without letting the last vehicle cut in front of her.
The GoFundMe post continued, stating that the driver of the vehicle, identified as Reddick, became upset and started arguing with the Garner family. Anthony is said to have rolled up his window to avoid any problems before he was slapped in the face with a loaded gun.
“Anthony managed to shoot the driver before they could harm his family,” the GoFundMe page read. “Nubia Garner then drove to the nearest police officer to report what had happened, while the driver’s friend followed them, threatening to kill them.”
South Carolina stand your ground law
In 2006, South Carolina enacted the ‘Protection of Persons and Property Act’, commonly referred to as a stand your ground law. This legislation permits individuals to employ lethal force in self-defense without the obligation to retreat if they possess a justifiable fear of imminent death or severe bodily harm to themselves or others.
The statute is applicable in locations where individuals are lawfully present, including their residence, vehicle, or place of business. Furthermore, it is relevant in specific scenarios, such as instances of unlawful entry into a dwelling or vehicle, or when an individual is forcibly removed from such premises.
The Garner family is asking the public to help to seek release Anthony, as they believe as “it was an act of self-defense.”
I agree 100 percent some act of kindness would have prevented this situation
A simple act of kindness would’ve kept this out of the tragic ending.
She was kind and lets the other cars out… She didn’t have to do that but she did… He could have waited. The victim and his friends caused all this
This truly is a sad situation. Praying for all that is involved.