What happened in Highland Heights
Memphis police say 18-year-old Leotha Bush walked up to a home in the Highland Heights neighborhood on June 8 and asked for a cigarette lighter. When that did not get him anywhere, he allegedly came back a few minutes later and entered the house. According to local reports, Bush then pointed what looked like a handgun at the homeowner and demanded keys. Police say the weapon was actually a BB gun that looked like a semi-automatic pistol, which is about as honest as a fake Rolex and just as smart when you are trying to commit a crime.
The workers fight back
The victim said he spoke in Spanish to warn another co-worker who was working near the open front door. Police say Bush then aimed the black handgun at the back of the other man’s head and demanded his belongings. Instead, the man turned around, grabbed the weapon, and threw it into the front yard. The two men then wrestled Bush to the ground, tied him to the front railing with a nylon strap, and called police. That is what you call a neighborhood security plan with no committee meetings, no grant money, and no excuses.
Neighbors say the area is fed up
Neighbors told reporters the area has become too dangerous and said they were glad everyone was okay. Walter Holston said, “Thank God that everyone’s all right,” and added that the neighborhood is “just so dangerous now.” Another neighbor, speaking anonymously, said a BB gun still feels like a real gun when it is pointed at you, and that people should defend themselves. In plain English, that is common sense. When someone pulls a gun on you, fake or not, you do not stop to admire the craftsmanship.
Police charges and the bigger problem
According to an affidavit, Bush admitted to police that he pulled out the BB gun on the owner but claimed it was only a prank and not a robbery attempt. Police were not buying the comedy routine and charged him with armed robbery and carrying an imitation firearm. He was being held on $150,000 bond as of June 9. The case also lands in Shelby County, where public frustration has grown over crime and weak enforcement. State lawmakers even passed a law aimed at forcing more reporting from the Memphis Safe Task Force cases after concerns about dismissals and lax handling by the district attorney’s office. When the state has to step in to push basic accountability, you know the people in charge have really lowered the bar.
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