Brandon Ellis
Black male
Age at time: 16
Weapon: gun
Victim photo: Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, 2009
Elliott Firby
Black male
Age at time: 54
Weapon: gun
Case type:
Robbery
Location:
Defendant's Property
Initiator:
Victim
Witnesses:
No
Case year:
2009
Location details: In the defendant's driveway in Sarasota, Sarasota County, on June 11, 2009
What happened: Elliott Firby was on his way home from work when a car started following him. When he pulled up to his house, the driver stepped out, leveled a shotgun at him and politely demanded his money. Instead, Firby fired his own weapon, a handgun he had a permit to carry. The would-be robber, 16 at the time, fled, wounded but alive. "You have to do something to protect yourself," Firby told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune at the time. "The police can't be there all the time."
The outcome: No charges. Police cited "stand your ground" as a factor in their decision. Attempted armed robbery
Investigating agency: Sarasota Police
Case decision made by: Police
Trayvon Martin’s death became controversial because circumstances leading up to the shooting cast doubt on who was to blame. The Tampa Bay Times reviewed other “stand your ground” cases for similar circumstances. The Times relied on available information, some of which may not tell the whole story. When the situation was unclear, that was noted.
| Yes | No | Unclear/ disputed |
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|---|---|---|---|
Did the victim initiate the confrontation? |
 |
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Was the victim armed? |
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Was the victim committing a crime that led to the confrontation? |
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Did the defendant pursue the victim? |
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Could the defendant have retreated to avoid the conflict? |
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Was the defendant on his or her property? |
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Did someone witness the attack? |
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Was there physical evidence? |
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Source: Sarasota Herald Tribune, June 12, 2009.
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
