Societal/Economic Crisis Creates Killers and Their Victims

The stories from my original hometown of Gallatin TN take another turn from the police taser death this week to the home invasion murder of a well known local figure.

My heart goes out to the family, especially Dickie Lassiter's siblings, Robert and Mary Lou.

10/30/09

CASTALIAN SPRINGS, Tenn. -- The Sumner County Sheriff's Department arrested an 18-year-old man in a fatal home invasion shooting that occurred early Friday morning.Police said the home invasion occurred at a home in Castalian Springs along Hilton Lane at about 4:30 a.m.

Dickey Lassiter, 61, a resident of the home, was shot multiple times with a shotgun in the chest and died. Sheriff Bob Barker said officials arrested Tyler Reed, 18, of Gallatin, a student at Volunteer State Community College.The sheriff said both Lassiter and Reed exchanged several rounds of gunfire, but Reed was not hit. Barker said Lassiter's roommate was home at the time of the shooting and called 911.

A deputy happened to be in the area and quickly took Reed into custody.Lassiter was well known and generous in the community, said neighbors. It was unclear why the home invasion occurred or if the two men knew each other."If you didn't have a dime, he'd give you the last cent in his pocket. That's the way he was. He'd give you anything he had," said Janie Ensley, a friend of Lassiter who cleaned his house for about 10 years. {more}

 suspect killer...


Sumner County Sheriff Bob Barker said the suspect was armed with a shotgun and exchanged gunfire with Lassiter, who attempted to defend himself with a handgun.

The 61-year-old Lassiter suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.

The suspect, Tyler Reed, 18, was located on the property and taken into custody.  {more - WKRN}  

Dickie is the latest victim of a societal/economic crisis that breeds children who don't know the value of life. A problem that is apparent, but not often acknowledged until it walks right up to our doorstep.