Video shows moments leading up to deadly child custody shooting in Texas
LUBBOCK, Texas (CNN Newsource / KABC/WKRC) - A child custody dispute turned deadly in Texas, putting the state's "Stand Your Ground" law to the test.
The man who pulled the trigger claimed it was self-defense, but the victim's wife said video of the confrontation tells a different story.
Chad Read, 54, was attempting to pick up his 9-year-old son from his ex-wife, Christina, on Nov. 5. Read’s current wife, Jennifer, captured video of the altercation between Read and his ex-wife from the car. Kyle Carruth, Christina’s new partner, joined the argument brandishing a rifle. He demanded Read leave.
Read reached for and grabbed the gun. Carruth fired two fatal shots.
So far, no charges have been filed in the case.
David M. Guinn, Carruth’s attorney, wrote in part: “All Texans may lawfully brandish a firearm to protect themselves... Though Read came unarmed, he announced his intent to kill Kyle Carruth with Kyle’s own gun and took immediate powerful action to do so, which was unsuccessful.”
Jennifer Read’s lawyer believes self-defense does not apply.
According to KABC, the district attorney recused their office, and the police department turned the case over to the Texas attorney general.
“The attorney general is going to be looking at justification of ‘Stand Your Ground’, justification was there the threat potentially that Chad could harm Kyle, or get his hands on the weapon, so as a result Kyle shot him,” says former FBI Agent Brad Garrett.
Jennifer Read is also fighting to get custody of her husband’s kids.
