Man Pulls Toy Gun In an Attempt To Snatch Child, is Killed By Mother's Boyfriend

A 38-year-old man who was out on bail “pending court proceedings for being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing controlled substances for sale and possessing stolen property,” was shot and killed Saturday at his child’s birthday party in a senseless turn of events.

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The unidentified 38-year-old victim about 4:30 p.m. went to the Tunnel Road residence of his ex-girlfriend, Amanda Rizer, and became enraged that Matthew Robinson, 32, of Redding was there. The victim and Rizer shared a child in common and Saturday was the child’s first birthday, deputies said.

Robinson told deputies he recently started a relationship with Rizer.

The victim left after an argument, but returned 20 minutes later and said he was going to take the child, deputies said.

Robison [sic] had a .38-caliber handgun that he used to fire a warning shot when the victim advanced on him. Deputies say the victim got what appeared to be a 9mm-handgun from a vehicle and pointed it at Robinson, who, fearing for his safety, shot the victim once in the chest. The victim later died at Mercy Medical Center in Redding.

Robinson isn’t a paragon of the community, having a “lengthy criminal record” according to police, but no felony convictions. He was probably in the wrong for firing a warning shot (as we’ve noted multiple times, you are typically either justified in firing in self-defense, or not firing a shot at all in the eyes of the law in most jurisdictions), but the fact remains Robinson did display beyond the shadow of a doubt that he was armed and willing to defend himself. He made his defensive capabilities clear.

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I’m not sure what was running through the head of the 38-year old “victim,” but upon seeing/hearing Robinson’s warning shot, the “victim” announced that he had a gun in his vehicle, left, and returned with a toy handgun (likely an airsoft pistol) with the orange tip removed, and  pointed it at Robinson. Robinson responded with a single shot to the man’s chest, which proved to be fatal.

At this moment, officials are treating the case as a justified self-defense shooting. Robinson’s “lengthy criminal record” apparently includes only misdemeanors, and so he is not a prohibited person.

The deceased is alleged to have had a history of violence according to both Robinson and Rizer.

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