News-Record.com

Greensboro police reported today they've unraveled the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Jamar Lamont Stimpson Sept. 16.

He was killed by Justin Ryan Massey, 26, who's been charged with ...

... possession of a firearm by a felon.

Here's Massey's DOC record.

You'll never guess.

He's on probation for previous offenses.

Is he getting off easy again? It looks that way.

Although he's still breathing, it seems Mr. Massey was a victim back on Sept. 16. Stimpson and Frank Jamall Rush were trying to rob him at gunpoint.during a prearranged drug deal, police say.

Rush is charged with felony conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.

Here's Mr. Rush's DOC record.

This young man has made quite a career of similar activities.

For that matter, despite his youth, Mr. Stimpson was well-acquainted with the criminal life. Here's his record.

So, Stimpson and Rush pulled a gun on Massey while they were all in Massey's car for a drug deal. Massey had reason to believe they might shoot him. He took measures to make sure that didn't happen. Stimpson ended up dead with "multiple" gunshot wounds. Rush ran. Massey, after removing Stimpson from his car, drove away.

I spoke with police Capt. Janice Rogers, who noted people have a right to defend themselves when they're in a life-threatening situation, even if they're doing something illegal at the time. That's why the DA's office doesn't plan to charge Massey with murder.

OK, but ...

... firearm possession?

Maybe that will be enough to send this guy to prison. It's a probation violation as well as a separate offense.

Rush, too, warrants tough prosecution.

Characters like this are, as they say, a menace to society.