Today, down on the Portland Transit Mall, a crazy old man shot a pan-handler to death.

From the news report, the pan-handler asked for some money, (another report says there was a short dispute between the two over some perscription drugs) an argument started and the pan-handler started punching the old guy. He took a pistol out and shot the pan-hander in the head killing him instantly.

This happened at the height of rush hour and hundreds of people saw the whole sordid event. The police arrested the old man...but I don’t think they charged him with anything.

Sounds like a mugger got mugged with a near instanteous case of lead poisoning.

The old guy (58) got charged with murder.

The victim wasn’t pan-handleing. He had a history of mental difficulty. He slapped the old guy when he got off the bus knocking his glasses off. The old guy pulled out his gun and calmly shot him 3 times. Twice in the chest and once in the upper neck.

Just goes to show...you never know about anyone. Here in the States, it’s best to assume everybody is armed.