The surrogate
It begins with a woman who yearns for a baby and another who is willing and able to give her one. You can imagine the motives of the prospective parents. But what about the woman willing to carry a baby, give birth and then walk away?
Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
ST. PETERSBURG — A masked intruder was shot dead with his own gun Friday after a struggle with the man whose apartment he was burglarizing, police said.
Jack Donaldson, 27, arrived home about noon to find the burglar inside, armed with a semiautomatic handgun. A struggle ensued, and the burglar dropped the gun.
Donaldson picked it up and shot him dead.
He then saw another man running away from his apartment, located on the west side of a duplex at 1018 22nd Ave. S.
He fired at least once, but apparently missed. He then called police. Donaldson could not provide a detailed description, saying only that the man was wearing all black, police said.
When police arrived at Donaldson's apartment they found the body of Lajuan Dandy, 39, still wearing a cloth mask and gloves, said police spokesman Bill Proffitt.
Dandy, whose last known address is 650 60th Ave. S, has a long criminal history including charges for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and drug possession.
Police aren't sure if anything was taken.
Detective J. De Luca said police will refer the case to prosecutors but probably will not recommend criminal charges.
"It appears to be more of a self-defense," De Luca said.
Police shut down part of 22nd Avenue S during the investigation. Spectators surrounded yellow crime scene tape as word spread about what happened inside the duplex.
"Who's to say they won't hit you?" asked Vincent Jackson, 42, who said he lives about a block away. "It could have happened to anyone. You can never say."
Cecilia Williams said she likes the neighborhood and feels safe despite the shooting. She's raising four children down the street from the duplex.
She hears gunfire and sees suspicious activity sometimes but knows the neighbors on her street are good people, she said.
"It's terrible when anybody dies," she said, adding she also sympathizes with Donaldson. "I wouldn't want to walk into my house and see somebody in my house."
Stephanie Garry can be reached at (727) 892-2374 or sgarry@sptimes.com.
[Last modified: Jul 25, 2008 02:11 PM]
Comments on this article
by Lisa
Jul 25, 2008 2:11 PM
You Know everyone is entitled to their own opinion however: if the tables where turned and it was one of your friends the criminal past wouldnt matter what would matter is that one of your friends is gone. Fila you will be missed!
by lil d
Jul 22, 2008 8:19 PM
i think it is very sad that this gets printed and on the news before knowing all the facts. i happen to know that it took 3 hours for this supposed homeowner to call the police. why wait so long?????????
by Billie
Jul 21, 2008 7:20 PM
The young man actually killed himself because he went into the mans house with a gun, so I'm assuming burgler would have shot homeowner.
by tim
Jul 20, 2008 10:56 PM
Classic case of only the criminal having a gun and the law-abiding citizen having to "borrow" it for a few minutes just to clean up a few details.
by joe tampa
Jul 20, 2008 10:56 PM
At last some sanity has returned to South St. Pete!
by H&K40
Jul 20, 2008 10:56 PM
This guy committed ag battery on a Police officer. That means he was willing to go way past a simple robbery. Donaldson has some cojones. Personally I'm using my weapon to create distance unless I'm backed into a corner.
by John
Jul 20, 2008 10:56 PM
Yeah, the guy was robbing the apt but is that a reason to take a life? We would be alot better off if ALL guns were confiscated. Maybe then we wouldn't have a young man killig his own self.
by Dionysis
Jul 20, 2008 10:56 PM
This is an exellent example of "gun control".
by Don
Jul 20, 2008 8:19 AM
Great news! Another piece of garbage going under the grass. We will get them one at a time. Sounds like the loser of the fight was a real ..... Dandy!
by Home Sick
Jul 20, 2008 8:19 AM
Reading comments supporting Donaldson makes me miss the Tampa area. WPB has too many anti self defense people. If this were the PBPost comments would be supporting the criminal. Thank God 4 good people who believe in fighting back against criminals.
by Marybeth
Jul 20, 2008 8:14 AM
send this article to DOCTOR GORSKI along with a copy of our Bill of Rights!
by Paige
Jul 20, 2008 8:13 AM
When you're a criminal, you gotta expect this sort of thing might happen some time or other...
by Bill
Jul 20, 2008 8:13 AM
I guess LaJuan Dandy (too bad we couldn't see his picture - both before and after) didn't get the transcript of the Obama speech about taking responsibility for your actions.
The only question is how long until the Uhurus show up - if so, reload.
by Sara
Jul 20, 2008 8:13 AM
AMEN FOR THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS.
by Gilbert
Jul 20, 2008 8:03 AM
Informative article, it shows the results of a bad person, doing a bad thing and the end results! I suppose the deceased family will try and seek compensation! Glad Mr. Donaldson did not get injured.
by citizen
Jul 20, 2008 8:02 AM
i work at a funeral home and its sad to see so many young men dying, but he killed his own self. hats off to you mr Donaldson
by Peter
Jul 20, 2008 8:02 AM
Jack Donaldson is the man.
by Lil Sis
Jul 20, 2008 7:59 AM
What is being said holds some truth, but at the same time Lajuan was still somebody's son, he was somebody's brother.....he was my brother. So despite his criminal history, he was very much loved & will b missed. This only shows a small piece of him.
by Bette
Jul 19, 2008 2:46 PM
One less criminal on the street. Way to go Mr. Donaldson!
by damon
Jul 19, 2008 12:43 PM
owned! while I am very happy to hear the outcome,how in the hell did this perp end up fighting with the guy,losing his gun,and then getting shot with it? that is just one incompetent criminal right there..must have been holding it "gangsta style".
by Sarcastically Yours
Jul 19, 2008 12:43 PM
Sounds close to me. Donaldson could have walked in reverse out of his apartment and waken authorities. Afterall, he did have a safe exit. Next move, he should of gone to church and prayed for the bums.
by lsb
Jul 19, 2008 12:42 PM
Way yo go! Defend yourself!
by Ken
Jul 19, 2008 12:42 PM
Dangerous, but good work, and good shooting.
by by beth
Jul 19, 2008 12:42 PM
Way to go Mr. Donaldson, my husband would of have done the same thing..yes!!!
by Bill
Jul 19, 2008 12:42 PM
I couldn't wait to comment on this but JoeF said everything that I was going to say. Amen JoeF, Amen.
by john
Jul 19, 2008 9:02 AM
One for the good guy.Maybe this will send a massage to any wannna be burglar.
by yerneighbor
Jul 19, 2008 8:12 AM
Cool - way to go Jack.
by BubbaB
Jul 19, 2008 8:12 AM
Bingo, Got One!!
by Joseph
Jul 19, 2008 8:12 AM
Give a cigar to mr. Donaldson
by tash
Jul 19, 2008 8:12 AM
nice. score one for the good guys. although the Times editorial board probably thinks jack should have waited on police to protect his home.
by E.C.
Jul 19, 2008 8:12 AM
I'm do glad Donaldson is ok. If someone enters your home with a semiautomatic and you run into them inside, there simply is NO other choice. Poor Donaldson is lift with a mess in his home because of some idiot thug.
by Billy
Jul 19, 2008 8:12 AM
The guy has on a mask and gloves with a gun and the cops say "It appears to be more of a self-defense". How about it IS self defense and he should get a medal and a key to the city.
by Piobair
Jul 19, 2008 8:12 AM
Good job Mr. Donaldson! We can tick Mr. Dandy off of our list of violent habitual offenders.
by marie
Jul 19, 2008 8:11 AM
One less prisoner to give room and board to.
by Evan
Jul 19, 2008 8:11 AM
A GREAT Human interest story.The Victim becomes a Hero
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.
News
