Not sure if you all have seen this but it appears that Tom was shot in the arm or leg and is fine and someone was found dead in one of his buildings. The person that was found dead was supposed to be the same person that shot Tom. Rumors are that is was someone from the herp community but I will let the news give us a name first

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...off%2F&h=172f1

Not sure if that is the latest article but I got to run back out to work so it is all I can share right now.

Jason

link doesn't seem to work

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2011/03/gun_man_barricades_himself_in.php

Crime
Gunman Barricades Himself on Farm Full of Snakes
By Kyle Munzenrieder, Thu., Mar. 31 2011 @ 3:55PM
Categories: Crime
Share12
0diggsdigg
tomcrutchfield.jpg
​At Tom Crutchfield's Reptile Farm in Homestead, you can find deadly creatures such as Chinese bamboo vipers, Mojave rattlesnakes, black Pakistan cobras, and, apparently, right now, a man with a gun. Yes, according to reports, a man has barricaded himself inside a building on the property after shooting another man.

Reports are sparse, but the Miami-Dade Police Department's Special Response Team has arrived at 35000 SW 212nd Ave. to deal with the gunman. The site is listed online as the address of the Tom Crutchfield Reptile Farm, and CBSMiami says video shot from a helicopter shows the property is dotted with numerous cages and sheds.

The farm's Facebook page, which lists its address in Homestead, was updated Monday.

WSVN reports the incident was set off after an altercation between two men on the property. One man was lightly grazed by a bullet and is expected to recover. The other guy is now boarded up in a building on the property.

This is the real-life sequel to Snakes on a Plane we've been waiting for: Snakes on a Farm, But With Guns!

Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.

Sorry, try this one.

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2011/03/31/homestead-reptile-farm-site-of-srt-standoff/

Jason

Interesting...

I can imagine the headlines now...

Found more info

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2011/03/31/homestead-reptile-farm-site-of-srt-standoff/

HOMESTEAD (CBS4) — After nearly eight hours barricaded inside, a man was found dead inside a Homestead home.

Just before noon, a Special Response Team from the Miami-Dade Police Department surrounded a the home at 35000 SW 212th Avenue following reports of a person who has barricaded himself inside, possibly armed with a gun.

According to an online search, the home belongs to reptile dealer Tom Crutchfield.
Homestead SRT Standoff Ends, Man Found Dead Inside Home

Cages on a Homestead property where there's a police standoff. (CBS4)

Video from Chopper 4 showed numerous cages and sheds lined up side-by-side that match the description on Crutchfield’s website as being reptiles cages and reptile houses.

SRT members approached the home on an armored vehicle, and stayed stationed outside until just before 8 p.m. when officers moved in and discovered a dead body.

The deceased person has not been identified. Miami-Dade Police confirm to CBS4 they have now opened a homicide investigation.

There's a place there for comments. His wife? said Tom is OK. Didn't say one way or the other whether or not he'd been shot though.

Supposedly Tom was just grazed when Bruce Stephenson shot at him. Bruce is supposedly the dead man the police found (the one who barricaded himself inside).

Supposedly Tom was just grazed when Bruce Stephenson shot at him. Bruce is supposedly the dead man the police found (the one who barricaded himself inside).

Sorry if I don't recognise the name. Is he herp community material?

Correct me if I'm wrong but Bruce owns the property.

Sorry if I don't recognise the name. Is he herp community material?

Yes. the "Jedi Master" :rolleyes: Never really cared for him myself. He used to post a lot on Fauna.

Correct me if I'm wrong but Bruce owns the property.

Not sure who owned the property. Bruce and Tom were partners though.

Sorry if I don't recognise the name. Is he herp community material?

Bruce Stephenson was active on Fauna and was possibly partners with Tom but I am not certain of the officially relation. I have heard he worked there but I have no idea as to what capacity. The news has not confirmed the ID of the dead person that I have seen so everything is is just rumors unless someone is friends with Tom's daughter on facebook or something...

Jason

That's insane!...Hate to hear of that happening.Wonder what disagreement they had that was bad enough for someone to act this way?

The story is really strange. It started out with an altercation between two men. Was it Tom and the Deceased guy? How did Tom get grazed by a bullet? Things dont add up.

Im crossing my fingers that Tom had no involvement in this.

That's insane!...Hate to hear of that happening.Wonder what disagreement they had that was bad enough for someone to act this way?

Makes you wonder - being a shooting took place, I wonder how long it took to reach for guns or did they arrive at the argument already armed...:dunno:

Yeah I was thinking that too Sput...I'm sure we'll find out it was something ridiculous...

Right now it's all rumor and speculation. I'm sure we'll all find out what really happened in the next few days or so.

Has anyone heard about this?


A standoff with a man barricaded inside a South Miami-Dade home Thursday ended when officers went inside and found the person dead, according to Miami-Dade police.

Police first rushed to the home in the 35000 block of Southwest 212th Avenue in response to a 911 call of shots fired shortly before noon, police spokesman Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said.

When officers arrived, they found a man grazed by a bullet. He was treated by paramedics on the scene, and later taken to a local hospital as a precaution, Zabaleta said.

A second person barricaded himself inside the home. Police were later joined by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s venom unit because the home at one point had been used for snakes, including some that were venomous, Zabaleta said.

Miami-Dade property records show that the property is owned by Bruce W. Stephenson. Stephenson is listed as a business partner on the website for Tom Crutchfield’s Reptiles, based in South Miami-Dade.

About 7 p.m., police went inside the home and found the man dead, Zabaleta said.

Miami-Dade police homicide detectives are investigating. Police did not release the names of the men Thursday night.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/31/2143900/man-barricades-himself-in-south.html

Right now it's all rumor and speculation. I'm sure we'll all find out what really happened in the next few days or so.

Maybe.... you have to remember there is one persons side that will never be told.

Has anyone heard about this?


A standoff with a man barricaded inside a South Miami-Dade home Thursday ended when officers went inside and found the person dead, according to Miami-Dade police.

Police first rushed to the home in the 35000 block of Southwest 212th Avenue in response to a 911 call of shots fired shortly before noon, police spokesman Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said.

When officers arrived, they found a man grazed by a bullet. He was treated by paramedics on the scene, and later taken to a local hospital as a precaution, Zabaleta said.

A second person barricaded himself inside the home. Police were later joined by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s venom unit because the home at one point had been used for snakes, including some that were venomous, Zabaleta said.

Miami-Dade property records show that the property is owned by Bruce W. Stephenson. Stephenson is listed as a business partner on the website for Tom Crutchfield’s Reptiles, based in South Miami-Dade.

About 7 p.m., police went inside the home and found the man dead, Zabaleta said.

Miami-Dade police homicide detectives are investigating. Police did not release the names of the men Thursday night.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/31/2143900/man-barricades-himself-in-south.html

Merged with this thread

Merged with this thread

Is that why this is in Laws and Legs??? Seems an odd place to put it.:dunno:

Is that why this is in Laws and Legs??? Seems an odd place to put it.:dunno:

Not sure why it went there.... but it's in the News section now!

This is crazy.

Dan

Wow.....this is some rough stuff.

Very unfortunate...and,

Truly sad.

D

A very sad situation. I'm sure more details will follow.

We have a name on the body. Sadly it was Bruce Stephenson:(

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2011/04/snake_farm_shooting_tom_crutch.php
The story of the stand-off at a Homestead reptile farm has more twists and turns than a snake slithering through the jungle. Riptide has learned that Bruce Stephenson was found dead after a stand off with police while he had barricaded himself in a home on the premises. Tom Crutchfield, the namesake of the reptile farm and Stephenson's business partner, had been grazed by a bullet after Stephenson fired a gun at him sources say. Stephenson's cause of death has not been released.

The Miami-Dade Police Department's Special Response Team responded to the Tom Crutchfield Reptile Farm at 35000 SW 212th Avenue shortly before noon yesterday after an argument between Crutchfield and Stephenson escalated to gun fire.

According to sources Stephenson grazed Crutchfield with a bullet before barricading himself in a building on the property. Police were unable to talk Stephenson out of the building, and once they entered at around 7 p.m. last night they found Stephenson.

Crutchfield's girlfriend may also have been present during the shooting.

Stephenson's cause of death has not been released, though it may not necessarily be a suicide. The homicide unit is investigating the situation.

While the name of the farm featured Crutchfield's name, Stephenson, a former radiology supervisor, owned the farm and had the license to import reptiles.

=Chris;567461... stand off with police while he had barricaded himself in a home on the premises...after an argument between Crutchfield and Stephenson escalated to gun fire.

Something doesn't add up. Sounds like only one person did any shooting.

Something doesn't add up. Sounds like only one person did any shooting.



yep- thats what it sounds like now.

i thought they both had shot each other but now it sounds like bruce shot tom and then barricaded himself and (probably) killed himself.

if he really killed himself:

why did he do that?

what do u get in the us for such a crime- i mean he didnt hurt tom very much...


anyway- right now it all would be speculating. i just hope tom and his family are ok and have nothing to do with his death...

yep- thats what it sounds like now.

i thought they both had shot each other but now it sounds like bruce shot tom and then barricaded himself and (probably) killed himself.

if he really killed himself:

why did he do that?

what do u get in the us for such a crime- i mean he didnt hurt tom very much...


anyway- right now it all would be speculating. i just hope tom and his family are ok and have nothing to do with his death...

Even though Tom was only grazed by the bullet, Bruce would've probably been charged for attempted murder. His lawyer could plea temporary insanity in the heat of the moment and probably get the charges knocked down to next than nothing. But, if you just shot someone, you're probably not thinking very clearly. :dunno:

The article states police attempted to talk him out then found him dead. Nothing about hearing a shot before entering and nothing about them ever having a dialogue established. It seems people are assuming Bruce killed himself but it is just as likely, based on the limited information, that Bruce may have died from a gunshot wound that was not self-inflicted. Maybe one sustained before barricading himself? Not trying to create more conspiracy theories but it seems like until all the facts are made public, it is too early to assume anything. Just my opinion.

This is from Shawn Heflick

A very troubled Tom C. called me tonight to let me know about the terrible ordeal everyone experienced at their home last evening and to let his friends know that he is physically fine. He also wanted me to pass along that he is deeply saddened, distraught and on an emotional rollercoaster from the events that transpired. He needs time to heal and sort through the ordeal. There was no physical fight between him and Bruce, but a simple disagreement. Bruce's illness manifested itself in an act which caused him to lose his lucidity; he shot at Tom...grazing him and then he later took his own life. Tom wanted everyone to know that Bruce was not a monster or a bad human, but a good man with emotional issues. He was the perfect business partner for Tom...a dear friend...like a brother. Keep Tom and Patty in your thoughts…give them time to heal…and remember Bruce for who he truly was…a gentle herper who gave much to the reptile community and to his friends. Rest in Peace Bruce….you will be missed!

Good thoughts and prayers goin' out to Tom, Patty and all. RIP Bruce :(

sad stuff really. So sad for everyone involved.

wow....what would make a gentle herper go crazy like that and take his own life???, i wonder if someone was being looked into by "big brother"??? am not trying to start anything.... just with all the bad press over the years and feds looking into the hobby more and that dumb book...

That was the 1st thing that came to mind... man i hope im wrong!!!

Im glad to hear Tom is OK,

wow....what would make a gentle herper go crazy like that and take his own life???, i wonder if someone was being looked into by "big brother"??? am not trying to start anything.... just with all the bad press over the years and feds looking into the hobby more and that dumb book...

That was the 1st thing that came to mind... man i hope im wrong!!!

Im glad to hear Tom is OK,

With someone with mental issues to begin with, it's hard to say what might have gone wrong. Sometimes the dumest things might set them off, and many don't fare well under pressure.

wow....what would make a gentle herper go crazy like that and take his own life???, i wonder if someone was being looked into by "big brother"??? am not trying to start anything.... just with all the bad press over the years and feds looking into the hobby more and that dumb book...

That was the 1st thing that came to mind... man i hope im wrong!!!

Im glad to hear Tom is OK,


i wouldnt think off conspiracy theories right now. in the post above u can see that bruce had mental issues (according to tom). most of us probably didnt knew bruce personally so its hard to get what was up with him, but sometimes the truth is just like that. people with mental issues snap sometimes in a heartbeat...

no hidden multimedia government conspiracy behind it...

i wasnt thinking conspiracy...lol.

The entire thing is just sad...

i wasnt thinking conspiracy...lol.


oh sorry- then i got u wrong...

no harm meant...

I don't know Tom, but I have done business with Bruce. I know that Bruce was not mentally stable. I don't want to speculate or foster rumors, but am anxious to know the facts surrounding this tragic situation, and of course am concerned about all persons involved. I am also concerned about the potential media circus surrounding a "venomous reptile compound". Our community doesn't need this kind of spin on this.

Sad to hear, I wish Tom a speedy recovery!
R.I.P. Bruce!