Gun Store Burglary Suspect Facing Attempted Murder Charge

Smash-and-grab burglaries of gun stores have sadly become all too common over the past few years, with suspects typically driving a stolen car into the storefront of a gun shop to gain entry, then taking off with dozens of purloined pistols, shotguns, and rifles moments later. Typically, suspects who are caught and arrested end up facing charges of burglary, illegal gun possession, grand larceny, or other non-violent offenses, but an Indiana man is also facing a charge of attempted murder after allegedly engaging in a smash-and-grab at an Anderson, Indiana gun store earlier this month. 

An affidavit filed Thursday indicates 36-year-old George Bryant rammed a vehicle into Gun Slingers — which is located in the 1100 block of East 24th Street — around 11:24 p.m. on March 9. Police detained Bryant shortly after they arrived at the scene to investigate the crash. 

During a subsequent interview with police, Bryant called his decision to drive a car into the shop a suicide attempt. According to court documents, Bryant also told police he ran into the shop because he wanted to steal a gun and use it to kill somebody.

Police indicated that Bryant later said he was planning to kill two of his family members and himself. He said he wanted to kill his family members because they made fun of him for being gay.

Police asked Bryant if he would have gone through with the killings had officers not caught him at the gun store. He responded to the question by saying “Yes, I would’ve.”

I’m guessing the attempted murder charge was filed as a result of Bryant’s admission to police that he intended on using a stolen gun to kill two of his family members. At first glance that appeared to me to be a case of prosecutorial overreach; a charge levied that can later be used as a bait for a plea bargain. But after taking a close look at the Indiana statutes, Bryant didn’t need to pull the trigger or even sucessfully steal a gun to be charged with attempted murder so long as he admitted to his ultimate intentions. 

Under Indiana law, someone “attempts to commit a crime when, acting with the culpability required for commission of the crime, the person engages in conduct that constitutes a substantial step toward commission of the crime.” Obtaining the gun that Bryant planned on using in his murder-suicide would indeed be a “substantial step” towards committing that criminal act. It wouldn’t apply in this circumstance, but I do wonder if a legal gun purchase could result in attempted murder charges being filed against someone if they told police that they intended to use the firearm to kill someone else.  

Even without the attempted murder rap Bryant would be looking at a substantial prison sentence if he’s convicted. Prosecutors also filed charges of burglary, theft involving a firearm, auto theft, theft and unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. It’s sad that Bryant’s thoughts apparently went to murder instead of seeking help for dealing with the disdain of family members, but actions have consequences, and he’ll likely be paying for this mistake for years to come.