This sad case wouldn’t be making the national news if the deceased was not related to Governor Rick Perry. When the whole story emerges, will it turn out to be a mix of weapons and dementia? See our previous post, ‘Guns and the Elderly’.

An attorney for Larry Don Wheeler’s estate says the 74-year-old North Texas man was sitting on his backyard deck after dinner Saturday night at his home near the Nocona Hills Country Club.

The police dispatcher’s call sheet reports deputies were called to Wheeler’s home by a tenant who was moving out of the apartment next door. The caller reported Wheeler was randomly shooting his rifle behind his home, and she felt threatened.

It’s unclear what happened when the two deputies arrived at the house, but soon after Wheeler was shot and killed. One of the deputies was also struck by a shotgun pellet. At this time, it isn’t known who opened fire first

It’s likely too, that the police were not sufficiently trained in de-escalation.