Off-Duty Survival

Off-Duty Survival Article

April 13, 2008

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Retired Pa. officer foils burglary


By Dennis B. Roddy
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PITTSBURGH — A retired Pittsburgh police officer interrupted a trio of burglars in his daughter's home yesterday, shot one to death and wounded a second as he waited for police to arrive.

Neighbors and a source close to the ongoing investigation said Darrell Benton, a former city patrolman, surprised the young men as they ransacked his daughter's home in the 6400 block of Apple Street in Lincoln-Lemington.

One of the burglars, Dustin Tolliver, 18, who resided in the neighborhood, was pronounced dead at the scene. A second burglar was wounded and listed in critical condition at UPMC Presbyterian last night.

A police spokeswoman gave this account:

Police dispatchers received a call at 12:51 p.m. from a man who said he had walked in on a trio of burglars at the home of his daughter.

"He indicated that he shot one, that he was holding another and that one fled," said Diane Richard, a police information officer.

Between the time of the phone call and police arrival, the second suspect, who had been held at gunpoint, also was shot and wounded. Police were attempting to sort out what took place between the time of the telephone call and the second shooting.

"We don't know what happened during the transition of us getting here and taking them into custody ... I guess he was in fear of his own life and he shot him," Ms. Richard said.

She said one burglar was pronounced dead at the scene of a gunshot wound to the chest. She said police were trying to determine whether any of the burglars was carrying a weapon at the time of the incident.

As police went door-to-door looking for witnesses and others scoured the neighborhood in search of the escaped burglar, a dramatic confrontation took shape outside the home when a young man, saying he was a brother of the dead burglar, arrived and demanded to see the body.

"I just want to see my brother," he shouted at police and news crews before friends hustled him from the scene.

Neighbors said Mr. Benton, the suspected shooter, had been called to the scene by someone who noticed the young men forcing open the back door to the home. While the home is listed in Mr. Benton's name, his daughter and grandchildren occupy the residence, according to friends.

"This is a quiet place. People work," said one resident, who gave her name only as Helen.

Others also declined to be interviewed by name.

Mr. Tolliver's mother arrived at the scene shortly before police removed the body from the residence. Police said he had been shot in an upstairs bedroom.

The second suspect was found downstairs.

Ms. Richard said Mr. Benton turned over his weapon as well as his permit to carry a handgun. He was taken to police headquarters for questioning, she said.

A spokesman for Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala last night said a pair of investigators will review the circumstances surrounding the shootings.

"There are two detectives involved, although it's not a police-involved shooting in the true sense of the word. Because there is a retired police officer involved, District Attorney Zappala is giving this the same consideration," said spokesman Mike Manko.

Copyright 2008 The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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