Back from Afghanistan, Marine shoots would-be carjacker

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Thursday, December 19, 2002 3:25PM EST

The Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala.(AP) - A Marine sergeant based in North Carolina who served in Afghanistan earlier this year shot and killed a would-be carjacker.

Sgt. James C. Lowery, 22, returned fire after being shot in the face in the drive-thru lane of a fast-food restaurant. He was listed in fair condition Thursday at a Montgomery hospital. His father, James Eugene Lowery, said the bullet hit his son in the top left cheek and stopped near his voice box. "He comes back from Afghanistan safe and whole. Then he comes home on leave to have rest and peace and this happens," the father said.

Police said Lowery got out of his Chevrolet Suburban when approached by a gunman in the drive-thru lane of a McDonald's restaurant Tuesday night. The gunman shot Lowery, who was then able to get his .45-caliber pistol from the car and shoot his assailant multiple times. Dead at the scene was Thaddeus Antone, 19, of Montgomery.

The fatal shooting is viewed as self-defense and no charges were filed, police spokesman Lt. Huey Thornton said. It will be reviewed by a grand jury following routine procedure.

Lowery, who was on leave until Sunday, serves with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, based at the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, N.C.

Lowery's father said the unit flies tankers than can refuel aircraft in flight. Lowery, who got married in January, went to Afghanistan a week later and served there for about two months.

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2002


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