Arrest Made in Arcadia Shooting

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By WEEK Producer

Story Published: Nov 1, 2009 at 5:35 PM CDT

Story Updated: Nov 1, 2009 at 11:39 PM CDT

Police took a Peoria homeowner into custody in connection with a second shooting over the weekend.

Police arrested 37-year-old Rome Flynn for reckless discharge of a firearm.

Police reports indicate an intoxicated man was trying to enter Flynn's home around three Saturday morning.

The arrest comes because Flynn allegedly shot the man after he left the house on the 900-block of East Arcadia.

Authorities say the intoxicated man, 20-year-old Brent Mercer, was shot in the side of the chest.

Mercer's injuries were described as serious... but not life threatening.

Wednesday, Nov 4 at 11:31 AM Brent's Family wrote ...

Just an FYI - Brent is white, and it shouldn't even matter what color a person is. Thats pathetic if that is what you are focusing on. He does have a very loving father figure who is always there for him. Brent is a good guy and made a very bad decision, but he didn't mean harm to anybody. He is underage and was extremely intoxicated. I do feel for Mr. Flynn because he was trying to protect his family, but laws are laws and he should not have been in posession of a gun. Maybe call 911 first?

Wednesday, Nov 4 at 11:21 AM Jessica wrote ...

Phillip Anderson. You really need to research information before running your mouth. I'm sorry if you are racist, and have nothing else to talk about. Brent is white and he is a good person who just made a mistake. However, it shouldn't matter what color you are. This is a sad situation that is very unfortunate, and each person is paying the consequences in their own way.

Tuesday, Nov 3 at 10:43 PM loved one wrote ...

Phillip Anderson... you're an idiot... Brent is as White as a cracker. There were no black people involved in this incident so why would the NAACP be involved... obviously you have no idea what you're talking about!

Tuesday, Nov 3 at 9:49 PM ProudGunOwner wrote ...

I have the right to protect my property, period. The constitution spells that out. If Kevin Lyons prosecutes this homeowner, that would be a travesty of justice. Everyone is saying, fire at his feet, fire a warning shot. What if this thug had a weapon. Would he have shot at the homeowners feet? I doubt it. If someone is trying to break into my house, I will shoot first. If I need to protect myself from prosecution, I will drag the thug inside the door and shoot him again.

Tuesday, Nov 3 at 7:52 PM Philip Anderson wrote ...

Before we know it the NAACP will be marching and demanding justice! White people should be able to defend themselves, and this black plague in Peoria needs to be cleaned up. We need real solutions. Go to www.illinoisNSF.com and start building a brighter tomorrow.

Tuesday, Nov 3 at 4:58 PM anonymous wrote ...

Brent does NOT come from a bad family nor is he a thug. He drank alot of alcohol that night and made some bad choices. He wasnt trying to harm or rob this family. But Mr Flynn made bad choices that night as well. For one he shouldnt be in a house with a firearm because he is a felon and he shouldnt have shot first and asked questions later. Brent is paying for his actions now its time for Mr Flynn to pay for his.

Tuesday, Nov 3 at 4:46 PM whatever wrote ...

How many of you all drank before you were 21 i am sure all have. This is about what is right and wrong and shooting outside of your house isnt protecting it

Tuesday, Nov 3 at 4:43 PM whatever wrote ...

nobody knows the whole truth but from reading the articles looks like the shooter and his ex wife cant keep their stories staright.Shoot if they are in your house not outside thats not protecting your house

Tuesday, Nov 3 at 11:14 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Phil Luciano's article today has the story from Mr. Flynn's side on PJStar.

Monday, Nov 2 at 11:48 PM Responsibility? wrote ...

To no excuses....make up your mind. Is the "problem with this world" that "no one takes responsibility for their own actions" or is it the dad's fault? Can't have it both ways. You're a moron.

Monday, Nov 2 at 8:08 PM Anonymous wrote ...

good job on the home owners part i would have done the same thing.

Monday, Nov 2 at 7:59 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Not guilty

Monday, Nov 2 at 6:54 PM TilliamWe wrote ...

If I am on this guy's jury, he's "Not Guilty" all the way. The guy who got shot deserved it.

Monday, Nov 2 at 6:21 PM R wrote ...

P.S A WARNING SHOT WAS FIRED....................

Monday, Nov 2 at 6:20 PM R wrote ...

P.S A WARNING SHOT WAS FIRED

Monday, Nov 2 at 6:18 PM R wrote ...

NO ONE KNOWS THE FACTS WELL HERE IT IS HE WAS ON THE PROPERTY WHEN HE WAS SHOT AND HEADED RIGHT AT THE SHOOTER,AFTER BEING SHOT HE STILL MADE HIS WAY INTO THE HOUSE WHERE THE CHILDREN WERE AT HE COULD HAVE KILLED HIM THEN BUT DIDNT.SORRY THINGS TURNED OUT THAT WAY BUT GLAD HE IS GONNA BE OK

Monday, Nov 2 at 5:58 PM Loved one wrote ...

Brents father is a wonderful Man who loves his son very much. He is not or never has been in jail. My question would be .. where is the person that supplied the liquor to an underaged person? In the meantime we are praying for Mr Flynn & trying to help Brent get his bearrings. He is & will be paying for his misjudgement for a long time. But don't bash his Dad... he has the weight of the world on his shoulders right now.

Monday, Nov 2 at 5:51 PM Jon wrote ...

Good luck Flynn your going to need it ...Shoot him after he left ? Next time shoot right threw the door drop him right where he stands .....

Monday, Nov 2 at 5:45 PM peppy wrote ...

The police were called numerous times before this thing escalated. The first call from a young woman who was afraid to exit her car to enter her house because Mercer was urinating in her yard. Numerous other neighbors called because Mercer was banging on a garage. The police didn't bother showing up until the shooting, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they were busy. Kudos to Mr. Flynn for doing what needed to be done. Too bad the press/police treated him like a criminal.

Monday, Nov 2 at 5:13 PM concerned wrote ...

medical and theological fields. These include all levels of degrees. If you do not know what you are talking about it is best to remain quiet on the subject.

Monday, Nov 2 at 5:12 PM VigilanteJustice wrote ...

I feel sorry for anybody that tries to break into my house. You had better be prepared for some extra iron in your diet, because you are going to get a few rounds pumped into you. All you bleeding heart liberals that feel sorry for this thug need to get a life. He is a career thug. Don't care how religious or educated his family is, he is a thug. And he would be a thug full of buckshot if he tried entering my house at 3:00AM...

Monday, Nov 2 at 5:05 PM concerned wrote ...

medical field and in theoloy7. These include, BA, BS, THD and others. Sj if you don't know what you are talking about it is best to keep your mouth shut.

Monday, Nov 2 at 5:02 PM concerned wrote ...

I appreciate all those who showed genuince concern for both parties involved. Many of your comments are out of ignorance and full of hot air. As for the man arrested, I do not know him but I do feel sorry he was caught up in this situation and wish him the best. As for the hateful remarks concerning Brent coming for a lowlife family. Is is easy to see you do not know what you are talking about. Brent comes from a very religious family that is saturated with many college degrees both in the

Monday, Nov 2 at 4:50 PM aggravated wrote ...

i know brent personally and he wasnt trying to break in. hearing this made me soo upset ause if i was in Mr.Flynns place i for one would not have made a direct shot at him, i would have called the cops first. and even if i wanted to use the gun i would have shot it inthe air or at his feet to scare him off.

Monday, Nov 2 at 3:15 PM Beaucheckers wrote ...

There's is something wrong with our justice system when this man is defendin his home and gets arrested. I realize the perpatrator was leaving the scene but how else is someone suppose to react when someone is breaking into your home at 3 AM???

Monday, Nov 2 at 2:23 PM Could not keep quiet... wrote ...

..and I am sure he will be arrested. Right now though he is in ICU. He got the worst of this, and he should not have been there. But remember he is someone's son and grandson and nephew and brother.

Monday, Nov 2 at 2:21 PM Could not keep quiet. wrote ...

To "No excuses" - I know that family and I know that his father is NOT in jail and has been very involved in his life since birth. Sometimes people make very bad choices and decisions on their own. He has a very loving family that are devastated and heartbroken by the road HE chose to take HIMSELF. When did personal responsibilty stop being personal responsibility? Brent is an adult and made this very bad move on his own. Know what you are talking about before you start throwing stones.

Monday, Nov 2 at 1:59 PM No Excuses wrote ...

Another example of some fine parenting.....NOT! This boy needs to take responsibility for his actions! That's the problem with this world...nobody takes responsibility for their actions. Mercer should be the one in jail!!! That's probably where his dad is. Poor kid probably had no father figure.

Monday, Nov 2 at 12:27 PM Yea! wrote ...

Bravo Mr Flynn for defending your home. There is nothing reckless about defending your home. He had no idea what that guy wanted at 3:00am. He should have shot when the guy was trying to get in - perhaps not the best judgement to plug the guy when he was leaving the scene.

Monday, Nov 2 at 11:56 AM anonymous wrote ...

This is what happens when you don't drink responsibly. He isnt 21 and shouldn't have been drinking at all. I happen to know Brent and he had no intentions of causing anyone harm. No matter what any of you may think, he really isnt a bad guy. He just made a bad choice that night. If you're gonna own a gun, I guess you should know the laws regarding self defense.

Monday, Nov 2 at 11:48 AM Me wrote ...

Ok what the hell do you expect? Break into someones house and get shot then arrest the shooter? That is crazy!!! I nwould shoot too if someone broke in my house!!!

Monday, Nov 2 at 10:52 AM Mr. samie j 2 wrote ...

OmG! I can't believe it! Well, maybe he was just either in the wrong place or with the wrong people[or both] at the wrong time. Who's know, he maybe innocent. "Rome, i'll pray for you".. but, then again, if he did do something wrong, then I'm Very Disappeared [in him]. But I still wish him the best of luck.

Monday, Nov 2 at 9:32 AM Robin S wrote ...

Yes there are white, black, asians and hispanics living on the East bluff that are very responsible home howners. there are still some great people that live EastBluff

Sunday, Nov 1 at 11:07 PM if it were me wrote ...

i shoot 1st then ask questions. the guy was trying to get into my house @ 3am in a BAD crime ridden area. sorry your getting shot if thats my house.

Sunday, Nov 1 at 9:24 PM bobthe2nd wrote ...

This shooting would of been ok had he shot the guy while he was attempting to get into the house. From the sounds of it, the dude was running away or attempting to flee when he was shot. That's ok to do in TX but not here in IL. The crime has to at least be in progress and not when the perp is trying to flee without doing any actual harm to a person.

Sunday, Nov 1 at 6:08 PM Total BS wrote ...

I don't care where you live and what color your skin is; if I awake to find someone coming in my house, I'm going to do exactly what Mr. Flynn did with one exception... I won't miss. If you live in the "hood" you should be able to protect yourself and your family.

Sunday, Nov 1 at 6:02 PM Bob Slidel wrote ...

OMG, there are white home owners on Peoria's East Bluff?

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