10/21/09
Hawkins, Texas
From KLTV of October 19, 2009
Homeowner's one shot lands would-be burglar in ER
It took one shot for an East Texas senior to put an end to a would-be robber's crime spree. The story began around 2am Monday morning at Southside Bank in Hawkins. The branch is located inside Brookshire's, right off Highway 14. That is where police say 19-year-old David McWhorter was spotted, first. We spoke to the homeowner whose one shot landed the alleged burglar in the ER.
"Just...put the gun up to the window, and he was standing there and I pulled the trigger," said the 78-year-old homeowner.
One shot through the window was all it took. Our homeowner didn't mind an on camera interview, but asked his name not be released. He suffers from a hip injury and was sitting in his chair when the suspect broke into his screened porch. He says it is not the first time he has been broken into. Every window is now nailed shut and a baggie full of ammo for his 4-10 single-shot shotgun is always nearby.
"Everything I worked hard for all my life...no one's just going to come in here and take it if I can help it," said the homeowner.
"If you can't retreat, you have every right in the world to protect yourself," said Hawkins Police Lieutenant A.J. Randell.
Randell says while police worked the call at Brookshire's, another call came in about the break-in about a block away. Police say the suspect was found across the street, inside his brother's car with a gun shot wound to the left shoulder.
"He came in, woke him up and said, 'I'd been shot! Take me to the hospital,'" said Randell.
"I'm sorry that it happened, but he shouldn't be trying to break in and trying to steal other people's property," said the 78-year-old. "Protect what's mine, you know?"
And, after 23 years of retired life, our homeowner doesn't plan on moving anytime soon.
Labels: senior, trespassing, TX
10/16/09
Houston, Texas
From ABC13 of October 16, 2009
Homeowner shoots would-be burglar
A homeowner went for his gun when he heard noises in his backyard in the very early morning hours. In the end, a suspected thief was wounded and running for his life.
It happened on James and Cochran around 2:15am. The homeowner says he fired on the suspect to protect his property.
"We get robbed here all the time, we're used to it living in this neighborhood," said a frustrated homeowner who didn't want to be identified.
Frustrated that he and his neighbors were being repeatedly burglarized, one homeowner made a last minute decision to install a video camera late last night.
"Just wrap it up and so we can catch the guy," said the homeowner.
"You didn't have time to bolt it down, we asked.
"No chance to screw it on or nothing," he said.
Less than three hours later, the camera captured images of a man, allegedly trying to steal something from the front yard. From a neighboring surveillance camera, in the video you can see the burglar running away, just moments after the homeowner opened fire.
"I shot him, but I shot him on his foot. I didn't want to shoot him in the chest or head or anything, he was five feet away from me, I could have shot him between the eyes but I didn't want to kill him," said the homeowner.
The homeowner has owned his revolver for 40 years. He's never had to fire it, not even once, until early this morning.
One single shot through his bedroom window and the suspect was still able to run away but he didn't' get far. Police found and arrested him just a few blocks down the road. Residents in the neighborhood are now breathing a sigh of relief.
"That's good. I'm glad somebody took care of him," said another homeowner.
The video that was captured from the newly installed surveillance camera are now in the hands of the police. It apparently shows the face of the alleged burglar up close. Investigators have not released the suspect's identity.
Labels: trespassing, TX
10/2/09
Corpus Chrisi, Texas
From KIII of September 30, 2009
Man Shoots Burglar
A Corpus Christi man, who says he's been burglarized the last two nights, took the law into his own hands Wednesday morning when a suspected burglar came back for a the third night in a row.
It was around 2:30am when the Garza family heard what they thought was a burglar in their garage.
Henry Garza says, "I was waiting for him, last night about 2 o'clock in the morning he came in, busted my door, in the garage, and got in it again. He run that away and that's when I shot him."
66 year old Henry Garza, who lives near Port and Baldwin wasn't taking any chances. Sunday and Monday night, Garza says burglars got away with his tools, a couple of bicycles, a stereo, and other small items.
So, Tuesday night, Garza and his wife, Mary, were ready. Around 2:30 in the morning they heard noises coming from their garage and Mr. Garza grabbed his single barrel 410 caliber shotgun. Mrs. Garza armed herself with a two by four.
Garza says, "I hit him one time with the gun, like this, and he ran away. My wife was standing there, he him my wife, she had a 2x4, she hit him with a 2x4. That's what made me mad, he pushed my wife around, and that's when I shot him."
Garza thinks he shot the intruder in the back of the leg, but the suspect was able to get away.
Garza says, "I know I hit him, cause he fell."
Mrs. Garza, who was knocked down is going to be ok and as for Mr. Garza says, "I'll be waiting for him here. If he comes tonight, if he's not wounded."
Labels: trespassing, TX
9/27/09
Charlotte, North Carolina
From the Charlotte Observer of September 25, 2009
Homeowner opens fire at break-in suspect
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say a man in the University area spotted someone in his garage early Friday morning and opened fire at the suspect.
According to The Observer's news partner WCNC, the homeowner on Glen Luce Avenue heard a noise around 3:30 a.m.
When the man found the suspect in the garage, police said he shot at the intruder. Investigators found blood outside, but have not located the suspect.
Labels: NC, trespassing
9/24/09
Lexington, Kentucky
From WTVQ of September 24, 2009
Would-Be Burglar Stopped By Homeowner
A Lexington man is behind bars after police say he tried to break into the wrong home overnight.
A man says he was taking a shower early this morning at his home on West Fourth Street, when he heard something just outside his house.
He told police he went around to check it out, and saw a man trying to break in through a window. That's when the homeowner grabbed a gun and held the would-be burglar at gunpoint, while he called 9-1-1.
Police later caught up with and arrested Donovan Campbell. He's now in jail, charged with burglary.
That homeowner runs a business out of his home, and he says he was tired of being broken into, so he decided to put a stop to it.
Labels: KY, trespassing
9/21/09
Lemmon Valley, Nevada
From KOLO of September 20, 2009
Attempted Burglary Ends with Shot Fired at Homeowner
Police are investigating after a Lemmon Valley homeowner was shot at by a Sheriff's Deputy while trying to defend his property from a suspected burglar Saturday night.
Rocky Triplett with the Sparks Police Department says just before midnight Saturday, a drunk man, 35-year-old Christopher Pool, entered his neighbor's yard at 430 Paramount Ct. in Lemmon Valley. Pool was allegedly trying to either steal a car or burglarize the home. Pool didn’t know that the homeowners were home at the time.
Police say they received a call to respond to the home after it was reported that a suspicious man had climbed a fence, and was trying to steal a car.
The intruder was drunk and uncooperative when police entered the yard and began questioning him.
According to Police, the homeowners, Vince and Veronica Henderson, were aware of an intruder on their property after seeing him in their yard. Mrs. Henderson quickly turned on lights around the garage. Mr. Henderson grabbed his gun and went after Pool.
Deputies say they saw Mr. Henderson coming around the corner of the garage with a gun and a flashlight in his hands. One of the Deputies shouted at Henderson to drop his gun, but then fearing for his safety, fired a shot towards Henderson. Henderson was not hit.
After realizing that police had arrived, Mr. Henderson put his gun down. He and his wife were briefly detained and questioned. Police then arrested Pool.
No one was injured in the incident.
The Reno Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff's Office and Sparks Police Department are all investigating the incident. The names of the deputies are not being released at this time
Labels: NV, trespassing
9/4/09
Chiloquin, Oregon
From KTVZ of September 4, 2009
Chiloquin man shoots intruder
Authorities say a Chiloquin man shot and wounded a neighbor who tried to enter his house.
Sheriff Tim Evinger of Klamath County says 24-year-old Calvin Lee Brown used a pair of 18-inch wooden handles to break Monte Rompal's bedroom window, prompting the 77-year-old man to fire a shot.
Evinger says deputies later found Brown at a nearby house - asleep and drunk with a bullet wound to his left upper arm.
Chiloquin Ambulance took Brown to Sky Lakes Medical Center, where he was in stable condition Thursday.
Evinger says Brown will likely be charged with attempted burglary and criminal mischief.
District Attorney Ed Caleb says it's unlikely Rompal will face charges.
Labels: intoxication, OR, senior, trespassing
9/3/09
Hyrum, Utah
From the Salt Lake Tribune of August 22, 2009
Homeowner shoots suspected prowler in foot
A Hyrum man shot a suspected would-be burglar near his home early Saturday morning.
The 42-year-old homeowner shot a 20-year-old man once in the foot about 2:30 a.m., said Cache County sheriff's Lt. Chad Jensen.
Deputies responding to a prowler call found the 42-year-old standing in a back doorway, holding the 20-year-old at gunpoint next to a tree on the 500 block of Eagle Ridge Drive. The man said he'd fired one shot, but neighbors reported hearing several.
The suspected prowler, who "appeared to be very intoxicated," was taken to Logan Regional Hospital, treated for his injury and released to deputies.
The incident is under investigation.
Labels: intoxication, trespassing, UT
9/2/09
Gardnerville, Nevada
From the Record Courier of August 26, 2009
Armed homeowner fends off possible home invasion
A Gardnerville woman fended off someone who was trying to break into her house early Thursday morning.
According to the Sheriff's Office, the Pin Oak Drive resident was awakened by her dog, who was barking insistently inside her home at 3:20 a.m. The woman said she looked out of the windows, and when she didn't see anything, she armed herself and let the dog out into the backyard.
She said a man approached her quickly in her backyard, but then she pointed her handgun at him and shoved him backward before retreating into her home. She locked the door and called 911. When she returned to the back door, the man began knocking on her rear window.
She yelled that she'd called the Sheriff's Office, and the man ran to the far side of the yard and jumped over the fence.
The man was described as being 6 feet, 2 inches tall, thin with blonde hair. She estimated he was in his late teens or early 20s, wearing black earrings, a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark shorts with yellow writing down the side.
When deputies arrived on the scene, they searched the neighborhood, but did not find the man.
They did find a window screen had been removed from the home's rear window and a fingerprint on the glass.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer, Sgt Jim Halsey, at 782-9931.
Halsey said it's important that residents checking suspicious activity be careful.
“This incident brings to light the importance of safety and vigilance by residents when checking suspicious activity or noises around a residence at any time of the day or night,” he said. “If you have any reservations or misgivings, call 911 and request the sheriff's office respond.”
Labels: female, NV, trespassing
Jackson, Mississippi
From WAPT of August 30, 2009
Police Identify Killed Suspected Burglar
Jackson police say a local grocery store owner shot and killed Lorenzo Rodriguez Jones, 33. He was a Jackson resident.
The shooting happened in the 1400 block of Highway 80 at the Gipson Warehouse.
Police believe Jones was trying to break into the warehouse when the owner shot him in the chest, killing him.
The Gipson Warehouse owner isn't facing any charges because of the Castle Doctrine, JPD Chief Tyrone Lewis said.
The Castle Doctrine allows property owners to protect his/her land and themselves.
Labels: intruder, MS, trespassing
8/13/09
Whiteland, Indiana
From WISH of August 13, 2009
Armed homeowner stops enraged man
A Columbus resident is accused of trying to break into a rural Whiteland home.
Patrick F. Ianni, 33, 4440 Post-horn Court, Columbus, was arrested on charges of residential entry and public intoxication.
At about 1:40 a.m. Thursday, Ianni kicked the door of a rural Whiteland home and broke the door jam but walked away after the owner threatened to shoot him if he entered the home, according to a police report.
"The only smart decision he made was not to enter that home," Johnson County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Doug Cox said. "He's alive today because he didn't enter that house."
Ianni had visited a comedy club in Indianapolis with his girlfriend earlier that night and they got into a fight, according to a police report. He demanded to be let out of the vehicle and she let him out near the Whiteland Road interchange of Interstate 65.
He woke two rural Whiteland residents by pounding on their door. He claimed he was a police officer who wanted to ask them a question.
The homeowner warned Ianni that he had a gun and would shoot him if he entered the house and Ianni responded that he had a knife and would stab the homeowner.
A sheriff's deputy found Ianni staggering down the road with a bloody nose and he asked the officer if he could give him a ride.
Ianni yelled at officers, threat-ened to beat them up and told them he was a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent who just wanted to ask the homeowners a question, according to the police report. The sheriff's office checked with the FBI, who confirmed that Ianni isn't an agent.
He's being held at the Johnson County jail on $4,000 bond.
Labels: assault, IN, trespassing
7/12/09
Palm Desert, California
From the Desert Sun of July 11, 2009
A Palm Desert man stops attempted burglary
Palm Desert homeowner helped stop an attempted burglary of his home early Saturday morning.
At 3:40 a.m., the homeowner awoke to sounds of a window breaking toward the front of his home in the 43-600 block of Louisiana Street, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department officials.
The man saw two people standing in front of his home. He then armed himself with a pistol and chased the suspects as they fled north toward a golf course.
The man fired one shot, which caused the suspects to surrender until Palm Desert police officers arrived.
Steven Flores, 18, of Palm Desert, and a 16-year-old male teenager from Rancho Mirage were arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary. Flores is in the county jail in Indio and the male teenager is at a juvenile detention facility in Indio.
The name of the juvenile is not being released because of his age, officers said.
Labels: CA, minor offender, trespassing
7/9/09
Atlanta, Georgia
From WSBTV of July 9, 2009
Homeowner Exchanges Gunfire With Would-Be Robber
A quiet night in front of the television ended with a shoot-out in southwest Atlanta. A homeowner was in the hospital Thursday morning as police searched for the would-be robber.
Officials said a homeowner will recover after suffering a gunshot wound to the ear during a gun battle when someone tried to break into his home.
A shoot-out on Westmont Road between a homeowner and a would-be robber woke up several people in the neighborhood.
"I guess I would say about 15 to 20 rounds was exchanged," said neighbor Otis Holliman.
The homeowner told Channel 2 Action News her husband was in the living room watching television when he heard a noise outside the house. He grabbed his gun to check it out and that's when the gun battle erupted.
The husband was shot once in the right ear and was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital.
Crime scene investigators found several bullet casings and a gun.
"The guy dropped the gun that was shooting at her husband," said Holliman.
The suspect got away.
Holliman said criminals have been targeting his neighbors since they moved in.
"I think the house has been broken into three or four different times here recently," said Holliman.
Doctors said the victim is in stable condition. The victim's wife said once her husband gets out of the hospital, they plan to move.
Labels: GA, trespassing
7/7/09
Clark County, Kentucky
From WKYT of July 26, 2009
Lexington doctor killed in shooting
Police are investigating a deadly shooting over the weekend, involving a well known doctor in Lexington.
27NEWSFIRST has learned Rodney Mann was shot and killed Sunday outside a home on Four Mile Road in Clark County. We're learning more information into what may have brought Dr. Mann to that home in Clark County.
The doctor, himself, recently contacted 27NEWSFIRST about an issue that sources now say may have led to the shooting.
About a month ago, Dr. Mann contacted NEWSFIRST about an incident he had in the parking lot of Sam's Club in which he says a man keyed his car after an altercation. The damage was said to have cost Dr. Mann $1,100 worth of damage to his Acura.
Police say Dr. Mann then went to the man's home in Clark County and began to slash the tires to his car. The homeowner caught Mann slashing the tires on his truck and came out to confront him.
Police say Mann had two guns and a knife on him and say during the fight the owner was able to get one gun away from him and shoot him.
At Mann's doctor office, Thoroughbred Allergy and Asthma off Richmond Road, a note says all appointments on Monday have been canceled.
The doctor has been featured in a number of stories here on 27NEWSFIRST and was just a guest on our afternoon show three weeks ago.
Police have not charged the man who pulled the trigger. They're investigating if the shooting was in self defense.
Mann grew up in Corbin and graduated from UK and the University of Louisville Medical School.
Dr. Mann served patients at both of his offices in Lexington and in Corbin.
Labels: altercation, criminal's gun taken away and used against him, KY, trespassing, vandalism
6/18/09
Harris County, Texas
From the Houston Chronicle of June 18, 2009
Harris man fatally shoots teen at home
A homeowner who had twice ordered a teenager to leave the property — once while holding a rifle — shot the teen dead after the boy refused to leave and walked toward him, authorities said.
“He feared for his life,” said Harris County sheriff’s Lt. Rolf Nelson.
Dwayne Austgen, 69, was inside his north Harris County home in the 5500 block of Susanna around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday when he noticed a teenager in his front yard, officials said. The man went outside, confronted 17-year-old Vidal Herrera, and told him to leave, authorities said.
After the teen left the property, Austgen noticed Herrera had left a crack cocaine pipe, officials said. Austgen then went back inside his home, taking the pipe with him, officials said.
A short while later, Herrera returned to the home, confronted Austgen about the pipe, and the pair argued, officials said. Austgen, this time holding a rifle, again ordered the teen to leave, officials said.
Herrera began to walk away but then approached the homeowner, who fired the .22-caliber rifle, striking the teen in the abdomen, officials said. Herrera was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he died.
The case will be referred to a Harris County grand jury without charges.
Austgen could not be reached for comment.
(More)
Labels: minor offender, trespassing, TX
6/11/09
Richmond, Indiana
From the Palladium Item of May 30, 2009
Gunshot scares off intruder
A Richmond woman thwarted a break-in early Friday by firing a warning shot from a gun.
"She confronted him at the door," Richmond Police Chief Kris Wolski said Friday. "She fired one shot to scare the person off."
Wolski doesn't think the incident is linked to a series of home invasions and sexual assaults of women that have plagued Richmond for about two years.
The 41-year-old female resident in the 200 block of North 21st Street heard a noise and rushed to get the semiautomatic gun, he said. Wolski said her possession and use of the gun was lawful.
Police were called to the scene at 1 a.m. The suspect was wearing a baseball cap under a hoodie, but that's about all the victim could see, Wolski said.
"Hopefully the neighbors saw something," he said. "We're doing more scene processing and getting statements."
At least eight attacks have been attributed to a man who stands about 5 feet 5 inches and strikes in the early morning hours while wearing a mask and dark hoodie.
Four more attacks are possibly linked. His female victims have ranged from a teen-ager to an 81-year-old woman.
Wolski acknowledged that the attacks are on the minds of residents, including Friday's victim.
"She was aware of the other incidents," he said. "Everyone is at a heightened level of awareness."
The police department is getting numerous calls each day with tips about potential suspects in the attacks.
"I think we are making headway," Wolski said.
Labels: female, IN, trespassing
6/10/09
Oakmont, Pennsylvania
From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review of May 27, 2009
Oakmont police nab shirtless, tipsy home intruder
Oakmont police said they arrested an intoxicated man early Sunday as he attempted to enter a house in which the owner had armed himself.
The man, Brian Adam Witkovitz of Elicker Road, Plum, gave no statements and indicated no motive as to why he tried to enter two houses in the 600 block of Ninth Street about 3 a.m., according to the police report.
Police said officers responded about 30 seconds after the owner of a house called the Allegheny County emergency dispatcher to report a burglary in progress. Officer Joseph Cattani observed Witkovitz, who was shirtless, open the storm door to the attached garage, according to police.
Despite instructions to the contrary from the dispatcher, the homeowner had armed himself in anticipation of meeting the intruder.
Cattani, backed up by another officer, entered the garage and subdued Witkovitz without incident before the suspect entered the house.
Witkovitz has been charged with burglary, criminal attempt, public drunkenness, loitering and prowling at night, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass and simple trespass. He is free on a non-monetary bond.
Oakmont Police Chief Dave DiSanti praised his officers for their quick response.
"They managed to keep the burglar from bumping into the armed homeowner," he said. "You can see how bad it would have been, had there been a confrontation. It took a lot of fortitude for Cattani to enter the garage."
Labels: intoxication, PA, trespassing
5/14/09
Lubbock, Texas
From KCBD of May 13, 2009
Local man reacts to an almost home invasion
A local man wants your help finding two men who tried to break into his house, and he caught the almost home invasion on his web cam.
Many people would be frightened if they were at home and someone tried to break in, but Andy Hartman says he stayed calm because he had a weapon, and he knew the rules on when and how to use it. "I heard somebody knock on the door, and rang the doorbell. I thought it was just a salesman so I kind of ignored it," Hartman said.
Every day when he gets home from work Hartman puts his wallet, keys, phone and gun on the kitchen counter. He carries his gun with him where ever he goes, and last Wednesday, he almost had to use it in the comfort of his own home.
Hartman's home web cam taped someone kicking his back door repeatedly. In the video, you can see the shutters shake each time the person kicks. Hartman grabbed his phone, his gun and called 911. "I'm in my bedroom with a gun. They're breaking in my house," he said in the 911 call.
While waiting for police, Hartman stayed in a back room and listened as the intruder kicked his door more than 20 times. "The officers will want you to put the gun up once they're there, but it's okay obviously for you to have it while they're still breaking in," the 911 operator told him.
Hartman says he was able to stay calm because he knew exactly what to do. He took a concealed handgun class in January. "You know when you can and cannot use the gun, and when it's time to use it you know how to use it," he said.
The woman who led the class Andy took, Gay Lynn Stone, says, "The rules of deadly force for the state of Texas, it just simply says if your life is threatened or the life of another person is threatened then y ou have the right to protect you or that person."
Stone says because Texas' handgun laws are written loosely, he probably could legally shoot the intruder even before they entered the house, but she thinks Hartman made the right decision in waiting for the police. "He did exactly what he was supposed to do, and he treated it as if the use of deadly force would be the last resort," she said.
Police arrived in less than three minutes, but the suspects got away. Probably better for him than if he had made his way into the house. When asked if he would have shot the intruder Hartman said, "Absolutely. No question in my mind."
The police still have not caught the suspects, but Hartman believes two Hispanic males in their early 20s driving a gray Dodge Neon were involved.
Labels: concealed carry permit, trespassing, TX
4/28/09
Polk County, Florida
From the Central Florida News of April 28, 2009
Robbery Suspect Dies After Being Shot By Property Owner
A Polk County man shot at two robbery suspects Tuesday morning when he thought they were going to run him down.
One of the suspects was hit in the head and died, and the other is still at large.
The incident happened near a citrus grove on Rifle Range Road in the Wahneta area of Winter Haven.
Property owner Jamie Jones heard a commotion outside while working inside his shed just before dawn.
Jones told detectives a man and woman were driving away in his Land Rover. He said after they saw him, they tried to run him over.
Fearing for his life, Jones pulled the trigger.
One of the bullets hit 21-year-old Nikki McCormick in the head. While she lay bleeding in the passenger seat, the male suspect fled on foot.
McCormick was rushed to the hospital where she later died.
Detectives aren't sure if the male suspect was hit. The property owner last saw him limping down a nearby street.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office searched for him by air and ground for hours but did not locate him. The sheriff's office hasn't been able to identify him.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says Jones likely won't face charges, and he offers a warning to other would-be robbers.
"The word to the criminal is first -- quit being a criminal, quit stealing," Judd said. "But if you're breaking into someone's house, the homeowner is very likely to shoot you."
Labels: assault, FL, trespassing
3/20/09
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
From Fox23 of March 17, 2009
BA Shooting Likely Self-Defense
a double shooting in Broken Arrow. One man, just identified by police as 40-year-old Rodger Dale McKnight, Jr. is dead. Broken Arrow Police say the other man, Randy Bryant, is considered the victim in this case. This all happened this morning around 7:30 in Broken Arrow at the Johanna Woods mobile home community. That’s where we find FOX 23’s Kaci Christian with the very latest.
“Broken Arrow Police tell me no charges are expected to be filed against Randy Bryant, the owner of this home behind me,” reports FOX 23’s Kaci Christian. “In critical condition at St. Francis, Bryant was shot in the chest with the same .32 handgun that killed McKnight. Police say, at this point, it’s being considered a case of self-defense.”
“We’re brand new to the neighborhood,” explains John McCuistian. “We’re just moving in, and we’re from Claremore, and just recently bought the house—yesterday.”
McCuistian was at the title company today, handling last-minute paperwork on his purchase of a mobile home on Kansas Street in Johanna Woods in Broken Arrow. He, his wife, Kandice and their son, Zane, impulsively decided to drive by their new place. That’s where they learned that the homeowner just three doors down had been shot after a struggle with a man believed to have been trespassing and trying to break into a vehicle on the property.
“It’s kind of scary,” McCuistian shares, “pulling up and realizing what happened today.”
Residents tell me Johanna Woods mobile home community is a quiet property with 235 homes. Only five lots are vacant, the property manager says. According to several people living in the neighborhood, management does background checks and keeps a close eye on residents, yet this morning, the unthinkable happened: a neighbor struggles with a possible intruder. A call comes in to 9-1-1, alerting law enforcement that a fight was happening in front of one of the mobile homes.
Units arrive within minutes, but by then, there’s one gun, and two victims.
The homeowner has been shot in the chest, and is in critical condition at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, and the other man is dead.
(More)
Labels: OK, trespassing
Naples, Florida
From the Naples News of March 20, 2009
Burglar shot and killed in North Naples, authorities say
Collier County deputies are investigating an apparent burglary in progress that turned deadly this morning in North Naples.
Witnesses say a resident of 91 Willoughby Drive confronted a suspect who was on his property shortly after 4 a.m. and shot him. The suspect died, according to reports.
The burglar did not enter the home. The homeowner caught him exiting the family camper which was parked in the driveway, according to a Collier County Sheriff’s spokeswoman. The burglary suspect then lunged at the homeowner and that’s when the owner shot the suspect.
(More)
Labels: FL, trespassing
3/7/09
Orlando, Florida
From the Orlando Sentinel of March 7, 2009
Shooting death ruled self-defenseFrom the March 6, 2009 Orlando Sentinel:
A deadly shooting in an Orange County neighborhood was determined to be self-defense, records released Friday show. Investigators say the shooter, 35-year-old Willie Busby, was cooperative during the investigation and was acting in self-defense when he shot a man on his mother's property Thursday afternoon. After the shooting, Busby ran into a patch of woods near the home at 1372 Clarcona Road near Apopka. Deputies responded to the shooting before 3p.m. and found Robert Howard, 22, dead.
A deadly shooting in an Orange County neighborhood was determined to be self-defense, according to information released this morning.
Investigators say the shooter, 35-year-old Willie Busby, was cooperative during the investigation and was acting in self-defense when he shot a man on his mother's property Thursday afternoon. After the shooting, Busby ran into a patch of woods near the home at 1372 Claracona Road near Apopka.
Deputies responded to the shooting around 2:57 p.m. and found 22-year-old Robert Howard dead. An arrest warrant had recently been issued for Howard's arrest in connection to an armed burglary case. Howard is alleged to have stolen an AK-47 assault rifle, an AR-15 assault rifle, a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun and two shotguns. It's unclear where that burglary took place.
Howard has a long criminal history that includes arrests for trespassing, loitering and several separate arrests for drug possession and intent to distribute charges. His most recent arrest was in November for trespassing.
Labels: FL, trespassing
2/23/09
Naples, Florida
From the Naples News of February 18, 2009
Estates homeowner fires gun at attempted robbery suspects
Collier County sheriff’s deputies are on the lookout for three men in a light blue minivan who they say attempted a home invasion Wednesday night in Golden Gate Estates, but fled when the homeowner shot at them.
Around 8:51 p.m. the three men attempted to enter a home in the 3600 block of 36th Avenue Southeast off Everglades Boulevard, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Karie Partington said.
The homeowner saw a light blue minivan pull up in the back yard.
"She gets a shotgun and fires two rounds of birdshot at the van," Partington said.
It is unclear if any of the three men, who were described as Hispanic, were shot, authorities said. Deputies, dogs and a Sheriff’s Office helicopter were all searching for a minivan with damage.
Labels: female, FL, trespassing
2/8/09
Kaufman County, Texas
From WFAA of February 6, 2009
Intruder shot at Kaufman County business
Investigators said an alleged intruder at a Kaufman County business was in stable condition Friday morning after the owner shot him.
According to Assistant Chief Deputy Troy Graham, the owner reported hearing someone inside his storage facility in the 1000 block of Everett Drive around 2:30 a.m. Robert Sanders grabbed his loaded rifle, walked to the front and confronted the suspected burglar.
He opened fire and struck the suspect, several times. Deputies found the wounded man lying just outside the door.
Sanders leases a storage unit at the location, and lives in the back of that unit.
At this time, no arrests have been made. Police say there are no plans to charge Sanders.
Stolen items from another nearby property were found in the victim's truck.
Labels: trespassing, TX
1/28/09
Sacramento, California
From MSNBC of January 27, 2009
Resident Spots Intruder, Fires Shot
A Sacramento resident confronted an alleged burglar in a back yard and fired a gunshot, but the intruder fled and it was not clear if anyone was hurt, police said.
A police report said a resident of 2600 block of Ensenada Way saw someone with a flashlight in the home's yard shortly after 1 a.m. Friday.
The resident told police he believed someone was trying to break into a shed behind the residence.
Authorities said the resident grabbed a handgun and went outside to confront the intruder.
The intruder cut the resident in the face with an unknown weapon and the resident responded by firing one shot in self-defense.
The intruder left. Police said it was not known if the intruder was injured, adding that no blood trail was found.
Labels: assault, CA, trespassing
1/15/09
Dumphries, Virginia
From WJLA of January 14, 2009
2 Arrested, 1 Still Sought in Would-be Robbery
An armed woman who stayed home sick from work Wednesday turned out to be a would-be robber's worst nightmare.
Police say an alarm went off Wednesday in broad daylight in the 3300 block of Dondis Creek Drive in Dumfries, prompting the home's owner to her basement door where she found three men trying to get inside.
"When she confronts them, the men take off and one of them returned," said Officer Erika Hernandez, Prince William County.
That is when the woman opened fire, striking the would-be robber in the upper body. Police caught him and he was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police later caught the second suspect, but are still looking for the third.
"That was an experience with the cop cars and the helicopters, I was wondering what was going on," said Joshua Washington, a neighbor.
Police say it appears the homeowner was within her rights to shoot the suspect, however, police are still investigating.
Labels: female, trespassing, VA
12/18/08
Sacramento, California
From the Sacramento Bee of December 4, 2008
Woman shoots thief, Sacramento police say
A 34-year-old homeowner shot a man who was trying to steal from her property in East Sacramento Wednesday morning, police said.
The incident happened about 7 a.m. in the 4500 block of 13th Avenue, Sacramento Police Department spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong said.
The suspect, who sustained facial injuries, is in a hospital and expected to survive, Leong said. The man, whose has not been released yet, is a parolee-at-large.
Investigators are reviewing the case to determine if the woman acted in self-defense. She has not been charged, Leong said.
Labels: CA, female, trespassing
Newberry, South Carolina
From WISTV of December 15, 2008
One dead, four charged in apparent robbery attempt
The Newberry Police Department is investigating a shooting over the weekend that left a would-be robber dead.
According to Newberry Police Chief Jackie Swindler, the investigation started Saturday night when 35-year-old Willie Hiller was found dead in the driveway of a home on 1st Street.
At about that same time, a man went to the police station and told officers that he shot into a crowd of people as they attempted to rob his apartment at the Palmetto Point Apartments.
That apartment complex is near the location that Hiller's body was found.
The man who fired the shots told investigators a group of people tried to rob him at his apartment, and in self-defense, he fired into the group.
Police say it started around 9:30pm, when a 13-year-old came knocking.
They say the resident recognized the child and opened the door. Soon after that, police say 5 others rushed the apartment trying to get inside.
"The plan was for all of them to gain entry and get inside and rob the individuals of this house," Swindler said.
Investigators are still trying to work out the details but tell News 10 that the man who fired the shots will more than likely not be charged, as it appears he acted in self-defense.
Four people have been charged, including 18-year-old Jessica Sligh, with attempted armed robbery and attempted burglary.
"It's just sad that people make choices and consequences are grave. It's just a tragedy all the way around," Swindler said.
Apartment manager Lee Pannier cleaned up Monday morning. He said his tenant made the right call.
"First thing you think of is protect your family," Pannier said.
Pannier also said that his tenant is well-known to the community and is a good guy. As for the shooting, he said, "Nothing remotely like this has ever happened before."
Authorities say they are looking for another adult; six people were involved all together, they say.
Labels: SC, trespassing
Ogden, Utah
From the Desert News of December 16, 2008
Burglary goes bad when would-be thief, homeowner trade shots in Ogden
Officers have arrested a man they say tried to break into a home and then traded shots with the homeowner in the middle of the street.
Ogden police said it happened about 9 a.m. Tuesday at a home on the 200 block of 29th Street when two men tried to break in.
"They were kicking in the door, and the man was inside with his family," Ogden Police Lt. Scott Sangberg said Tuesday. "He went to the door with his 9 mm (handgun). Then the guy realized that the place wasn't vacant and started to leave."
As he was leaving, police said one of the would-be burglars fired a gun at the homeowner.
"The owner took a shot at him," Sangberg said.
The homeowner gave police a description of the men and the green Dodge Intrepid they fled in. Police recognized it from an attempted burglary case they dealt with the week before and went to the suspect's home, where he was arrested.
The 31-year-old man was being booked into the Weber County Jail for investigation of burglary. Detectives were still investigating the case, Sangberg said, including whether the homeowner would face any charges in the shooting.
Labels: trespassing, UT
11/25/08
Lubbock, Texas
From KCBD of November 24, 2008
Homeowner Shoots Intruder Attempting to Break In
A homeowner got a surprise wakeup call Monday. Gabriel Guzman was in his 59th Street home Monday morning, when he was startled by his doorbell continuously ringing. "They kept ringing the doorbell and it kind of worried me some so I kind of glanced out the window and I didn't see anything," said Guzman.
Guzman kept peering out his windows, and that's when he saw 18-year-old Adrian Hardaway walk towards his backyard. Out of fear Guzman grabbed his gun. "I opened up the door and yelled at him and I just told him to get away. I looked and he was pointing his gun at me and I had mine and I warned him to get away. I looked again and that's when he had his gun and I thought he was going to shoot me - so I shot him," said Guzman.
Guzman backed the suspect up into his backyard, once he shot him, the suspect feel over and Guzman warned the suspect several times to toss the gun away. Once he finally tossed it aside, then he called the police.
Guzman says he doesn't regret his decision. "When it actually happens, you don't know what you are going to do. I didn't intend to look and have a gun pointed back at me. I just did what I thought was right at the time and that's about it," said Guzman.
Lubbock police say they believe the suspect was responsible for two other burglaries in the neighborhood before he was shot. The suspect was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Labels: trespassing, TX
11/3/08
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
From the Dubuque Telegraph Herald of November 2, 2008
Shooting victim faces charges
A man shot by his neighbor while he allegedly was vandalizing her home is charged with criminal damage to property -- and the neighbor isn't expected to face any charges.
The criminal complaint filed in Crawford County Circuit Court said 53-year-old Harvey Townsend used a metal fence post to smash 16 windows and a storm door of the neighbor's house in Steuben Oct. 20.
According to Sheriff Jerry Moran, the neighbor, a 54-year-old woman, said she fired warning rounds from a pistol but didn't intend to hit Townsend, who fled and was located by a police dog in a nearby woods with a wound to the abdomen.
The woman has since filed for a temporary restraining order against Townsend. A hearing on that action is scheduled Monday -- the same day Townsend is due for his preliminary hearing.
Labels: female, trespassing, WI
10/31/08
Gallia County, Ohio
From WSAX of October 31, 2008
Homeowner Shoots Break-in Suspect in Head, Deputies Say
Taking the law into your own hands. That's what a local homeowner did when he caught a thief breaking into his storage shed. Armed with his shotgun, one shot was all it took and the burglary came to an abrupt end.
“I woke up and heard the alarm and came out at 3:30 in the morning,” Ivan Hurt said.
Hurt lives alone in rural northern Gallia County. He has a shed full of equipment he values and fiercely protects it. That's why when two men broke into the building early Friday morning, Ivan was ready.
“I saw him come, and he turned like this and he had a flashlight in one hand and something else in the other, so I shot,” Hurt said.
Mr. Hurt wasted no time, he was barely out of his house when he pulled the trigger from more than 30 yards away.
“You see this spray pattern. That’s what happens when you shoot from so far away. I didn’t want to kill anyone, and it still makes me sick that I even had to wound someone. I’ve been robbed before and that’s when I installed an alarm so I could be ready,” Hurt said.
“There are a lot of thefts because people are stealing to get their drugs,” said Gallia County Sheriff David Martin.
Martin said thefts are up nationally and that includes Gallia County. He said residents are tired of it and they're not going to take it anymore.
“The law protects you if you feel there is imminent danger to you or family members,” said Gallia County Prosecutor Jeff Adkins.
And if there's any doubt about what the man was up to, Hurt said he left an incriminating piece of evidence behind.
“This is a mask he was wearing, and you can even see the blood from where he was hit,” said Hurt.
Ronald J. Johnson was the suspect and shooting victim. He was in fair condition Friday evening at St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington. The second suspect got away. Police are still searching for him. Both men will face charges.
There was no word on whether Hurt will be charged with anything. Prosecutors will decide whether he acted negligently or in self defense.
Labels: OH, trespassing
9/30/08
Shelby County, Tennessee
From Eyewitness News of September 30, 2008
Armed Homeowner Confronts Trailer Thieves
Sheriff’s detectives say a Rosemark man held two thieves at gunpoint who tried to steal a utility trailer from his front yard yesterday. Detectives believe the suspects may also be responsible for stealing other utility trailers.
About 11:30 yesterday morning, Steven Rutter, 57, who lives in the 8700 block of Rosemark Road in north Shelby County, heard a vehicle slow down in front of his house. Rutter saw a gray Dodge Ram pickup truck back into his front yard.
Two men then began hooking up Rutter’s utility trailer to the pickup truck. Detectives say Rutter got his pistol and confronted the two men. Initially, Jessie Brown, 51, of Munford and Kelvin Nathaniel, 45, of Drummonds, told Rutter a neighbor said they could use the trailer to move some hay.
Rutter didn’t believe their story and called for Deputies. Moments later, Brown and Nathaniel were taken into custody. Both were charged with Theft of Property.
Detectives say the investigation is continuing and the suspects may be responsible for other utility trailer thefts in Shelby and neighboring counties.
Labels: street property theft, TN, trespassing
8/7/08
Clearwater, Florida
From ABC Action News of August 5, 2008
Clearwater homeowner shoots intruder
A suspected home intruder was taken to the hospital early Tuesday morning, after police say he was shot by a homeowner.
Police say the homeowner awoke to noise coming from the garage of his home on Pennsylvania Avenue. The homeowner went to check it out, found the intruder and shot him.
That man was taken to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment. Police have not said how badly he was injured.
Labels: FL, trespassing
7/29/08
Midwest City, Oklahoma
From KOCO of July 17, 2008
Homeowner Guns Down MWC Burglary Suspect
Authorities said a homeowner shot and killed a burglary suspect after a confrontation in a rural Midwest City neighborhood.
Oklahoma County Sheriff's spokesman Mark Myers said the resident told deputies he spotted a man breaking into a large shed on his property and confronted him about 2:30 p.m. Thursday. When the suspect got into his car and tried to flee, the homeowner said he stepped in front of the vehicle to prevent the man from leaving.
The homeowner said he fired one shot from a shotgun as the suspected burglar lunged toward him in his car.
Myers said the man died at the scene. The names of the victim and the shooter were not immediately released.
Labels: assault, OK, trespassing
Hancock County, Mississippi
From the Sun Herald of July 29, 2008
84-year-old man wounds intruder
An 84-year-old man, who repeatedly held off an alleged intruder Sunday when the man tried to break into his home, finally got a gun in desperation and shot through a door, wounding the intruder in the leg.
At the time, the elderly resident was at home with his 74-year-old wife about 5 a.m. at their residence in the area of Adams Street in Bayside Park. Hancock County Sheriff's Investigator Andre Fizer said the couple heard a disturbance as a man tried to break through the front door and also tried to enter through a back door and a rear window of the residence.
The resident called 911 and reported that the intruder was trying to force his way into the home, and was threatening to kill him. He held himself against the door to keep the man from entering.
"The victim stated that when he became physically tired from holding the door, he became fearful for his and his wife's lives," Fizer said.
As he grew weaker trying to hold off the intruder, the resident asked his wife to bring his .45-caliber Colt handgun. He fired one shot through a lower panel of the door.
"He was getting tired," said Fizer, who listened to a tape of the 911 call during the ensuing investigation. "He said, 'I knew the guy was going to eventually overcome me.'
Although meant as a warning shot, the round struck 20-year-old Wade Ledesma of Bay St. Louis in the lower left leg. He was initially taken by American Medical Response to Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, then was transferred to University Hospital in Jackson. Ledesma was listed in fair condition Monday, Fizer said.
Deputies declined to release the name of the homeowner, saying the couple feared recrimination. Based on evidence and the 911 tape, no charges were filed against him.
From hearing the tape, "You could tell he was devastated," Fizer said. "You could tell he was scared."
It was not clear whether Ledesma knew his alleged victims. Pending his release from hospitalization, he faces charges of attempted burglary, malicious mischief, and disturbance of a family, Fizer said.
Deputies investigating the case included Fizer, Lt. Stacy Wilson, Sgt. Gary Dyess and Matt Schmidlin.
Labels: MS, senior, trespassing
7/24/08
Barstow, California
From the Desert Dispatch of July 22, 2008
DA declines charges in fatal Marine shooting
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office elected not to file charges against Issa Wajeel, 50, the Barstow man who was arrested Friday on suspicion of murder in connection with the shooting death of a Camp Pendleton Marine.
Michael Fermin, supervising deputy district attorney at the Barstow courthouse, said he received the Barstow Police Department report in the case late in the day on Monday. After reviewing the file with Gary Roth, chief deputy district attorney for the Desert-Mountain region of the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, they came to the conclusion Tuesday afternoon that Wajeel acted in self-defense when he shot 20-year-old Michael Firkins, Fermin said.
He would not comment on the evidence that led them to that conclusion.
Police found Firkins with a gunshot wound to the head in a truck parked in front of Wajeel’s house on July 3. He died in the hospital on July 6, and Wajeel was arrested Friday on suspicion of murder. Wajeel, who was in his yard with a gun when police arrived, told investigators that he had confronted a man who may have been trying to break into his house.
Wajeel, a retired Army sergeant first class, worked as a contractor at Fort Irwin and taught administration of justice classes part time at Barstow Community College.
Fermin said the fact that Wajeel was a respected figure in the community did not play into his decision not to file charges.
“We base it on the facts of the law, the facts of what happened and the law that applies in that situation,” he said. “... Sometimes that decision-making process may not be a popular one, but it’s one we believe to be right under the eye of the law and the facts that are available.”
The investigation is still open, and the District Attorney’s Office could elect to file charges in the future if new evidence surfaces, he said.
As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, West Valley Detention Center still listed Wajeel as an inmate.
Labels: CA, trespassing
Pulaski County, Kentucky
From WTVQ of July 24, 2008
Man Shot & Killed in Self-Defense
Police have not filed any charges against a Pulaski County man who they say shot and killed someone in self-defense.
Last night, officers were called to a home on West Highway, in Science Hill, to investigate a shooting.
They say three people, one armed with wooden club, went to the home to start a fight -- which they did.
After a short time, police say the homeowner, Joshua Pyles, got a shotgun and asked the suspects to leave his home and property.
They refused and continued to make threats, so Pyles fired one shot.
One of the suspects, 34-year-old Jim Goff, was hit.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The two other suspects, Heather Goff, 29, wife of the deceased, and John Strunk, 46, Heaton Ford Road Science Hill, KY were both arrested at the scene and charged with assault 2nd degree.
Pyles has not yet been charged in the shooting.
The preliminary investigation indicates that Pyles was acting in self-defense in protecting himself and his family.
The results of the investigation will be presented to the Pulaski County Grand Jury.
Labels: KY, trespassing
7/7/08
Tampa, Florida
From MyFox Tampa Bay of July 7, 2008
Tunnelling would-be burglar thwarted by homeowner
Police say they've arrested a man who tried to tunnel into his neighbor's home.
It was early Sunday, investigators say, when Mark Mazur snuck into a yard on San Luis and dug a tunnel under the fence.
But his clandestine plan was thwarted by the homeowner's dog. When he heard his dog barking, Robert Cash came outside -- armed with a handgun -- and ordered the intruder to stop.
Mazur, armed with a blowtorch, started towards Cash. Investigators say Cash fired once and missed Mazur, but the shot was enough to convince him to stop and wait for police to arrive.
Mazur, 56, has several prior arrests around the Bay Area. He was charged with burglary and assault.
Labels: FL, trespassing
7/5/08
Houston, Texas
From KHOU of July 1, 2008
Houston area storage owner shoots at would-be thieves
A would-be theft suspect was apparently hurt while trying to break into the Storage Facilities in northwest Harris County early Tuesday morning.
Danny Colwell has owned the business at 6900 Guhn Road for 12 years. He said he heard a saw the morning of the reported theft and decided to investigate. “The gate was halfway closed and I blocked the rest of the gate with my truck and then I walked around the corner. I thought it was one of the tenants working.”
Colwell said he picked up his gun and rounded the corner expecting a tenant. He found a thief instead.
“I kind of panicked, you know, and fired a shot and then the guy I guess dropped the saw,” said Colwell.
The reported thief was hurt. It's not clear if he was shot or wounded while trying to cut into the building.
He did, however, jump in a van and then ram Colwell's vehicle and a fence before driving off.
Sheriff's deputies say that several facilities in the area have been targeted recently.
They say that the suspect's burnt-out van was found later on Ella near Beltway 8.
No suspects are in custody.
Labels: trespassing, TX
6/28/08
Moody County, South Dakota
From the Moody County Enterprise of June 25, 2008
No charges filed in shooting case
The decision has been made by the Moody County State’s Attorney not to file charges against Matthew Heinricy in connection with the death of Jason Clough on May 25, 2008 outside a rural Colman Residence.
The facts of the case indicate a justifiable homicide as defined by State law, SDCL 22-16-34. The Moody County Grand Jury has also investigated the case and taken testimony and has decided not to issue any indictments in connection with the incident.
Jason Clough had attempted unsuccessfully to force his way into the Heinricy home on May 25. From outside the house, he fired his shotgun twice at a door, once through the kitchen window at occupants of the house and had raised his shotgun at another window when Heinricy fired back from inside the house, killing Clough instantly.
State law provides that homicide is justifiable if committed while resisting an attempt to commit murder, or, in other words, in defending oneself, or, when necessary to save his own life or others’ lives, or avoid great bodily harm when attacked in his own home.
Labels: SD, trespassing
6/27/08
San Bernardino, California
From the Press-Enterprise of June 26, 2008
Homeowner justified in shooting drunken man, S.B. County district attorney's office finds
A 53-year-old San Bernardino homeowner, fearful that he was dealing with a dangerous burglar, was legally justified in killing a drunken man during a 3 a.m. confrontation on the homeowner's front walkway, prosecutors said Thursday.
The finding of justifiable homicide means that no criminal charges will be filed against Brad Nielsen for the June 15 slaying of Joshua Munoz, 23, in the Devil Canyon area of northwest San Bernardino.
Munoz died of a single gunshot wound to the chest. Nielsen wasn't arrested.
"He believed that someone was trying to break into his house," San Bernardino County Supervising Deputy District Attorney Rick Young said. "When he saw (Munoz) near his vehicle, he was justified in confronting him.
"Possibly due to his intoxication, the deceased did not respond in a manner to de-escalate the situation but, instead, began approaching the homeowner who -- at gunpoint -- told him several times to stop."
Nielsen feared for his safety and the safety of his wife and child, he told police.
"He felt that if he let the subject get any closer, they would be in a fight for the gun," Young said by phone. "This tragic homicide was legally justified in self-defense and the defense of others."
Munoz had been drinking and had passed out in his Honda Civic that night, investigators have said.
The car was parked in front of his girlfriend's home and across the street from Nielsen's two-story home in the 6400 block of North Ventura Avenue.
Efforts to reach Nielsen and Munoz's girlfriend and aunt on Thursday were unsuccessful.
"He was a kid who drank too much and walked into the wrong yard," Cindy Ledbetter, the mother of Munoz's girlfriend, said earlier. "The whole thing is senseless."
Nielsen was awakened by noises, armed himself with a pistol and walked outside to investigate, police have said.
It remains unclear why Munoz was on Nielsen's property.
"He probably got disoriented and thought he was going into his girlfriend's house," Young Said. "It's a tragedy."
Labels: CA, intoxication, trespassing
Portland, Oregon
From KATU of June 27, 2008
Portland homeowner shoots suspected prowlers
Police say a man claiming to be protecting his property shot two people Thursday night in northeast Portland.
The incident began about 10:30 p.m. when the police said a homeowner claimed he heard someone trying to break into his RV, which was parked at his home near the 1400 block of Northeast Marine Drive.
When police arrived they said the homeowner had apparently shot the suspected prowlers with a shotgun, hitting a man in the hand. The suspect was not seriously hurt but had some shotgun pellets lodged in his hand. He was transported to the hospital.
A woman with the man was treated at the hospital but the nature of her wounds was not specified. Both were treated, released and arrested.
Delisa Petersen, 21, and Gary Miller, 37, were charged with one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. The man who shot them was not charged.
According to police, the homeowner fired one round into the air as he attempted to stop the suspects.
The man then fired a second round at one of the suspects as they approached him in a threatening way, police said.
Labels: OR, trespassing
6/10/08
Oakland, California
From the Oakland Tribune of June 9, 2008
Oakland man shoots would-be burglar
An armed East Oakland homeowner who tried to dissuade a burglary suspect with several warning shots ended up shooting the man in the leg Monday in the most recent in a string of incidents in which victims have shot suspects.
Neighbors of the home on the 2200 block of 100th Avenue said the house had been broken into before.
"The guy is exasperated because they target his house," said the shooter's next-door neighbor, who declined to give her name. "There's got to be somebody watching him, because the minute he leaves the house it's targeted to be broken into. It's between five and six times, quite a few attempts at it, no matter what he does."
Police said the 37-year-old homeowner, who has lived in the house most of his life, was home a little before 11 a.m. Monday when he saw someone walk toward his garage, then reappear and try to pry open a back window with a garden tool. The homeowner walked to his deck and fired warning shots with a pistol, which seemed to drive the man away.
But when the homeowner stepped out his front door, the suspect reappeared and began moving toward the house, as if determined to get in, according to a statement the man gave police. The homeowner fired two more warning shots into the ground, but the suspect kept coming forward, at which point the homeowner shot the suspect in the upper leg.
Neighbors said they came out to find the suspect lying on the sidewalk, shouting that he hadn't known anybody lived there. Medics with the Oakland Fire Department arrived and treated the wounded man briefly before taking him to Highland Hospital; they left the suspect's shoes on the sidewalk in front of the house near a small bloodstain.
Police identified the burglary suspect as Marcus Holoman, 51. He did not have a gun.
Officials said he has a criminal record that includes arrests and convictions for burglary. He was under police guard at Highland on Monday and was being detained on suspicion of burglary.
The homeowner's handgun is legally registered, and police did not arrest the homeowner or charge him with anything.
(More)
Labels: CA, trespassing
6/5/08
Vienna, Maine
From the Sun Journal of June 5, 2008
Theft victim shoots up suspects' pickup truck
All Joe Lord needed to halt a pair of theft suspects was patience and a shotgun.
The 66-year-old man blew apart a Ford pickup truck Tuesday morning and scared away the couple he said had stolen $3,000 worth of scrap iron, steel and aluminum from his machine shop over the weekend.
Taking aim after more than two days without sleep, Lord shot holes in the front tires of the 2008 Ford F-250, blew out the windshield and rear window and shot up the radiator.
"I disabled the truck," Lord said Wednesday. "That's all I did."
Disabled the truck, forced the suspects to flee on foot and gave police a big head start toward solving the crime, that is.
Investigators from the Kennebec County Sheriff's Office said they tracked down the driver of the truck, Elizabeth Evans of Mount Vernon. The truck is owned by her father.
The girl will be charged with theft, and charges are pending against an accomplice, said Kennebec County Sheriff Randall Liberty.
Lord said that after watching his property on Kimball Pond Road for 56 hours straight, he would have aimed for the suspects themselves if he had seen them.
"It's not my intention to go around shooting people," Lord said. "But if they had been there, I would have shot them, no doubt about it. I was so exhausted."
Exhausted, but by all accounts a good shot with a 12-gauge loaded with buckshot.
Lord said he spotted the truck after returning to his shop for a third time Tuesday. It was parked there with a heap of scrap metal in the bed.
"I didn't do anything until I knew what they were doing," Lord said. "When I saw my steel in the back of the truck, I knew I had to do something."
Lord took aim and the disabling of the truck began.
"I blew out the radiator. I shot the two front tires and the windshield. There was some damage to the back window, too," Lord said. "I put some pellets in the seat. They said I got the water pump and the power steering, but I don't know about that."
None of the shots landed in the body of the truck, Lord said, because that was not his intent. He simply wanted the truck to stay where it was, and that is exactly what happened.
And, there were no more thieves milling around his business.
"A 12-gauge shotgun is pretty intimidating," Lord said. "It echoed for about a quarter-mile down to the lake."
More
Labels: ME, residence burglary, senior, trespassing
Green County, Indiana
From My Wabash Valley of May 23, 2008
Business Owner Shoots Alleged Robbers
Two people allegedly committing a theft at "K and H Auto" in Greene County are shot by the owner early Friday morning.
The Greene County Sheriff's Department says the business owner saw two men on his property, and he ordered them to show their hands.
One of them men pointed something toward the owner, and the owner started shooting. At least one of the men was believed to be wounded by the gunfire.
The Bloomfield Free Press is reporting that one of the men was airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with a gunshot wound to his chest.
The Free Press is also reporting that the second man involved may also at Bloomington Hospital.
It turns out it was only a flashlight that was pointed at the owner.
Labels: IN, trespassing
4/7/08
Vicksburg, Mississippi
From the Vicksburg Post of April 7, 2008
Property owner shoots at scrap metal thieves
Warren County Sheriff's deputies were investigating an attempted theft that led to one person being shot, said Sheriff Martin Pace.
A man who owns property on Standard Hill off Sherman Avenue saw two people, who had been dropped off by a third person, in the process of stealing scrap metal off his land. The property owner shot in their direction, which caused them to run off, and grabbed the driver of the vehicle. While he held the driver at gunpoint and waited for deputies to arrive, 911 received a report of a person having been shot in the leg on Sherman Avenue.
"Although the person who was shot is not admitting to trying to take the metal, it's clearly going to be related," Pace said.
What appears to be a bullet hole was also found in the vehicle, which has been impounded and will be part of the investigation. Pace said this morning that no one had been arrested, but deputies will retrieve statements from all who were involved and present them to District Attorney Ricky Smith, who then will determine if any charges will be filed against either the suspects or the property owner.
Labels: MS, trespassing
4/4/08
Houston, Texas
From Click2Houston of April 3, 2008
Homeowner Shoots Suspect After 2 Break-Ins
A southeast Houston homeowner shot a burglary suspect Thursday afternoon after he was victimized twice in a week, officials told KPRC Local 2.
Thomas Williamson lives in the 6000 block of Bois D'arc. He said he stayed home from work on Thursday after a burglar hit his home twice in a few days.
Williamson said he looked out his window at about 1 p.m. and saw a man walk across his back yard. The man went into Williamson's garage and tried to steal an air compressor, worth about $400, he said.
When the burglary suspect walked out of the garage with bolt cutters, Williamson said he grabbed his shotgun.
"He came to the door and I went, 'Get on the ground. Get on the ground.' He got on the ground and I told him, 'Do not move,'" he said. "I was shaking. I had him on the ground with my shotgun and I told him, 'Do not move.' I was even yelling. I fired one shot in the ground just to show him I meant business."
Williamson said he shot the man when he tried to run. The burglary suspect was taken to Ben Taub Hospital with a gunshot wound. His condition was not released.
The District Attorney's Office said charges would probably not be filed because Williamson was protecting his property.
Labels: trespassing, TX
3/1/08
Albertville, Alabama
From the The Huntsville Times of February 29, 2008
Albertville homeowner shoots backyard prowler
A homeowner on Valley View Drive who found two men in his backyard early today shot one of them with a shotgun, according to Albertville police.
The resident woke up before 1:30 a.m. because of a noise in the backyard and saw two people with flashlights, said police Sgt. Jamie Smith.
The homeowner got a shotgun, confronted the pair from inside the house, Smith said, and fired.
Officers found a man in the backyard with a gunshot wound to his upper torso, but he was conscious and talking before he was flown to Huntsville Hospital, Smith said.
The shooting is still under investigation, said Smith, and it appears that no charges will be filed against the homeowner. Police are still looking for the other prowler.
Labels: AL, trespassing
2/18/08
Lexington, Kentucky
From the Lexington Herald-Leader of February 18, 2008
Man says shooting was self defense
A man is claiming self defense after police say he shot and killed a Montgomery County man.
Police say 27-year-old Mike Dunn fatally shot 46-year-old Greg Rudd on Sunday. Dunn tells WKYT in Lexington that he had no choice but to shoot Rudd.
Dunn says Rudd pointed a gun at him and threatened to kill him before he fired.
He says he went to find out why Rudd and another man were on his property without his permission. And when he approached the men, he says they began arguing.
Police have not made an arrest in the case but they are still investigating.
Dunn says he hopes Rudd's family can forgive him.
Labels: altercation, KY, trespassing
2/12/08
Fort Bend County, Texas
From the Houston Chronicle of February 11, 2008
Fort Bend homeowner shoots suspected thieves
Two men were shot Sunday when they allegedly tried to steal auto parts from in front of a home near Stafford in Fort Bend County.
The men, whose names were not immediately known, were shot about 2:30 a.m. in the 2700 block of Oakdale Court, said Fort Bend County Sheriff's spokeswoman Terriann Carlson.
Carlson said the homeowner heard unusual sounds coming from outside his house and then saw a man approaching his front door.
The homeowner got a weapon and told a woman in the house to call police.
"In an attempt to protect themselves and their property, several persons inside the residence discharged their weapons numerous times, hitting one suspect in the head area and the second in the back," Carlson said in a released statement.
One man was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital and another man was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Both were in serious condition.
The identities of the homeowner and the others who fired weapons were not released.
The case will be sent to the Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office and then will be reviewed by a grand jury.
Labels: street property theft, trespassing, TX
2/7/08
Houston, Texas
From KTRK of February 7, 2008
Store owner fatally shot suspected thief
The owner of an office supply business shot and killed a would-be thief.
It happened on Reveille and Bradford in southeast Houston. The owner heard someone trying to get into his business at midnight. He went outside with a gun and caught a man trying to steal a trailer parked behind his business.
The would-be thief then tried to run over the business owner with his truck and the business owner fired back through the truck's rear window.
Despite being shot, the suspect kept driving his truck for three blocks until he fell out of his truck and died on the road.
Police officers also found tires in the back of that truck, which may have been stolen.
Labels: assault, trespassing, TX
1/29/08
Augusta, Georgia
From WRDW of January 28, 2008
Augusta homeowner shoots suspected burglary in leg
One man admits he shot another, but it's the man who was shot who went to jail.
The Thurman family says after two people stole from them they got a security system and a gun. Now, they say, they've both come in handy.
"As soon as [the motion sensor] went off, we were able to look out the window and see that he had opened the door to the truck," said Michael Thurman.
He says he thought it was a burglar.
So he grabbed his gun, ran downstairs and went outside.
"When I saw him right here I said hey what are you doing?" Thurman said.
An incident report shows the suspect, Jeffery Whitt, started to run to a dark part of the yard.
Thurman says he couldn't see him and was afraid he might be going to get a gun.
"Anything could've been in [the] area, so I did what I thought I needed to protect myself and my family. I fired a few shots,"
One of those shots into the dark hit the suspect in the leg.
Whitt kept running down the street and ended up at Macedonia Baptist Church.
Deputies arrested him and took him to MCG.
Thurman says his GPS system was missing and deputies found one between his house and the church.
Michael's wife says she's glad her husband stood up for her.
"I am proud that I have a husband that would protect his family," Angela Thurman said.
Michael's thankful his bullet only hurt the suspect, but even happier it helped deputies catch him.
But still, he says he and his wife may have some sleepless nights.
"I'm still shaking from the incident. Going through anything like that is horrible," Michael said.
Labels: GA, trespassing
1/16/08
Cross Hill, South Carolina
From the WSPA of January 15, 2008
Cross Hill Woman Comes Home, Kills Intruder
A Cross Hill woman returned home to find an intruder inside, and then shot and killed him. The incident happened about 8pm this evening on Pineland Shores Road. Laurens County Sheriff Ricky Chastain tells News Channel 7 that the woman heard someone in the home, grabbed a weapon, and saw him hiding in one of the rooms. She then shot him. It was not until after she shot him that she realized she knew him. Chastain says robbery appears to be the motive.
Investigators will now present the case to Solicitor Jerry Peace to determine if the woman will be charged. No names were released this evening.
Further links:
Laurens Co. Woman Shoots And Kills Home Invader
Labels: female, residence burglary, SC, trespassing
1/10/08
Indianapolis, Indiana
From the Indy Channel of January 10, 2008
Police: Homeowner Shot, Beat Would-Be Burglar
A man shot and beat someone who was trying to break into his home on Indianapolis' east side early Thursday morning, police said.
Police said Donald Robertson, 53, was asleep just after midnight when he was awakened by the sound of breaking glass.
Robertson grabbed a shotgun and went outside, where he found Chester Burkett, 43, breaking one of the home's windows, police said.
Authorities said the two men struggled with each other, and Robertson fired his shotgun. Police said Robertson told them he wasn't sure if he'd hit Burkett, so he struck the would-be burglar several times with the butt of the shotgun.
Investigators said Robertson fired as many as two additional shots as Burkett ran to another home.
Burkett was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary, residential entry and attempted theft. He was taken to Wishard Memorial Hospital with a shotgun wound to his thigh and several cuts on his head, police said.
Robertson was treated at the scene and released.
Further links:
New homeowner shoots intruder
Labels: home invasion, IN, trespassing
12/13/07
Stanford, Kentucky
From the Lexington Herald-Leader of December 13, 2007
Man Charged After Being Shot
A Lincoln County man was charged with wanton endangerment after being shot by a man he threatened, Kentucky State Police said yesterday. Jerry Cornett, 48, of Kings Mountain was taken to the Lincoln County Jail after being treated at Fort Logan Hospital in Stanford. He is accused of threatening to kill Randall Taylor and going to Taylor's house on Martins Trail in Stanford shortly before 10:50 p.m. Monday with a gun he fired at the man inside the house. Taylor reportedly fired a shotgun, hitting Cornett in the arm and face. Cornett was arrested at the hospital Tuesday.
Labels: KY, trespassing
12/11/07
Bakersfield, California
From Fox58 Eyewitness News of December 11, 2007
Homeowner shoots at armed burglary suspect
A Bakersfield home-owner shot at an armed burglary suspect, scaring off the would-be crook Monday night. Sheriff officials say the resident has the right to protect himself with deadly use of force.
The incident happened in the area of Gosford and Lindsey Roads south of Bakersfield. The home-owner told Eyewitness News his property had been the target of crime and attempted burglaries three times in the last 18 months -- that's why he was ready with a gun.
The resident says he spotted the suspect trying to break into a front window of the house he built on the property for his son. They were both at the father's house when they heard the dog bark, and went to investigate.
The home-owner then spotted an unfamiliar man in the yard. "As soon as the unfamiliar male saw the home-owner, he raised what appeared to be a handgun toward the home-owner," Sheriff's Sgt. Ed Komin told Eyewitness News. "The home-owner took one shot toward the suspect, and the suspect fled on foot."
Sgt. Komin says it appears that shot did not hit the suspect. Officers who immediately came to the scene found no blood or any other indicators where the suspect took off.
The resident told Eyewitness News he saw the would-be burglar raise a gun, and he didn't want to be shot -- so he fired at the suspect.
Sgt. Komin says a resident has the right to shoot an intruder to protect life.
"Certainly when the home-owner was threatened by what appeared to be a gun coming up toward him, it would be appropriate and prudent -- and that's the thing to do, is to use deadly force to protect yourself. That's the appropriate and legal thing to do."
Other neighbors say there have been several break-ins in the area. At one house, jewelry and computer equipment were stolen. Another neighbor came home to find suspects inside his house.
The suspect in the Monday night incident is described as a man of unknown race, about 5'9" and 170-pounds. Anyone with information can call the Sheriff's Department at 861-3110.
Sheriff officials confirm that there have been a number of burglaries and thefts. They do not know if this is the work of the same suspect.
The resident who shot at the suspect Monday night thinks the area is the target of crime because it's fairly rural. Neighbors say they have now started up a citizen patrol.
What can home-owners do to protect themselves and their property?
"Dogs are great, alarms are great -- lighting goes a long way and that sort of thing to protect property," says Sgt. Komin. "Now, once it crosses the line where a person is threatened -- then higher levels of force, of course, are appropriate."
Labels: CA, trespassing
11/29/07
Porter, Texas
From ABC13 WTRK of November 29, 2007
Homeowner shoots and kills suspected burglar in Porter
A homeowner in Porter shot and killed a suspected burglar Thursday. And the situation became so intense that the homeowner himself was taken to the hospital.
We're also learning there have been other problems with crime in the neighborhood on West Hammond near Highway 59.
Around 1:30pm, property owner Gary Southworth called 911 and said that he'd shot a man who was stealing from him and that he needed help. Paramedics rushed the suspected thief to Kingwood Hospital, but he died from his wounds.
Paramedics had to also take Southworth to the hospital after the shooting because the 60-year-old was having chest pains. Meanwhile, his wife, Alberta Southworth, says thieves had hit them several times recently.
"It's beyond awful," she said. "It's our whole life, I mean, he's been so sick and all we have left to live on is what they've stolen. We have nothing now. They took our bank account basically."
"He had reported two thefts in the past two days that had occurred in the nighttime hours," said Sgt. Bill Bucks with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department. "It's my understanding that this is not his primary residence, but he does own the property. He came back to watch and make sure nobody stole anything from his house."
A new law that just went into effect in September allows Texans to defend themselves with deadly force in their homes, cars and work places. The Castle Doctrine removes the requirement that a person must attempt to retreat before using deadly force.
It's important to note that the deputy told us that when Southworth called 911, he was requesting help for the man he just shot.
Southworth is in stable condition.
Further links:
Porter man suffers chest pains after killing theft suspect
Labels: residence robbery, trespassing, TX
11/27/07
Montgomery, Texas
From the Monroe County Courier of November 27, 2007
Montgomery man shot, killed
An argument between neighbors ended with gunfire Sunday night, leaving one man dead and another with questions to answer.
The shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. in the 4000 block of Pamela Way in Old Oak Estates, located off Texas 105 near Montgomery.
The deceased was identified as 43-year-old Dennis Clark.
Lt. Dan Norris, of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, said deputies arrived to find Clark was shot once in the abdomen while on a neighbor's property.
"The shooting incident occurred after Dennis Clark went to a neighbor's home, where an argument escalated from verbal to physical," Norris said. "The homeowner told investigators that Dennis Clark had been told repeatedly to leave, and when Dennis Clark came toward the homeowner in an aggressive manner, the homeowner shot Clark one time."
Clark was transported to Conroe Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Steve Kelley, who lives next door to the home where the shooting occurred, said he was surprised Monday morning when he heard about the shooting from his daughter-in-law, who also lives nearby.
"We didn't hear anything," Kelley said.
He and his wife, Joyce, knew of Clark, but did not know him personally.
Homes in the subdivision are scattered on large pieces of land in what Kelley says is a quiet neighborhood.
No charges have been filed against the homeowner, and the MCSO has not released his name.
More
Further links:
Authorities say man fatally shot neighbor during dispute
Labels: altercation, trespassing, TX
11/21/07
Crestview, Florida
From the Fort Walton Beach Daily News of November 21, 2007
Suspect's case closed after owner held him at gunpoint
The state attorney's office will not pursue charges brought by Michael Joseph McCreary
An 18-year-old arrested in October for trespassing on another man’s property and breaking into his vehicles won’t get to press charges against the owner, who held him at gunpoint until lawmen arrived.
The teen, Michael Joseph McCreary, had his case closed last week by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
He had approached deputies on Nov. 14 with his mother to file a complaint for aggravated assault and battery against the owner of the property on Reinke Drive — Victor E. Mikell — for using excessive force in detaining him in an Oct. 28 incident.
McCreary said Mikell hit him with the butt of a rifle, held the barrel at his head, drug him into a driveway and threatened to kill him while he waited for law enforcement to arrive.
But Mikell told investigators he had “heard shots” coming from the back of his property and went to investigate. That’s when he found McCreary and two other men fleeing after allegedly breaking into vehicles and stealing property from Mikell’s wooded land.
Mikell said he raised his rifle to his shoulder and yelled at McCreary to stop or he would shoot, and McCreary stopped.
But he soon became belligerent and acted like he might take off again, Mikell said, so he hit McCreary in the stomach with the butt of the rifle and marched him to the driveway, where he kept him face-down on the ground until lawmen arrived.
Mikell said this all took place while he was hearing gunfire from the woods on his property.
Sheriff’s deputy Jennifer Bellamy contacted assistant state attorney Bobby Elmore and gave both accounts of the incident, according to the report. But Elmore said his office would not file criminal charges against Mikell.
The case was approved closed on Nov. 15.
Labels: FL, residence burglary, trespassing
11/20/07
Indianapolis, Indiana
From the Indianapolis Star of November 20, 2007
Security guard kills man in vacant building
Police this morning identified the private security guard who shot and killed a suspected intruder in an empty Eastside apartment Monday as a 22-year-old from Greenfield.
Nicholas B. House, who works for Trinity Security, told police he thought the man had a gun. The deceased had not been positively identified this morning, but the Marion County coroner's office suspects he might be a 30-year-old from Centerville, Ill. House, according to police, was patrolling the Spanish Oaks apartment complex in the 10300 block of Governours Lane when he noticed an open door to a vacant apartment shortly before 9 p.m. Monday.
House went inside, identified himself and encountered two men in a bedroom. Believing one man had a gun, police said House fired his handgun.
One man collapsed from the gunshot to the chest, police said. The other man ran. Police think others may have fled the apartment.
Sgt. Paul Thompson said House was not an off-duty police officer. House could not give a description of the man who ran.
Police have not yet said if they recovered a gun from the dead man.
Labels: IN, private security, trespassing
10/25/07
Sherwood, Arkansas
From the Arkansas Democrat Gazette of October 25, 2007
Homeowner fears shots were fatal as body investigated
Sherwood resident Larry Staley fears he may have shot a would-be burglar Tuesday morning, but he holds tightly to the hope that the man died when he slipped and fell into Gap Creek.
Police are investigating the event in which Staley, whose home on Arkansas 107 has been a frequent target of burglars, fired several shots in the direction of an intruder in his backyard early Tuesday. Though police found nothing when they searched the area just after the incident, his wife discovered a body Tuesday afternoon in the creek along the edge of the family’s property.
“I’m very much afraid that I shot the man,” Staley said Wednesday.
Sherwood police spokesman Ryan Baker identified the man as Bryant Cross, 18, of McAlmont but said investigators have not verified his involvement in the burglary attempt and are waiting for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Tuesday night, the Pulaski County coroner’s office verified that the death is being investigated as a homicide. Wednesday, Coroner Mark Malcolm said the autopsy results will be delayed because of a backlog of pending autopsies.
In the interim, Staley said he is trying to make sense of what happened. “I’m very confused as to how the man got there and when,” the former Marine said. “I certainly wasn’t trying to deliberately take a life.” Staley said Wednesday his family has been the target of burglars five times since February 2006. In July, he and his wife, Erlene, thwarted a group of burglars after the family’s fourwheelers by firing shots over their heads.
Around 1: 30 a. m. Tuesday, Erlene Staley woke to see two men running from their garage, Larry Staley said. She stayed awake to watch the men. When they returned 10 minutes later, she woke her husband and called 911.
Staley said that when he took up a position at the backdoor with a. 22 pistol in hand, he saw the two men — a black man in a black-hooded shirt who was walking toward his shed and a white man who stood at the back corner of the house.
Suddenly, he said, the white man ran toward him. The man kept running when he told him to “Freeze,” so Staley said he fired a few shots into the tops of a small stand of pine trees in his backyard. When the man crossed Gap Creek and ran up and an embankment, Staley fired a few more shots several feet to the left of the man, into the embankment.
According to police, four Sherwood off icers who arrived at the Staleys’ house around 1: 45 a. m. heard gun shots and saw someone running west, away from the house. They searched, with the help of a dog, for more than an hour, but they found no one.
During it all, Staley said he lost sight of the black man.
“I never saw the man with the hood again that night,” Staley said.
Tuesday afternoon, he did.
Staley said his wife told him she saw a body in the creek around 1: 30 p. m. He said he didn’t believe her at first but, after walking to the creek’s slippery, rocky banks, he saw the man. He said he recognized the black-hooded clothing he had seen early Tuesday, but he said he saw no blood or gunshot wound.
Regardless of the cause, Staley said that, while he was trying to protect his family and defend his property, he regrets what happened.
“I feel so bad that a man died out here,” Staley said.
Baker said investigators have located another man they believe was involved in the attempted burglary. He did not identify the man and no charges had been filed against anyone as of Wednesday afternoon.
“This is one of those cases that’s up in the air,” Baker said. “We’re trying to put the pieces together.”
Detectives will turn their investigation over to the Pulaski County prosecutor, who will determine what, if any, charges should be filed, Baker said.
Wednesday, Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Jegley said he had not received any information from Sherwood police.
He will review the reports once they are filed. He could make a determination then or ask detectives for some additional information, Jegley said.
Labels: AR, trespassing
10/1/07
Memphis, Tennessee
From the Commercial Appeal of September 30, 2007
East Memphis homeowner shoots burglar
An East Memphis homeowner shot a burglar who had been prowling around his home Sunday morning, police said.
Memphis police responded to the call at 3:20 a.m. in the 1700 block of Danville near Perkins and Mallory.
The 24-year-old suspect was taken to The Regional Medical Center in critical condition.
Labels: TN, trespassing
9/29/07
Sierra Vista, Arizona
From Phoenix’ KTAR.com of September 29, 2007
Man Who Shot Teen after Prank AcquittedFrom the Arizona Range News of October 17, 2007
A Willcox man who shot and wounded a teenage girl after she and her friends banged on his windows in a late-night prank was acquitted of three felonies, but a jury couldn't reach a verdict on a fourth charge.
The Cochise County jury found Delbert "Cody" Evans not guilty of aggravated assault using a deadly weapon and endangering Kayla Shores, who was 14 when a bullet fired by Evans hit her in the back in February 2006. She has since recovered. Evans was also cleared of endangering another girl who was with a group of five teens on Evans' porch.
The jury was unable to reach a verdict on a charge of aggravated assault causing disfigurement. The verdicts came Friday after a three-day trial and eight hours of deliberations.
The teens had gone to Evans' rural home to get back at him for making a scary prank phone call, testimony showed. He had known Shores for years and they were friends.
Evans, 32, testified he had been threatened by a man over payment for a wood stove and thought he was shooting in self-defense at an assailant.
Prosecutor Vince Festa told jurors that Evans' actions were unjustified, saying Evans shot at ``fleeing shadowy figures'' that were not posing a threat.
Defense attorney Chuck Weninger said Evans would not have fired if he knew Shores was there, noting their long friendship.
A 13-person grand jury unanimously refused to indict Evans in 2006, infuriating some in the community, who accused Cochise County Attorney Ed Rheinheimer of bungling the case. A subsequent recall effort failed.
Rheinheimer eventually asked for a preliminary hearing, and a judge ordered Evans to stand trial on the four felony counts.
A hearing to decide if Evans will be retried on the remaining charge was set for Oct. 15.
Court dismisses final charge against Evans
A Cochise County Superior Court judge dismissed an aggravated assault count Monday against a man who shot a teenage Willcox girl in the back last year.
During a jury trial in late September, Delbert "Cody" Evans, 32, was found not guilty of one count of aggravated assault against Kayla Shores using a deadly weapon and not guilty of endangering the lives of Shores and her friend Shelby Fernandez.
The jury did not arrive at a verdict on a felony charge of aggravated assault against Shores by means of force that caused temporary but substantial disfigurement or loss or impairment of a body organ or part. On Feb. 18, 2006, Evans shot then-14-year-old Shores with a handgun after she and four other children had banged on the windows of his rural Willcox home at night in return for his making a scary prank phone call.
During a hearing Monday, Judge Stephen Desens dismissed the aggravated assault disfigurement count at the request of deputy county attorney Vince Festa.
Festa said the County Attorney's Office decided not to continue to prosecute Evans on the aggravated assault disfigurement count because of the small likelihood of getting a conviction on it.
He pointed out that according to a jury note, the eight-person panel had voted 7 to 1 on Sept. 28 for the acquittal of Evans on that count. Also, he said, during the summer of 2006, a grand jury had voted 13-0 against indicting Evans.
Based on those decisions, he said, it appears the people of Cochise County don't believe a crime was committed.
Sonny Shores, Kayla's father, said the outcome of the case is an "injustice."
"It's pretty sad that a guy can shoot a girl like that and face no consequences for it," he said.
He added that he wanted to thank all of the people who have helped support his family.
During the trial, Festa argued that Evans' actions violated the law. He said a person is allowed to act in self defense while there is apparent danger, but Evans shot at "fleeing shadowy figures" that were not posing a threat.
Defense attorney Chuck Weninger said Evans and Shores had been friends, and he would not have fired at her if he knew she was there. He explained that Evans thought he was shooting at Mark Rupert. He said Evans had been threatened by Rupert because Evans did not pay for a wood stove.
Neither Weninger nor Evans attended Monday's hearing. Also, both were unable to be reached for comment afterward.
Shores was seriously injured as a result of the shooting. She underwent surgery and was hospitalized for nine days.
She has scars from the wounds, and two bullet fragments remain lodged in her body.
Labels: AZ, trespassing
9/20/07
Huntsville, Texas
From the Huntsville Item of September 19, 2007
Shooting at business leaves man dead
Police are investigating a shooting that left a man dead early Wednesday morning at a Huntsville business.
Police said Wednesday that Terry Reginald Green, from Industry — some 18 miles south of Brenham — was found dead at around 4:30 a.m. at T.J. Burdett & Sons Recycling near the intersection of state Highway 75 and Interstate 45.
The business owner — whose name was not released as of late Wednesday night — shot the man in the chest with a shotgun after he suspected the man to be trespassing.
“The business owner confronted an intruder that had made his way into the locked fenced area of the closed business,” said Sgt. Jim Barnes with the Huntsville Police Department.
The owner told Green to stay put, but Barnes said the man refused. The owner then shot Green an unknown number of times in the chest.
“The business owner was armed with a shotgun and attempted to hold the intruder at gunpoint,” Barnes said. “The intruder failed to comply and was shot in the chest area.”
Green was pronounced dead at the scene by Precinct Justice of the Peace Janie Farris.
Further details were not immediately available, pending an investigation.
Labels: trespassing, TX
9/10/07
Moss Bluff, Louisiana
From KPLC of September 6, 2007
Two Men Arrested for Attempted Murder
Nestled in the woods of central Moss Bluff, Tanglewood Drive is by all accounts a quiet neighborhood. But it was here around 1 a.m. Wednesday that Calcasieu sheriff's detectives say 18-year-old Robert Willis and 25-year-old Jesse Graham began a crime spree. The sheriff's office says both men have a long criminal record and knew the game well. They say one of them knocks on the door, asking to speak with someone, while the other hides nearby.
"They asked the homeowner to speak with someone, he said nobody lives here by that name... And then one stepped around the corner with a shotgun. At that point, the homeowner who had a gun, pointed the gun at them and they fled," said Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso.
(More)
Labels: LA, residence robbery, trespassing
9/6/07
Buford, Georgia
From September 7, 2007 Gainesville [Georgia] Times:
A mentally disturbed man who authorities say approached a neighbor's home in a threatening manner was shot and critically wounded Thursday in South Hall County.
Authorities said David Klefforth, 20, had a history of violent criminal acts and suffered from unspecified mental health issues. Klefforth was in critical condition Thursday night at Grady Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Hall County Sheriff's Maj. Jeff Strickland said Klefforth and his parents had recently moved into a home behind the residence of Brian and Sandra Pannell, who live in the 5000 block of Blackberry Lane off McEver Road.
At about 8:10 a.m. Thursday, Klefforth approached the Pannells' home by walking up their driveway. The couple did not know him as a neighbor.
"They had never seen him before," Strickland said.
Sandra Pannell, who had just driven up to the house, saw the suspicious man and alerted her husband, who had her go inside the home while he came out with a small caliber handgun.
"He pointed the gun at (Klefforth) and ordered him to stop," Strickland said. Klefforth, who was unarmed, ignored the command and kept walking toward the front door of the home, Strickland said. After warning him several times, Brian Pannell fired one shot at the man's legs, which missed.
Strickland said Klefforth spoke to Pannell, though he declined to specify what was said.
"What put (Pannell) in fear of danger to his family is that (Klefforth) continued to make aggressive moves toward him after the first shot missed," Strickland said.
A second shot hit Klefforth in the abdomen, causing him to fall over.
Deputies and paramedics responded to the shooting scene within minutes and Klefforth was airlifted from a nearby industrial site off McEver Road.
As of Thursday night, Klefforth remained in "extremely critical" condition, Strickland said.
Pannell has not been charged with a crime. The case was forwarded to the office of Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh for review.
"That's a standard procedure in any shooting where self-defense is in play," Strickland said.
Labels: altercation, GA, trespassing
9/1/07
Canutillo, Texas
From KFOX of September 1, 2007
Police: Father Protects Daughter, Shoots Alleged Intruder
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office investigated a shooting in Canutillo Saturday morning.
It happened on the 800 block of Anthony Road early Saturday morning, when deputies said a 21-year-old man attempted to cause damage or commit a theft.
The woman who lived in the home called her father, who lives a few houses away.
He showed up with a handgun and confronted the 21-year old outside.
Deputies said the father fired a warning shot first, and fired at the man when the 21-year old charged after him.
The 21-year-old was hit in the chest.
He was taken to the hospital.
Deputies have not released the names of anyone involved.
They said charges are pending.
Labels: trespassing, TX
7/31/07
Piute County, Utah
From the Salt Lake Tribune of July 31, 2007
Trespassers meet with gunfire
A landowner greeted trespassers with gunfire in Piute County on Sunday. No one was injured. About 6 p.m., nine people entered a gate with a "no trespassing" sign and proceeded toward the Kimberly Mill, according to the Piute County Sheriff's Office. As they rounded a turn to the mill, a man who owns the property fired a .40-caliber pistol, said Deputy Mike Gayler. Gayler said it is unclear whether the man was trying to harm anyone or just scare away the party. The party fled to the main road but along the way one man stopped and fired five pistol shots into an unfastened padlock, the sheriff's office said. Gayler said the man appeared to fire at the lock out of spite. The sheriff's office is referring the case to county prosecutors.
Labels: trespassing, UT
7/24/07
Colorado Springs, Colorado
From Colorado Springs’ KKTV.com of July 24, 2007
Business Owner Holds Alleged Crook At Gunpoint
A business owner takes the law into his own hands and holds a suspected crook at gunpoint until police arrive. The suspect was allegedly breaking into cars at a business complex on North Cascade.
Just after midnight, something strange was going on outside the businesses. "He had taken a transformer off of Roger's truck and was beating on a car window. That was thumping noise I heard," Kristi Lyons told 11 News.
Her husband, Mike, grabbed his gun and ran outside. They knew there was an intruder when they saw the plastic window on their car sliced open.
Kristi said the suspect was caught red-handed, hiding behind and underneath cars in the parking lot.
"Mike had him at gunpoint. He said, ‘We can do this the easy way or the hard way.’ I called police." She was on the phone for about 5 minutes while she watched Mike go after the suspect.
"Mike had the kid at gunpoint. He started advancing toward Mike with a knife and Mike fired off a shot to let him know that he wasn’t kidding."
Police arrested 24-year-old Richard Richardson.
"I wish he would've shot the guy," said Lisa Yunker who owns the business next door. She said the row of businesses has been broken into several times. “Everyone is sick of it, this whole complex. We don't know why we're targeted."
For now, everyone who works there thinks of Kristi's husband as a hero. Kristi told 11 News she’d do it all over again if another intruder came onto her property, but “With a bigger gun."
Richard Richardon is behind bars charged with criminal mischief, trespassing and assault. Police said they had been looking for him earlier in the night for allegedly attacking a kid with a baseball bat.
Labels: assault, CO, trespassing
7/21/07
Houston, Texas
From Houston's ABC13.com of July 21, 2007
Man shoots trespasser twice in legsBased on the different geographical references, we believe that this is a different incident from the previous post.
A northwest Harris County homeowner says he shot a man in the legs on Friday because the man trespassed on his property.
The homeowner told deputies he heard dogs barking so he went outside and saw a man in his backyard.
He confronted the suspect and that's when the suspect pulled out some type of hammer or ax.
The homeowner then shot the suspect twice in the legs.
The suspect jumped the fence and ran off into some nearby woods.
A police dog found him a short time later. He was taken into custody on a stretcher.
Labels: assault, trespassing, TX
6/26/07
Shreveport, Louisiana
From Shreveport's KTBS of June 26, 2007
Homeowner kills suspected burglarFrom Shreveport’s KTBS.com of August 20, 2007
A homeowner shot and killed a suspected burglar this morning after finding him breaking into a car and a storage shed in his townhouse development.
Police said the homeowner tried to hold the burglar at bay until officers arrived, but the burglar tried to attack him.
The 49-year-old homeowner was questioned by police and released with no charges filed. The case will be sent to the district attorney for a decision on whether charges should be filed.
The shooting happened about 2:30 a.m. on Carlsbad Drive in far southeast Shreveport.
Killed was Jonathan Sternitzky, 19, who lived on nearby Monet Drive in the same development.
The homeowner said he saw the break-ins in progress, got a gun and went outside. He told police he tried to hold Sternitzky until officers got there but Sternitzky tried to attack him.
Police said the homeowner fired one shot, hitting Sternitzky in the chest.
Police said the mortally wounded man ran around the corner of the building before he collapsed and died.
Authorities did not release the name of the homeowner.
Clay Carroll backed his neighbor's action.
"Let people know that this ain't gonna be an area where it's tolerated," Carroll said. "We need to keep the crime out."
D.A. says shooting of burglar by homeowner was justified
A homeowner acted in self-defense when he fatally shot a man after catching him breaking into a car in his Shreveport townhouse development, Caddo District Attorney Paul Carmouche said today.
Prosecutors reviewed the findings of a police investigation and autopsy results before concluding the homeowner -- who was trying to hold the burglar at bay until police arrived -- was being attacked by the burglar when he fired, Carmouche said.
Carmouche said the 49-year-old homeowner was sitting on his Carlsbad Drive patio about 3 a.m. on June 26 when he heard someone breaking into a car. The homeowner got a gun from his house and confronted the burglar.
The burglar tried to convince the homeowner to let him go, then told him he had previous arrests and "nothing to lose" and charged the homeowner, Carmouche said. The homeowner fell back and fired one shot, hitting the other man in the chest.
Mortally wounded Jonathan Sternitzky, 19, ran around the corner of the building before he collapsed and died.
Sternitzky lived on nearby Monet Drive in the same development. Autopsy results showed Sternitzky had multiple drugs in his system, Carmouche said.
"Based on the autopsy report, the homeowner's statements and the facts, it is a justifiable homicide," Carmouche said.
Labels: LA, street property theft, trespassing
Londonderry, New Hampshire
From the Eagle Tribune of June 25, 2007
Murder victim shot at prowler months before he was killed
About 18 months before he was murdered, Jack Reid stepped from his home early one November morning, armed with a .357-caliber Magnum, and fired at an intruder crouching between two vehicles on his property, according to police reports.
On Nov. 8, 2003, two Londonderry police officers responded to 47 Rockingham Road, where Reid was living at the time. One used a police dog to track the prowler into the woods.
Reid told police he fired five shots at a man dressed in dark clothing, who stood up between the two vehicles and yelled "Jack!" before running into the woods. Reid said the man was hiding between a station wagon and a moving van.
State police who are investigating Reid's murder in June 2005 have made the three-year-old incident part of their investigation. On Tuesday, authorities charged John Brooks, 54, formerly of 68 High Range Road in Londonderry, and three other men with conspiring to kill Reid near 145 North Road in Deerfield, N.H.
The state attorney general's office has refused to disclose a motive for the killing, saying only police are still gathering evidence. Reid, 57, was living in a trailer in Derry at 25 Scobie Pond Road when he went missing June 27, 2005. His body was found a week later in a dump truck parked behind a Target department store in Saugus, about 40 miles from his home. The truck was one Reid used for his salvage collection business.
Londonderry police Officer Scott Balukonis and K-9 Officer John Perry wrote separate reports about the Nov. 8, 2003, incident. Those reports detail their actions in response to Reid's call to police, made around 1:06 a.m. Reid told police his dog, tied up outside his trailer, woke him up.
Zip, the police dog that responded to Reid's call, located a human scent where Reid said he spotted the man. He described the intruder to police as 5 feet 10 inches tall, wearing black clothing and a black hat. Reid said he did not recognize the prowler, even though the man had yelled his first name.
"Zip began to track strongly between the two vehicles," Perry wrote. The officer spotted fresh footprints and disturbed leaves through the woods as the police dog followed the scent.
Reid's longtime friend Paul Mackey told The Eagle-Tribune in a June 2006 interview that Reid "never got a good look at the person. He had an idea of who it could have been."
The reports make no mention of Reid telling police he suspected the identity of the prowler.
Balukonis advised Reid to lock his firearm inside the trailer prior to the officers arriving at the home. The department later cleared Reid of any wrongdoing.
Reid said he told the prowler to stop before the man stood up between the vehicles, Balukonis wrote. After the man stood, Reid told police, he started shooting.
(More)
Labels: NH, trespassing
6/16/07
Depoe Bay, Oregon
From Portland’s KPTV.com of June 16, 2007
Alleged Intruder Held At Gunpoint By Homeowner
A Depoe Bay homeowner took matters into his own hands Friday morning when he found an intruder in his house.
Lincoln County Sheriff''s deputies responded to a home on Breeze Street shortly after 1:30 a.m. Friday after the homeowner called police to report that he was holding a suspected intruder at gunpoint.
The homeowner told police he saw the man trespassing in the back yard and that the man entered his home without permission. There were three people inside the home, one of which was a small child.
Authorities took 25-year-old Justin James of Portland into custody on charges of first- and second-degree criminal trespassing.
Stewart is being held in the Lincoln County Jail on $10,000 bail.
Labels: intruder, OR, trespassing
6/14/07
Phoenix, Arizona
From the AZFamily of June 13, 2007
Homeowner confronts burglar
A man is in custody after a homeowner found a suspected burglar inside his house near 16th Street and Maryland Avenue Wednesday morning.
A neighbor became suspicious when he saw a man walking around his neighbor's property.
The neighbor called the property owner, who returned home armed with a gun. The homeowner confronted the suspected burglar, whom he let go.
Police say the homeowner did the right thing.
The homeowner was able to provide a vehicle description and the suspect was arrested in a stolen car shortly after the incident.
Labels: AZ, trespassing
