Armed Citizen True Stories — July 2017

By Duncan Mackie // 07/26/2017

South Carolina Man Defends Against Masked Invader Armed With Pistol and Rope

A well-planned mid-evening home invasion of a Monck’s Corner home went awry for the invaders but well for the homeowners. It began when the invader’s female accomplice posed as a homeowner’s association representative, complete with a fake name badge, and asked the homeowner’s wife some routine questions. The woman then signaled to her counterpart, who rushed to the door while masked and carrying a pistol and a length of rope. Seeing the masked and armed man approaching, the wife screamed for her husband while closing and locking the door. As the attacker kicked in the front door, the husband responded by firing four shots through the door at the attacker, killing him. The invader’s female confederate was later arrested. Investigators suspected the rope indicated a plan to tie up the homeowners for some nefarious reason. Police and prosecutors agreed in the decision not to charge the homeowner in the shooting, citing self-defense. The Post and Courier, Charleston, South Carolina

Pennsylvania Man Fights Off Home Invader

A Pittsburgh man heard strange noises during the night on the lower floor of his home. Arming himself with a handgun when he went to investigate, the owner was confronted by a male intruder wielding a crowbar. After a brief struggle in which he was struck in the head with the crowbar, the homeowner shot the burglar in the leg and then held him for responding police. Police and prosecutors are treating the shooting as justifiable self-defense. Breitbart.com

Washington State Gun Store Clerks Catch Car Thief

Quick thinking by two armed Lynwood gun store clerks resulted in the apprehension of a car thief. On seeing an unknown man near their store in a vehicle they knew belonged to someone else, they approached the man and asked some questions. When the answers didn’t seem right, they called for police and held the man at gunpoint for their arrival. The car was indeed stolen, and the thief will face charges of attempted vehicle theft. No one was injured in the incident. The Seattle Times, Washington

Oklahoma Son Defends Father and Home Against Trio of Burglars

A noontime burglary in Broken Arrow went awry for three teenage burglars when they encountered the son of the owner of the home after breaking in through a back door. On finding the trio inside the home, the son retrieved a rifle and fired on them, mortally wounding all three. One suspect was armed with a knife, another with brass knuckles. Authorities are describing the incident as defense of self and home, and the defender is not expected to face charges. GANTDaily.com

Tennessee Man Prevents Street Robbery

A Memphis man was in front of a grocery store when another man tried to rob him. Fearing for his life, the would-be victim drew a pistol and fired on the robber, fatally wounding him and driving him away. The victim then approached two nearby police officers and reported the incident. Police are calling the shooting self-defense. LocalMemphis.com

Armed Texas Men Stop Knifepoint Robbery

Two Tyler men, a father and son, were eating lunch in their car after church one day when they saw a man holding a man and woman at knifepoint. The father and son drew their legally carried pistols and confronted the robber, ordering him to drop his knife and get on the ground. The two armed Good Samaritans then held the suspect for police, who arrested him on robbery charges. In an interesting twist, subsequent investigation revealed the female victim to actually be a co-conspirator, having set up her male companion to be robbed. She was later arrested on charges of aggravated robbery. KLTV Channel 7, Tyler, Texas

Michigan Man Defends Sister From Stalker

After stalking and assaulting her several times over a long period, a Detroit man kicked in the front door of his ex-girlfriend’s house about 8 one morning. Fortunately for the woman, her brother was at home with her. Seeing the intruder breaking into the home, the brother took up a pistol and shot the intruder several times in the chest, killing him and ending the attack. Police are investigating the incident as self-defense. ClickOnDetroit.com

Nevada Home Invasion Goes Bad for Invaders

A Las Vegas man and woman were at home one evening when two men forced their way in, overpowered the couple and tied them up, after which the suspects demanded money. The man was able to escape his bonds and get to a pistol he kept in the house, which he used to fire on the home invaders. One criminal was killed at the scene, while the second one fled and sought medical attention for a gunshot wound and was arrested by police at the hospital. FoxNews.com

Georgia Subway Employee Stops Armed Robbery

A man walked into a Subway shop in Acworth and announced a robbery. A maintenance man in the store happened to be armed and, fearing for his life, drew his pistol and fired on the robber, hitting him in the chest and putting him to flight. Police captured the robber a short time later when he sought medical attention. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia

Louisiana Senior Citizen Stops Home Invader

An East Baton Rouge family was outside their home when a stranger approached them and asked to use their bathroom. The stranger then pulled a gun and demanded money. Becoming incensed when the family had only food stamps to offer, the stranger then scuffled with the older man of the house, who was able to retrieve a pistol in the home and shoot the robber dead. Investigators said the incident appears to be a clear case of self-defense and believe the victims were chosen at random. WBRZ Channel 2, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Armed Citizen True Stories — May/June 2017

By Duncan Mackie // 06/07/2017

Texas Jogger Defeats Armed Robber

An Arlington man was jogging when a truck pulled up beside him. A young man descended to the street and approached the jogger, displaying a gun and demanding money. Rather than comply, the jogger drew his legally carried pistol and fired on the robber, striking him several times in the groin area and putting him to flight. Police received a tip a short time later that led to the apprehension of the wounded robber, who quickly confessed. Police are investigating the incident as a robbery attempt with self-defense by the jogger, who is not expected to face charges. CBS TV Channel 11, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas

Florida Man Stops Home Invasion

Two armed men broke into a Pine Hills residence and held the older female homeowner at gunpoint. Seeing what was happening, the homeowner’s son hurriedly retrieved a pistol and fired on the burglars, killing one and seriously wounding the other, thus ending the incident. WASH Channel 2, Orlando, Florida

California Man Defends Against Granddaughter’s Boyfriend

A Redding man’s granddaughter visited his home with her boyfriend for a weekend. As the visit progressed, the boyfriend became hostile and abusive. After seeing several incidents of abuse toward his granddaughter, the older man armed himself as a precaution, then told the boyfriend he was not welcome and must leave. When the younger man attacked the grandfather rather than comply with the request to leave, the older man shot him in self-defense. Though wounded, the younger man attacked again and was shot a second time, which ended the attack. The grandfather is not expected to face charges. KRCR Channel 7, Redding, California

Michigan Man Stops Party Store Robbery

Two men attempted to rob a Roseville party store one evening. Fortunately, a friend of the owner who was armed was visiting the store at the time. Seeing one robber pointing his gun at the employees, the friend drew his own pistol and fired on the robbers, missing them but putting them to flight. clickondetroit.com, Detroit, Michigan

Georgia Liquor Clerk Wins Gun Battle With Robber

When a masked and armed man dashed into a liquor store, jumped the counter and demanded money, the quick-thinking clerk was having none of it. Drawing his legally carried pistol, the clerk fired on the robber. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, the clerk was unharmed, but the robber was struck three times and later died of his wounds. Police say the store clerk acted in self-defense. Fox Channel 5, Atlanta, Georgia

Illinois Man Defends Against Home Invader

When a Kewanee man heard someone kicking in his door on a Sunday afternoon, he took up a pistol when he went to investigate. When the man kicking on the door refused to desist and entered the home, the homeowner, fearing for his life, shot and killed the intruder. The homeowner is cooperating with police in their investigation and is not expected to face charges. Peoria Journal Star, Illinois

Texas Septuagenarian Restaurant Owner Foils Closing-Time Robbery

A Houston man was leaving his restaurant after closing one night when he was jumped by two men trying to rob him. Having been robbed before, the owner was armed with a pistol for protection, which he drew and used to fire on the robbers, hitting one in the chest and throat and putting the other to flight. The wounded robber later died in the hospital. Investigating police say the owner will not face charges. The Palm Beach Post, Florida

Maryland Man Prevents Daylight Home Invasion

A Lothian couple was at home when an unidentified man tried to break into their house. Taking up a pistol on hearing the noise, the husband tried to force the man from their home at gunpoint but had to shoot when the man lunged at him. Not dissuaded by a wound to the leg, the burglar again tried to attack the husband, whereupon the husband shot the burglar again, giving him a non-fatal head wound, which ended the incident. The Baltimore Sun, Maryland

Missouri Vet Prevails Against Much Younger Armed Robbers

A 70-year-old Vietnam veteran was stopped by the roadside to let a friend out when two young men in a vehicle stopped next to him and pulled a gun after asking for directions. Fearing for his life, the vet drew his own firearm and fired on the would-be robbers, killing one and seriously wounding the other. A police investigation determined that the two robbers were responsible for a crime spree. The police praised the veteran, who they say acted properly and responsibly. He will not be charged. KDSK Channel 5, St. Louis, Missouri

Tennessee Citizen Shoots Teen Who Was Attacking His Neighbor

A Woodbury resident noticed a young man acting erratically in his yard. When the resident went to question the youngster, the younger man became aggressive and attacked the resident with a knife. Fortunately, an armed neighbor was nearby, saw the attack and responded, shooting the attacker and ending the incident. The attacker turned out to be a 17-year-old junior at a local high school. Investigating police say the shooter acted lawfully. The Cannon Courier, Woodbury, Tennessee