I see the other side of it. And I recognize that it's pretty hard to say "well if I was in that situation" without having actually been in that situation. But it seems to me that if you're pointing a shotgun at a dude's head and tell him to leave, he'll leave immediately, and if he's dumb enough to think twice about it, you still have the option to pull the trigger.
This was the second time in less than a week that the guy tried to gain entry to her home, and he had already escalated from asking nicely to getting a friend and a hunting knife and breaking in. Who knows what he would have done for a third attempt.
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May 19, 2010 I was home alone. Someone was trying to get in our house. I called 911 was on phone with them explaining situation and they were updating me on how far the cops were.
Our dog, Stewie started barking, the intruder was still fiddling with the door. Stewie started barking more aggressively and his hackles were up (something I've only seen that one time). Then the guy gave up and left. Cops showed up nearly right after.
What surprised me the most about the whole incident was how calm I was during it. Though, I completely broke down when the cops arrived.
I see the other side of it. And I recognize that it's pretty hard to say "well if I was in that situation" without having actually been in that situation. But it seems to me that if you're pointing a shotgun at a dude's head and tell him to leave, he'll leave immediately, and if he's dumb enough to think twice about it, you still have the option to pull the trigger.
You don't know that, she's not a trained cop or combat soldier.
For all she knows she hesitates after saying freeze, he pulls out a gun and dusts her, or makes a move for the baby.
And you don't know if this guy was on crack or crystal or whatever, most criminals aren't exactly rational, they're in for a penny in for a pound.
If he's willing to break into a woman's house with a knife or a gun or a weapon, then he's already made a decision that her life doesn't matter.
She did the exact right thing, she had a baby and she was alone and she didn't take a chance.
His life is sacrifice at that point.
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I see the other side of it. And I recognize that it's pretty hard to say "well if I was in that situation" without having actually been in that situation. But it seems to me that if you're pointing a shotgun at a dude's head and tell him to leave, he'll leave immediately, and if he's dumb enough to think twice about it, you still have the option to pull the trigger.
I get what you're saying, but you have to remember that we're looking at this with the benefit of hindsight, and more importantly the benefit of not actually being in the situation. Hypothetically it's easy to say that you could have taken a different, less lethal, route, but in the moment that's not the case.
The only thing that really bothers me about the whole thing is the apparent ease she had with doing the whole reenactment. I'd like to think that if I just gunned someone down at point blank range, justified or not, I'd have a bit of trouble picking up a gun and pretending to do it again for the benefit of a news story. That was a little bit creepy.
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Good for her in doing what is neccesary. Ive always been a firm believer in that if someone is breaking into my home, I should defend my home with whatever I feel is needed(although the law my not always agree). If it means lethal, so be it. Are my possessions and life worth more than the person who has chosen to violate my safety and home, absolutely.
I have never had someone break into my home, so cant say for sure what i would do at that moment. But, if you ask me if id have a problem shooting or taking a life in that instance, at this time, no. Thats the first thing that comes to my mind of what i would do.
Dont want to get shot, injured or killed? Dont break into peoples homes.
I get what you're saying, but you have to remember that we're looking at this with the benefit of hindsight, and more importantly the benefit of not actually being in the situation. Hypothetically it's easy to say that you could have taken a different, less lethal, route, but in the moment that's not the case.
Very true.
In any event I won't lose sleep over this dude being dead.
I've always figured that if I'm in the situation; I'd rather over-estimate (aka kill the dude) and get convicted of manslaughter and serve a couple years, than underestimate and be dead.
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Because they were typical arrogant scum bags and thought they had a helpless woman alone who was probably all teary and panicked.
Most criminals don't seem to believe that you've actually called the cops.
You could be right, but most crims I work with would take off as soon as they thought the person inside was on to them, also who takes 2o minutes to get into a house? its round to the back door and boot it in normally, something about this story doesn't add up, aint saying the world isn't better off with one less scum bag, but something about this is straight up hinkey.
I'm guessing these two robbers weren't functioning with a full tank there.
20 minutes to break in seems like an awful long time, when breaking a window and climbing through takes seconds, or breaking a window and unlocking things takes not much more.
Doing it when you know there is a gun on the other side....too wilfully blind for a normal person to get through.
My bet is that they were junkies looking to score pain meds.
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A few comments after watching the video and skimming the thread.
1 - Husband recently died of cancer, odds are oxycodone is in the house. It's not uncommon for thieves to read the obituaries, see who has "donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society" in their write up, then break in during the funeral or wake. In this case, what are the odds a single, newly widowed teenaged mother is going to be home alone on New Year's? She'll probably be with family.
2 - I wouldn't say a peep if someone was trying to break into my house, shotgun in hand or not. I'd be quiet and pray they can't get in. Why would I announce what my defenses are and give away my location in the house? While that's the logical reasoning for staying quiet, my real reason would be I'd be too scared to make a sound.
3 - At one point there was an argument about "well you can't expect me to get legal advice in that situation do you?" Which I laughed at as that's exactly what she did, called the police (well 9-1-1 if you want to be technical) and asked if she could shoot.
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You could be right, but most crims I work with would take off as soon as they thought the person inside was on to them, also who takes 2o minutes to get into a house? its round to the back door and boot it in normally, something about this story doesn't add up, aint saying the world isn't better off with one less scum bag, but something about this is straight up hinkey.
You can't give then the benefit of the doubt, or try to get into their heads and assume that they're going to act in a rational matter.
The whole freeze I have a gun thing only works in movies if someone enters the room that you're in and you're protecting a baby then you don't give them the benefit of the doubt that they're going to act rationally, and you don't make the assumption that you have the drop on him.
Not to be crude, but you eliminate the threat and secure against the next threat. And if you're going to shoot someone that's attacking you in your home, then you shoot center mass to put them down permanently.
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She acted extremely calmly and rationally under the circumstances. I'm pretty sure I would be firing the second some guy starts yelling and trying to kick my door down, especially if there's a hapless baby in the house.
