Welcome to Aftermath, a portion of our First Line email newsletter where Attorney Anthony L. DeWitt walks you through a real-life self-defense incident and shares his key takeaways.
A Mississippi woman was sleeping soundly in her bed at 2:30 on a Sunday morning when she heard sounds indicating a break-in. She arose and armed herself with a pistol. Two men, wearing ski masks, entered the apartment intent on robbery … only one of them left.
The defender fired her handgun, killing the intruder. The other miscreant, on hearing the weapon discharge, wisely ran from the residence. The suspect was later identified, arrested and charged with felony murder. The resident was interviewed at the police station and released.
If you’re awakened by the sound of forced entry, what is your immediate plan? How does facing multiple intruders change your tactical decisions?
This is interesting. Does anyone know more about this story? Was the intruder who fled charged with murder because their commission of a felony led to a death? Curious about the laws in Mississippi.
No, actually that is incorrect. The sound would not be a timid little “PEW”, but more of a “KA-BOOM”, ya know? An Earth shattering “KA-BOOM”, because I will be using my HD Shotty and not my sidearm.
Grab my ammo bag? My HD Shotty already has 18 rounds in and on the weapon. 6 in the magazine, 6 on a left-side carrier, 6 in a right-side butt cuff, all #4 Buck.
My home defense plan has been picked apart on this forum many times, so I will not repost again. Suffice to say if it works, I will let you know. If it does not work, it was good knowing you.
I hope we all have a plan, and I also hope we all never have to put it to the test. I keep the highest level of security around my home that my resources allow, including motion alarms around the property so I will know if someone enters the property, and from which direction, before they even get to the house. Then, getting into the house will be extremely difficult. This is how I work to avoid needing to put my plan into action.
Funny to add, sometimes animals, like coyotes, set off my yard motion alarms. My cat knows by the sound of the alert where the intruder is, and which window to run to. He growls as he’s running to the window to see what’s in his yard, even though he hasn’t wanted to actually go out into his yard in years. He’d rather lounge on the couch and listen for intruders!
I’m sure if an intruder did make it inside the house, all you have to do is point that laser on the intruder’s face and watch your cat go to work!!! As far as charging a murder on the partner of the criminal deceased seems to be catching on by the legal system since the two committed the crime and there are consequences. That’s a good way to fight and deter crime by the legal system and start protecting citizens with self-defense inside the home-by-home break-ins.
The target hanging just inside my front door with a one-inch hole in the center with USMC sign under it does not make them change their mind then the second door that they have to get through might still at least slow them down then after that, God have mercy on their souls. I gave them warnings. Do not the bear!
I would make sure my wife is armed also, and then I would proceed to get a mop and a bucket to clean up what might be left when my Dobermans get finished. If necessary, from there I will take appropriate steps to deescalate or eliminate the threat.
If I am awakened by the sound of forced entry, the Perp/perps have defeated my ADT Alarm. the cameras. and knocked down my reinforced door with flip locks. Now they have 2 Rottweilers and 2 Chihuahuas going at them. (SERIOUSLY) In that case, I have my Sig-Sauer P-320 XTEN ENDURE-10MM on my headboard, held by 2 magnets adhesively held to the wood. My wife and I take cover in the Master Bedroom, and while 5.0 is enroute my wife watches where they are in the house. If I am able? I will engage them without them knowing I am there, and they go bye-bye. otherwise we hold our position until they come into our room, which they would. And then it gets bad for them.#1 will be DOA.#2, if he stays, will join #1. The Castle Doctrine and stand your ground are law here in SC. I had to use lethal force in March of 2018. before the ADT Security and cameras. and Rottweilers.I also carry a Glock #45-9mm around my waist/bellyband for backup.
I would do exactly what is recommended. We would lock ourselves in the bedroom, hit panic on our security system, which should already be activated and contacting the police, due to the break in. Then let them try and get through the 9 foot long “fatal funnel” into our bedroom, past 12 gage 00 buck and 135 grain Hornady Critical Duty rounds.
I am 82 yrs old, living in a fairly rural county. With few exceptions, my plan is for anyone who forcibly breaks into my home to be shot. I am in a small log cabin with weak inside doors and small rooms. I would not expect police response before a shooting to be quicker than 15 to 30 minutes (or more) and a minimum of 15 minutes after reporting a shooting.
I believe in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts her actions of shooting the intruder would result in her being arrested and charged with a variety of crimes. In Massachusetts the homeowner or potential victim has a duty to retreat. There is no ‘stand your ground’ or Castel doctrine in Massachusetts. There was no mention that the intruders were armed therefore her use of deadly force will be considered excessive. Finally, you cannot use any form of violence to protect your property in Massachusetts, even if you’re a victim of carjacking. Deadly force may only be used if the victim is in fear of losing their life or great bodily harm. (And the attacker better have some weapon to attack with) Word to potential travelers going through Massachusetts, if you keep a baseball bat in your vehicle make sure you also have a ball and glove or you’ll be charged with carrying a dangerous weapon.
It’s hard d to believe that some say freedom began here!
