Category: Self Defense

Man shot by homeowner during alleged attempted burglary dies

BUTLER COUNTY, Mo. (KFVS) – A man shot during an alleged attempted burglary has died, according to the sheriff.

At around 3 a.m. on Saturday, January 13, Sheriff Mark Dobbs said deputies responded to a home on Strawberry Lane in Qulin for a report of someone shot.

Deputies were told at the scene that an intruder tried to break into the home and the homeowner shot him five times.

The suspect, later identified as 37-year-old Darren Venneman, of Chanute, Kansas, was airlifted to a Memphis hospital.

The sheriff said Venneman died from his injuries on Tuesday morning, January 16.

He said the homeowner has not been charged because he acted in self defense.

Attempted home invasion results in one shot in Bimble, Knox County detective investigating

At approximately 7:41 pm, [Jan 13] Knox County 911 received a call of a shooting on Higgins Hollow Road in the Bimble community. Knox County Deputies responded to the scene along with Knox County EMS.

Detective Jesse Smith has determined that a male individual was attempting to gain forcible entry into a residence when he was shot by an occupant of the home.

The individual sustained non-life threatening injuries and was flown to a hospital by PHI for treatment.

This is an ongoing investigation and more information will be released once it is completed. No arrests have been made in this case yet.

Also assisting on scene were Kentucky State Police troopers.

The Carjacking Dilemma: Keep yourself safe while you’re in your car.

I’m seeing reports that carjackings are on the rise in some cities. This form of robbery depends upon the criminal acting quickly and violently before the victim realizes what is going on or has a chance to respond. Still, carjacking can be defeated if the intended victims…that’s you & me…will study the problem and develop a plan of action.

Remember, I said “quickly and violently”, so let’s give some thought to taking “quickly” out of the mix, and the best way I know to do that is to make it a habit to always have the doors locked and the windows up. We know that window glass is not as sturdy as windshield glass. A window can be busted out much more easily. However, that takes a bit of time, and it is time that we can use to respond to the attack. The key is to make it a habit to roll up the windows and make sure the doors are locked each and every time we use our vehicle.

Another thing to realize is that the vehicle itself may be the best defensive tool at your disposal. The first thought may be to stomp the gas and try to drive off. But have you thought about making the escape by putting the car in reverse? How about driving on the sidewalk? Of course, with any quick, defensive maneuver we want to make every effort to avoid hurting innocents that might be near. I often tell students, “If your car is moving, it’s a defensive tool. If it is sitting still, it’s a coffin.” What can you do with your vehicle to defeat a carjacking? Give it some thought.

If you legally carry a defensive firearm in your car…and I hope that you do…you need to give some thought to how you carry it and how easily it is to get it into action. If you carry in such a way that you have to undo your seat belt to get at it, I would suggest you find another carry method. Crossdraw, shoulder holsters, even ankle holsters, might be worth experimenting with.

In addition, it would be a good idea to practice shooting with only one hand because your other hand may be busy with the steering wheel. Also practice shooting at odd angles because an armed attacker might be shooting at you from positions other than at your driver’s-side window.

And, as always, force yourself to stay alert. If you can see it coming, you have a far better chance of avoiding he trap. If you wait until they’ve got you pinned between two cars, you may have waited too late. In heavy traffic, bad neighborhoods, or when things just don’t feel right, turn off your radio, quit talking on the phone or texting and give your surroundings your full attention.

Carjackers can be defeated and you can get it done.

BARTLESVILLE HOME INTRUDER SHOT AND KILLED

Some neighbors in Bartlesville say they were shocked to hear about a shooting that happened too close to them.

Bartlesville Police say a woman shot and killed a man who broke into her apartment.

Police say the man was 23 years old and that the woman told police she didn’t know him.

Neighbors say the thing that surprised them the most is they didn’t expect something like this to happen in broad daylight when families are getting ready for work and kids ready for school.

Bartlesville Police say a woman called 911 this morning and said someone was breaking into her apartment, then said she’d shot the intruder.

Laci Robertson lives nearby and was getting her kids ready for school. She says one of her kids had walked by just before the shooting.

“With that happening just right here, you never know when a stray bullet or something could go on,” said Robertson. “You know there’s things that happen, but you just don’t really think it’s going to happen so close to home.”

She says it’s scary to think about this kind of crime happening at such a busy time of day. “Because I think, what if in that moment, I’m getting my child out the door for school and somebody just comes right through,” said Robertson. “And in that moment, what do I do?”

Bartlesville Police say the law gives people the right to use deadly force to protect themselves inside their homes.

“It’s very unfortunate, and we’re glad no one else was hurt in the process,” said Captain Daniel Elkins with Bartlesville Police. “The homeowner felt like they had to do what was necessary, and that’s ultimately their choice.”

Robertson says she’s glad the homeowner was able to defend herself, and she hopes that other burglars will think twice about what they’re doing.

“You live in a place, and you think ‘oh, we’re safe here,”‘ said Robertson. “‘It’s fine.’ But the world is just getting more and more crazy every day.”

Bartlesville Police say they interviewed the woman and then released her.

It will be up to the District Attorney to decide whether charges will be filed.

1 person dead after shooting at business in Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY —
One person is dead after a shooting at a business in Oklahoma City, police said.

On Monday, police responded to a business on Southwest 29th Street and South Kentucky Avenue. Officials said a man came into a business with a knife and threatened to kill the owner.

Authorities said the owner pulled out a gun and shot the man with the knife.

Suspected robber shot to death in southeast Houston shootout, police say  Another suspect on the run

HOUSTON — A man was shot to death in a shootout early Saturday morning after police believe he and one other person attempted to rob a woman at gunpoint in southeast Houston.

This happened around 1 a.m. on Maxwell Lane, which is south of the Gulf Freeway near Highway 90.

The Houston Police Department said a man and a woman had just gotten back from getting food when the man went up to his apartment and the woman was about to leave in her truck. That’s when two people reportedly approached her with pistols. Police said they forced the woman out of the truck at gunpoint. The man heard the commotion from his apartment and came out with his own firearm.

Police said a shootout occurred and one of the robbery suspects was killed. The other took off running. No other injuries were reported. Witnesses stayed at the scene and were cooperating with officers, according to HPD.

Watch the update police gave at the scene:

Local business teams with NRA to present self-defense class

Local business teams with NRA to present self-defense class

No more victims.

That is the motto of Faith Sample, whose new business, She Shoots Back, is teaming up with National Rifle Association to host an event entitled “Refuse To Be A Victim.”

The self-defense class, which will be held Saturday, Jan. 13, was borne out of a desire to equip everyone with basic safety methods.

“‘Refuse To Be A Victim’ teaches methods to avoid dangerous situations and prevent criminal confrontations,” said Sample. “Seminar participants will be presented with a variety of common-sense crime prevention and personal safety strategies and devices that may be integrated into their personal, home, automobile, telephone, technological and travel safety.”

“Refuse To Be A Victim,” which has been a mainstay of self-defense prevention since 1993, focuses on basic habits and steps that can be taken to reduce being the victim of a crime.

The class will not contain or train on firearms, instead focusing on preventing situations rather than confronting them.

The class is open to both men and women, and there are sections dedicated to people of all ages, as well as parents.

Sample said that she teaches many similar techniques through She Shoots Back, which was established in 2023. “There have been times in my own life, and in the life of loved ones when either ignorance or inability has led to devastating results,” Sample said. “I have since spent many hours in training and research to be able to teach others what they can do to either prevent or deal with a victimizing situation.”

Part of learning to deal with such situations is being armed, which Sample includes as one of her many classes. “I learned how to shoot and carry a firearm after these initial experiences and after ten years have finally decided that continuing training and becoming an instructor was something I could do to make a difference,” she saId.

Sample stated that her gun classes are catered toward women in an effort to foster a comfortable environment. Some of the women she teaches come from unstable or violent backgrounds, and need a safe space to learn to protect themselves.

“Domestic violence is more prevalent than you think,” she said. “It can be fostered through generations, and it takes strong people to seek help and break such cycles. What every woman needs on hand to protect herself is, in my opinion, a determination to succeed and a listening ear to the inner voice that lets you know when something isn’t right.”

Sample, who also works as a teacher and has children of her own, said she hopes She Shoots Back will be part of solution to end cycles of violence.

“I think the most important thing we should take from this is that we should never just look the other way or accept abuse.  We should always recognize the worth of every human soul and that includes our own.  No one deserves to be a victim.”

Refuse To Be a Victim will take place at the Gene Moss Building on Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $40 and proceeds will be donated to the Saline County Safe Haven. Those who sign up by Wednesday, January 10 will receive a booklet with their training. For tickets and more information on She Shoots Back, please visit https://sheshootsback.com/nra-refuse-to-be-a-victim/.

Oakton homeowner shoots & kills intruder who struck him with stick, rock

OAKTON, Va. (7News) — Detectives with the Fairfax County Police Department spent hours at the Oakton house Thursday where they say a homeowner shot and killed an intruder Wednesday evening.

“It’s still a very, very active investigation, but preliminarily, we are investigating this as a self-defense fatal shooting,” Second Lieutenant James Curry with the Fairfax County Police Department said on the scene Wednesday night.

Police identified the man who was killed Friday as 24-year-old Eduardo Santos of Herndon. They said it’s unclear why he walked up to that particular home at about 6 p.m. Wednesday. Police do not believe the homeowner knew the man.

Police said the homeowner was outside on his property, located in the 11400 block of Waples Mill Road in Oakton, when he first encountered the man.

“When he encountered this man, there was some sort of interaction that led to an altercation,” Curry said, adding that the homeowner then went inside the home. “He retrieved a firearm from inside the home and at some point the man made entry into the home with an object that appears to be a large landscaping rock. The homeowner then fired and shot the man.”

On Friday, police shared what they believe led to the shooting.

The homeowner saw Santos on his property and asked him to leave. Santos then allegedly assaulted the homeowner with a stick. When the homeowner tried to retreat inside his home, Santos tackled him and the homeowner was injured.

The homeowner got inside his home and grabbed his gun. Santos came into the home with the large landscaping rock and lunged at the homeowner. The homeowner shot Santos.

Curry said officers responding to the scene rendered immediate medical treatment, but Santos died on the scene.

Detectives said the homeowner’s family, including two kids, were inside the home when the shooting happened. 7News obtained dispatch audio, that describes the 911 call made by the homeowner’s wife:

Caller advised her husband fired his gun and shot someone that was approaching.

Investigators said there was one other call to the police from that neighborhood, earlier in the day on Wednesday.

“There was a call for service earlier in the day, where the man was seen in the area,” Curry said. “When officers responded, he was not found at that time.”

Neighbors who described their street as typically “quiet and peaceful” said they hoped to get more information soon from the police.

“We understand the investigation is ongoing, but we really need to know more about it,” one neighbor told 7News. “We really want to know who this guy was. We want to know more details.”

That neighbor also told 7News she knows the homeowner.

“Yes, we know them. Very nice guy, a very good lady. Small kids – just a very good man,” she said. “We’re so sorry to hear this. It’s terrible.”

Police did confirm neighbors’ reports that the man who was killed knocked on the door of another nearby home prior to the deadly encounter. Neighbors said that homeowner did not know the man and did not open the door.

7News asked police whether they’ve determined if alcohol, drugs, or mental health issues are involved, but those questions have not yet been answered.

Police did respond to an initial call about Santos Wednesday. Officers found him, but there was no crime. Santos refused to speak to police and walked away from the area. When the second call happened, police didn’t find Santos.

At the scene on Wednesday, Curry said the man’s identity could help investigators “start putting some puzzle pieces together, as far as why he was in this area, why was he at this home”.

Curry reiterated that police do not believe there’s any connection between that man and the homeowner.

Police said the homeowner sustained non-life-threatening injuries during his altercation with the man. The homeowner was taken to the hospital on Wednesday but is expected to be okay.

When both Massad & Clint advise such, well……

The Primary Reason to Carry a Spare Magazine

There are several debates that endlessly rage in the firearms community, and one specific to concealed carry is whether or not to wear a spare magazine on your person when you are armed. A strong argument can be made that reloads virtually never happen in civilian self-defense, as the typical protocol seems to be people shoot until empty and then break contact. If the defender starts shooting, the criminal element most often becomes late for a different appointment. Therefore, in the vast majority of civilian defensive gun use, we don’t see reloads.

Still, this author leans towards having and not needing rather than needing and not having. I almost always carry a reload. I can confidently say that many people I know and respect who carry all the time do not carry a reload, while others do. Therefore, it is impossible to suggest the right thing to do here. The chance of needing the gun on any given day is slim, and the chance of needing to reload it in a fight is minuscule. However, concealed carriers opt to go prepared rather than just rely on statistical probabilities.

Historically, low-capacity handguns and no reloads on-person seem to have most often been all that is required to get the civilian self-defender out of trouble. This will probably continue to be the case most of the time. What about the minority of the time? With an undeniable increase in mob violence that involves multiple assailants, as well as an increase in active killer attacks, which have proven to demand distance shooting and a significant amount of rounds fired to neutralize the threat, carrying a reload makes more and more sense.

Even here, though, the most pressing reasons to carry a reload are seldom discussed. Consider the following more likely reasons that may warrant a second magazine:

The Magazine Can Go Missing
Yes, you read that correctly; a magazine can go missing. Especially during the stress and chaos of a fight. How does a magazine go missing? You inadvertently eject it out of the gun. If that happens, would you prefer to reload with the second magazine on your belt or in your pocket, or would you rather search around on the ground for the one you dropped while violence is occurring? According to my way of thinking, this is the primary reason to carry a reload.

Many will declare that they have never dropped a magazine unintentionally, so why discuss it? Those who say this have probably never shot beyond a flat range’s predictable comfort and casual atmosphere. I was at an IDPA match years ago when a competitor, who was a good shooter and an active duty cop, accidentally ejected his magazine from his Smith and Wesson M&P twice during a single stage. After the stage, he told me that he had fired thousands of rounds through that gun, and that had never happened before. I asked him how many matches he shot with the gun, to which he replied that this was his first. Thus, even the stress and faster pace of a match induced malfunctions that this shooter never before experienced. Do you suppose that in the stress of a fight, you might do something differently compared to what you have done only at the range?

Beyond just the always-present possibility of dumping the magazine due to stress-induced mishandling of the gun, environmental factors can come into play. I know of an instance in which a police officer experienced the base plate of the magazine in the gun getting ripped off by the seatbelt as he hastily exited the vehicle. This is less likely to happen to a gun under concealment, but there are other factors as well. I have seen people draw their guns at the range, and the magazine immediately hit the ground because it became unseated while in the holster because the release button got bumped. It can happen.

Contact Distance Fighting
Anyone who has done force-on-force training fighting with simmunitions guns knows how easily they can malfunction when in a contact distance fight. Admittedly, sims guns malfunction more easily than real guns of a quality make. Still, the magazine is often ejected during a struggle. In a real contact distance fight, this is of high likelihood. If you are in a fight and break free of the attacker, you now may be holding a gun with only a single round in it, if not empty. Being able to reload from the belt or pocket is a much better solution than searching around on the ground for a dropped magazine.

While a gun with no reload on body will likely do what is needed if you face violence, a reload may make all the difference, should the unlikely event become even more unlikely. Like the gun itself, the reload is something to have and not need rather than need and not have.

Indy homeowner says he fought off intruder, killed him with his own gun

INDIANAPOLIS — One man is dead following an attempted home invasion on Indy’s east side.

Today the homeowner who killed the suspect spoke out about the shooting a short time after he was released without charges.

The front of his home and car were riddled with bullets after the homeowner said he killed an intruder and then exchanged gunfire with additional suspects outside. That homeowner insists he had no choice but to defend his life.

Just before 7 p.m. Tuesday night, police were called to a neighborhood near 38th and Post after a homeowner reported a masked man forced his way into the home during an attempted robbery.

“He smacked me in the head with a gun and told me I knew what it was and then I yelled out he’s trying to rob me,” said Brent Smith.

During that struggle, Smith admits he shot the intruder with the suspect’s own gun.

Damon Swanigan Junior, 22, died on the front step of the home, which was then hit by a barrage of bullets from outside. That gunfire damaged the siding, the front door and shattered the windows of a car parked in the street.

“When the gun went off I heard thousands of gunshots,” said Smith. “It was a lot of gunfire man, a lot of gunfire.”

Smith said during that shootout, he grabbed his own gun and returned fire before the suspects in the street drove away leaving behind a pile of broken car glass.

“I didn’t even think them or me. I was just basically trying to survive myself man,” said Smith.

Police questioned Smith overnight, but because the law allows people to defend themselves and their home with deadly force, he was released pending further investigation.

The next morning Smith remained emotional thinking about the life he had taken.

“That doesn’t make no sense man. I didn’t want to do that,” said Smith. “I don’t know his intention, but I didn’t want to be shot. That’s just all there is to it.”

Police did not have any information on the suspects who may have fled the scene.

Ohio sees drop in gun crimes across major cities after permitless carry law, study shows

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Contrary to concerns from some local leaders, a new study shows a decrease in gun crimes across six of Ohio’s eight largest cities following the implementation of the state’s “constitutional carry” law.

The research, conducted by the Center for Justice Research (CJR) in partnership with Bowling Green State University, analyzed data from June 2021 to June 2023, covering a year before and after the law went into effect in June 2022.

It focused on crimes involving firearms, verified gunshot-detection alerts, and the number of officers struck by gunfire.

The findings revealed:

  • Overall Decline: Across all eight cities, the rate of gun crimes decreased.
  • Significant Drops: Parma experienced the most significant decline (22%), followed by Akron and Toledo (both 18%).
  • Mixed Trends: Dayton and Cincinnati saw increases in gun crime rates (6% and 5%, respectively).

“This is not to downplay the very real problem of gun violence in our cities,” noted Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who commissioned the study. “But the key takeaway here is that we need to focus on criminals, not responsible gun owners.”

He acknowledged concerns expressed by several mayors before the study, stating, “I genuinely did not know what the study would find. I thought it would be useful either way.”

CJR Director Melissa Burek, a Doctor of Criminal Justice, led the research.

She emphasized the importance of examining the impact of policy changes: “This study helps us understand the complex picture of crime rates and policy implementation. It’s valuable data for informing future decisions.”

The findings add to the ongoing debate surrounding permitless carry laws, challenging concerns that such laws would lead to a surge in gun violence.

While proponents highlight responsible gun ownership and increased self-defense, critics argue it removes valuable safety measures like background checks and training.

Further research and analysis are needed to fully understand the long-term implications of Ohio’s permitless carry law and its impact on various factors influencing crime rates.

The adrenaline dump from such an incident can be very dangerous. For anyone over 50, the advice to go to the ER and get yourself checked out is good advice.

Homeowner fires shots at intruder during burglary in Kiski Township
Homeowner was later hospitalized for a medical issue

KISKIMINETAS TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
Police said a homeowner fired gunshots at an intruder during a burglary in Kiski Township, Armstrong County.

The incident happened a little after 8 p.m. Tuesday on the 1400 block of Ridge Road.

Police said no one was hit by the gunfire and no suspects have been identified.

Police also said the homeowner suffered a medical issue in the incident and was taken to a local hospital.

That homeowner’s condition is not yet known.

Veeeery lucky. While that last shot was quite problematic, from the crim being a long time loser, and even out on parole, the prosecutor likely decided the shooter did the city a favor and talked the GJ into a ‘No Bill’.

Continued Massacres of Christians in Nigeria Ensured by Citizen Disarmament

“A never-ending massacre of Christians being ‘killed for sport’ is reportedly happening in Nigeria, yet the world appears to be largely deaf to the matter,” Fox News reported Saturday. “More than 52,000 Christians ‘have been butchered or hacked to death for being Christians’ since 2009 in Nigeria, according to Intersociety, a civil society group based in Onitsha.”

“Christians are killed for sport, especially Christian children,” Rev. Johnnie Moore, a former commissioner for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, and president of the Congress of Christian Leaders told Fox. “Entire villages are burnt and pillaged. Thousands of churches have been destroyed. Children and women are hunted.

Continue reading “”

Improve Your Shooting: The 50-Round Skill Sustainment Course of Fire

In case you didn’t already know it, if you don’t continue to shoot over time, you will slowly lose your shooting skills. Ammunition is more reasonable that it was a couple of years ago, but you still want to make the most of your training dome and dollars. How do you maintain your skill set without burning through a lot of ammunition? Simple: take your time and make every shot a count.

Dry fire practice at home is a great way to keep your skills sharp. If you add a Mantis X training system, that’s even better. Travis Pike gave the Mantis five stars and Jeremy gave it four. Yes, it runs over $200 or about the price of 250 rounds of 9mm ammo. I haven’t formally reviewed my own personally-owned unit, in part because I haven’t used it as much as I’d like yet. At the same time I’ve used it enough that I strongly recommend it for new and experienced shooters alike.

Even at that, though, no matter how much dry fire and Mantis X practice you complete, everyone needs real, live-fire handgun practice.

Here’s a suggested fifty-round course of fire to maintain keep the skill sets you’ve acquired through past training and practice sharp. You should use something small, like a 3×5 index card or a 3″ circle at three to five yards.

Remember, aim small miss small. If you keep all fifty rounds on the target, move back to ten or fifteen yards and repeat (if you have enough gun food). Continue reading “”

Man shot by resident after breaking into southwest Atlanta home

ATLANTA — A man is in the hospital after officials say he was shot while trying to break into a southwest Atlanta home.

Atlanta police told Channel 2 Action News on Sunday at 3:13 a.m. officers received reports of a person shot at a home on Richardson Street SW.

When officers arrived, they located a man who had been shot in the chest. He was taken to the hospital, where he is in critical condition.

The victim’s identity has not been released.

According to the investigation, the man was breaking into the home at that location when the homeowner shot him.

A Home Invasion That Failed: And it failed because the invadees had done their homework beforehand.

Here is a story that was recently shared with me. Dave and Susie (not their real names) were watching television in a room just off the main hallway near their front door. Suddenly, they heard a noise as if someone was trying to kick in their heavy wood front door accompanied with the shouts of “Police Officers…Open Up!”  At the same time, from the same direction, they could hear other people laughing. Feeling certain that this was a home invasion, Dave and Susie went into action.

First, they shoved the heavy couch they had been sitting on over to block the closed door of their room. Dave took a 9mm pistol (I don’t know what kind) off the side table and got next to a large wooden bookcase that gave him some cover and allowed him to keep an eye on the door. Susie got in a far corner, behind a heavy chair and began to call 9-1-1 on her cell phone. Neither one of them said a word, instead using hand signals to communicate.

Shortly after that, the criminals got the front door open and started down the hall. One of them tried the door to the TV room and, when he felt that it was blocked, gave it a shove, moving the couch slightly and allowing him to open the door about a foot. Dave said he could clearly see that the intruder was not a police officer and could also see that the thug had a pistol in his hand. Dave fired two shots and saw the thug drop the gun and collapse. They then heard sounds that indicated that the others had run back out the front door.

Dave and Susie then held their positions until the 9-1-1 dispatcher told Susie that a uniformed officer was at the front door. At which time, Dave put is pistol down on a table and the couple spoke up to the officer and moved the couch away from the door.

A short time later, two crooks in a stolen car were arrested nearby. It is thought that they were the partners to the deceased home invader.

I like the way Dave and Susie handled this attack. It appears that they must have discussed home invasions and developed a plan. Not responding verbally to the home invaders kept the crooks wondering where their victims might actually be located. And blocking the door with the couch caused their attacker to focus on that chore instead of keeping his full attention focused on looking for victims. Susie gets points for maintaining an open line of communications with the 9-1-1 dispatcher. And Dave was also very smart to put his gun down and meet the police officer with empty hands. Latest reports are that police investigators see no legal problems for Dave & Susie and, in addition, a series of other home invasions may be cleared by this shooting and the subsequent arrests.

Have a plan…keep your wits about you…and don’t give up.

Suspected teenage home invader shot, critically injured in Lake County

MASCOTTE, Fla. —
A 16-year-old was shot and critically injured during a home invasion, Mascotte police say.

Police say the teen who was shot may have tried to break into at least two homes.

According to officials, Mascotte officers responded to an in-progress home invasion at Pine Needle Drive just after 6 a.m. on Dec. 28. There, they located a teenage male suspect who was shot by the homeowner.

The suspect was treated by Lake County EMS before being transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Officials say he is listed in critical condition.

According to officers, nobody in the home was injured and they are cooperating in the investigation, so they won’t be facing any charges.

Officers believe the suspect may be linked to an earlier call of a young man attempting to break into another residence in that area. This is an ongoing investigation.

WOULD-BE CARJACKER SHOT, KILLED IN APPARENT CASE OF SELF-DEFENSE

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A man is dead after being shot multiple times in Philadelphia’s Pennsport section early Tuesday morning.

Police responded to the 1400 block of S. Front Street around 5 a.m.

When they arrived, they found a man between 18 and 22 years old with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to police, the deceased was one of two individuals who attempted to carjack a 38-year-old man in the former United Artist Theater parking lot.

The victim pulled a weapon and shot one of the would-be carjackers in what police say looks like a case of self-defense.

The shooter did remain at the scene, was briefly detained, and then later released by investigators.

In a surveillance video viewed by Action News, you can see a person run from the direction of the parking lot and then collapse by a utility pole moments later.

About five minutes later, someone approaches the body to seemingly check on the person.

Neighbors who live nearby said they heard what sounded like gunshots during this time.

The noise was so loud that Zion Aregahegn said it woke her out of her sleep.

“I heard a loud boom or a bang kind of sound,” Aregahegn said. “A few seconds later, I heard someone shout. I couldn’t tell what they were saying. It was just-someone shouted.”

Aregahegn said she generally felt safe in the neighborhood but had some recent concerns about activity under the I-95 overpass. She said it was a place where people often parked and used drugs.

She’s called the police in the past but said she got little to no help.

“A lot of people pull up under here to fix their cars and I’ve seen people passed out doing drugs under there,” Aregahegn recalled.

Jordan Lewis, who lives up the street from where the incident happened, said she often passes the area on her morning run.

She said she had noticed people doing drugs under the overpass but never saw or heard of any violence breaking out there.

“Usually, it’s kind of quiet. I run on the trail along the water and there’s a lot of homeless people but they never really bother me or anything like that,” she said.

Lewis said she always tries to be aware of her surroundings but this incident heightened her instincts to be on the lookout even more.

No other details have been released at this time and police are investigating this incident.