Category: Self Defense

Think Fast: Your reaction to a violent encounter might depend on your ability to out-think your opponent.

A young police patrolman of my acquaintance was checking his buildings while on late-night patrol. One of those businesses was an auto parts store that was in a stand-alone building. As the officer eased up in front of the dark building, he clearly saw someone inside the store. Late at night… no lights on… most probably a burglar. But, the building had a front door and a back door so the officer was in a quandary as to what to do until his backup arrived.

This young officer merely turned on his siren and all of the lights on the squad car and drove in tight, fast circles around the building until backup arrived. At which point two burglars were arrested inside the building without incident. One of them later told investigators that he wasn’t about to come out with that maniac out there trying to play like a race-car driver.

In another case, in another city, a man was accosted by a robber, armed with a large knife, who demanded his wallet. Appearing to be nervous and scared, the gentleman fished for his wallet with his left hand that was shaking so bad that the wallet hit the pavement about three feet from him. The robber’s eyes followed the falling wallet for just an instant and when he looked back at the victim, he was looking down the barrel of a .45 semi-automatic.

This citizen had planned for just such an encounter possibly happening. He purposely carried his wallet where it was accessible to his support hand and practiced the nervous routine. It gave him that split second to turn the tables.

It is a simple fact of human nature that some of us can think faster than others. But we can all work to improve our ability to successfully respond to a surprise encounter with criminals. Part of it is to realistically imagine the things that could happen and work up a variety of realistic responses. You need several ideas because this is definitely not a “one-size-fits-all” kind of deal. For example, a face-to-face encounter might be handled one way while the same situation with the criminal approaching from behind can change the whole thing.

Another excellent way to improve our ability to successfully respond is to take force-on-force classes using the little paint cartridges called Simunitions or other similar marking cartridges. These are much different than an afternoon spent playing with paintball guns and a group of friends. Proper force-on-force classes are carefully scripted. The only thing is that everyone knows the script except you, the victim, sorta like real life in that regard. Equally important is the fact that you, the victim, are debriefed after each scenario. An instructor talks with you about what you did right and what you could have done better.

The idea is to improve your ability to think fast and apply good solutions to the problem. In doing so, you have the best chance of taking control of the situation away from your attacker.

Jewish camp leaders challenge carry law due to anti-semitism.

If you’re part of a group that may well be targeted by someone simply because you’re part of that group, it’s probably a good idea to take steps to protect yourself.

Anti-semitism, homophobia, racism, and so many other forms of hatred are, unfortunately, real and if you’re someone who is concerned about any of those, it makes sense to arm yourself and to carry a firearm everywhere you can.

In New York, though, the people who run a camp for Jewish kids are challenging the state’s carry laws because it makes it impossible for them to protect the kids.

The CEO of Kars4Kids, a Jewish charity with a catchy advertising jingle, is challenging New York state’s concealed carry law in court — claiming that it leaves children vulnerable to antisemitic attacks.

Eliohu Mintz, who heads Kars4Kids, is also the CEO of Oorah, a Jewish outreach nonprofit funded by Kars4Kids that runs a summer camp in upstate New York. In a federal lawsuit filed Friday, Mintz and a camp administrator, Eric Schwartz, say the law exposes the camp to antisemitic attack because it bans private citizens from carrying guns in places where religious activities are conducted.

“The violent attacks on Jewish people targeting places of worship and places where children are — the most vulnerable of the population — are random and provide the victims with no notice or advance warning,” Mintz said in a declaration attached to the lawsuit. “I cannot be left unprepared and unarmed in the event that an evildoer decides to attack one or both of the [camp’s] campuses nor can the other licensed staff members.”

Now, there’s a provision that amended the law in question that allows for armed security personnel at places of worship. The problem?

“The plaintiffs are staffers who have carried for personal protection and want to continue carrying,” Amy Bellatoni, the attorney for Mintz and Schwartz, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “They are not designated security personnel and, therefore, not part of the exemption.”

And therein lies the problem.

Obviously, I side with Mintz and Schwartz here. The carry law was written to include as much of the state of New York as possible and removes any possibility of a so-called sensitive location to decide for itself whether it allows firearms or not. New York decided and a lot of people are paying the price.

And anti-semitism is very real and isn’t likely to go away. Those who want to harm Jews aren’t going to be deterred by the idea that these places of worship are gun-free zones, either. I mean, if the laws against murder aren’t going to deter them, a Ghostbuster-like side with a gun in the center instead isn’t likely to do anything either.

So it’s my heartfelt desire to see this change. The people of New York deserve better than they’re getting from their so-called leadership. Concerns of racism or anti-semitism or anything else like that should be taken seriously and people should be empowered by the constitutionally protected rights granted them by being human beings to combat them, with words when appropriate and with bullets when their lives are threatened.

As I heard it explained many years ago; ‘Fast with a gun’ didn’t mean the “quickdraw” that western movies, TV & some artists have made famous. It meant the man was fast -as highlighted below – in deciding that he would draw and shoot and then not hesitate in doing so.

Lessons on Gunfighting from Wyatt Earp.

Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp (March 19, 1848 – January 13, 1929) was an American Old West gambler, a deputy sheriff in Pima County, and deputy town marshal in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, who took part in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, during which lawmen killed three outlaw cowboys.

Here is an interview that Wyatt Earp shares on “gunfighting“. This was dated back in the 1910 he offered to give an interview about his thoughts on using a gun. In his own words, Wyatt is going to explain how he became one of the most feared and accurate gunslingers… even if he was about the slowest.
The interview was originally posted on primaryandsecondary.com forum.

The most important lesson I learned from those proficient gunfighters was the winner of a gunplay usually was the man who took his time. The second was that, if I hoped to live long on the frontier, I would shun flashy trick-shooting—grandstand play—as I would poison.

Continue reading “”

Homeowner shoots rooftop burglar in Lincoln Park

CHICAGO — A Lincoln Park resident shot and critically injured a burglar who tried to break into their home from the roof on Thursday night, Chicago police said. It’s at least the second time this week that would-be crime victims have shot suspected offenders on the North Side.

Police were initially called to the 2200 blocks of North Clybourn and Janssen to handle reports of a suspicious person on rooftops around 10:28 p.m. But no CPD units were assigned for nearly 20 minutes, even though one homeowner called 911 three times to report the situation, according to dispatch records.

Around 11 o’clock, just a couple of minutes after the call was finally assigned, 911 callers reported shots fired and a person shot on the block.

Cops arrived to find a woman shot on the roof of a home in the 2200 block of North Clybourn, according to a CPD media statement. A man who lives in the house, a concealed carry license holder, shot her to keep her from entering his residence, police said.

The woman received gunshot wounds to her chest and wrists. She’s at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in good condition, according to police.

Officers at the scene said it appeared that she entered the property through a nearby construction site and used rope to get onto the roof. Cops found a bag containing hypodermic needles and possible heroin at the scene.

The burglar is the seventh person shot in Lincoln Park this year. Five of those victims were shot during a single incident near the Lincoln Park Zoo last month.

The neighborhood had four shooting victims in total in 2022. There were four shooting victims at this point in 2021; three as of July 4, 2020; and six at this point in 2019.

The 2019 victims were shot in just two incidents: a double shooting in the 100 block of West North Avenue and a quadruple shooting on the lakefront at Fullerton.

On Wednesday morning, a concealed carry holder shot a man who tried to rob him at gunpoint in West Ridge, according to CPD.

The victim, 26, and two male companions were outside a car in the 2600 block of West Devon when the robber walked up and announced a robbery at 3:33 a.m. But the concealed carry holder fired shots at the masked man, striking him in the chest and grazing his head, police said.

After being shot, the man ran into a nearby alley. Police found him in the 2600 block of West Rosemont and brought EMS to treat his injuries. He was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston in critical condition. Officers said they found a handgun in a trash can near the injured man.

Two would-be robbers were killed in an attempted jugging Friday

Two men are dead after police say an attempted jugging went wrong Friday near South Park Mall. [in San Antonio]

Police Chief William McManus said the target, a man in his 20s, was withdrawing money at a drive-through Chase ATM at about noon at 2310 Southwest Military Drive.

The man saw the two suspects approaching him, one on foot and the other in a sedan.

He pulled out a handgun and shot both of them, killing them.

The chief declined to say what the suspects told the man in the moments leading up to the robbery. Asked whether weapons were found on the suspected robbers, McManus said, “We’re still looking at that.”

The chief said it appeared to be a “jugging” case, in which thieves target someone known to be withdrawing a large sum of money.

“It’s been a trend throughout the country right now,” the chief said. “We believe at this point — and this could change — that this is a jugging incident.”

McManus said detectives are interviewing the man involved Friday afternoon.

As for criminal charges, the chief said that’s “not what I’m looking at right now.”

“There’s no continuing danger to anyone in the area,” he said. “It was a robbery that didn’t go well for the robbers.”

Home intruder shot, killed in North Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A home intruder was shot and killed in North Las Vegas Tuesday afternoon, according to police.

On July 4 around 1 p.m., officers received a call saying a home intruder was shot in the 600 block of Sand Sage Avenue near Carey Avenue and Revere Street. When officers arrived they found the intruder dead, police said.

After the preliminary investigation, police determined that the man, who the residents did not know, entered the house through the front door.

This is an ongoing investigation, no further details are available at this time.

Robbery suspect shot by concealed carry holder on North Side

CHICAGO — A robbery suspect was shot early Wednesday morning in West Ridge by a concealed carry holder.

Just after 3:30 a.m., police said three men, ages 26, 33 and 31 were standing near their vehicle when they were approached by a man displaying a gun.

The man demanded the men’s property. At some point, the 26-year-old man, who has a concealed carry licenses, shot the robbery suspect multiple times.

The man was transported to St. Francis in critical condition.

Woman critical after being shot while in passenger seat on North Side
No other injuries were reported.

Vacationer in rental home shoots intruder

SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (SNN TV) July 2, 2023 – A shooting early Sunday morning in the Gulf Gate neighborhood of Sarasota seems to have been in self-defense during a break-in.

The shooting took place about 2:15 Sunday morning when a family on vacation was awakened in their rental home by what appeared to be someone in the enclosed lanai breaking into the house in the 6500 block of Colonial Drive in Sarasota County.

One of the victims felt threatened and shot the suspect.

The suspect is still alive at SMH but in critical condition.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office investigation is ongoing.

 

Defending Your Vehicle: From carjackings to aggressive drivers to violent demonstrations, it’s not all that safe on our streets right now.

A man’s home is his castle, or so the saying goes, but these days, we also tend to look at our cars, trucks or vans as a castle as well. They’re our refuge in the stormy maelstrom of traffic. They provide us with soothing music from the stereo and cool breezes from the air conditioning vents. However, just because our vehicles are comfortable, it doesn’t mean they’re invulnerable, and that’s why something like the Vehicle Defense Class from Go Noisy USA starts to make a lot of sense.

Neil Davis, Go Noisy’s chief instructor, is a veteran with years of service in British Intelligence in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and a number of other locations, working primarily undercover in some of the hottest of the world’s hotspots. These actions required him to work primarily from “civilian” vehicles like passenger cars and trucks, so unlike other vehicle skills classes tailored to law enforcement, Neil’s classes have “real world” application for the armed citizen, as the needs of a teacher driving to work vary from the needs of an Uber driver who regularly has strangers in the car or a law enforcement officer at a traffic stop. The class was four hours in the classroom and four hours on the range and covered three different scenarios:

  • Carjacking
  • Aggressive Motorists
  • Violent Demonstrations

Carjackings

Carjackings, according to Davis come in two different flavors: Opportunistic carjackings, where the crooks are looking for any old car in a storm, and planned or targeted attacks, where the goal is to relieve someone of their expensive car.

shooting from the car

Shooting through your door? Bad idea. Move your pistol up a little higher.

 

For the armed citizen, an opportunistic carjacking will most likely be a “wrong place, wrong time scenario,” something we can help avoid by not being in the wrong places at wrong times. Targeted carjackings, on the hand, are meticulously planned, with copious prior surveillance so the crooks know exactly when and where they are going to strike.

Which brings up an important point. Crooks choose victims based on how they look and act, so anything you can do to deselect yourself as a victim is probably a good thing. One way to do that is what Davis called the “soak.” Simply put, when you arrive at a new location, take a few seconds and “soak in” the environment. Where are the other cars parked? Is there anyone just standing around? If so, how many, and where are they standing? Who is coming and going from your destination, and what do they look like? Taking a few moments to observe your surroundings like this gives you a baseline of what “normal” looks like and allows you to quickly spot what’s changed when you come back out of your destination, helping you spot potential trouble before it becomes a real problem.

Aggressive Motorists

Angry attacks on the road, Davis says, generally aren’t caused by traffic jams by themselves. Rather, traffic is the spark that sets off an emotional reaction to pre-existing frustration, such as a bad day at the work or a previous incident on the road. Because these kinds of incidents are escalations of other events, being able de-escalate the event is critical, as is not escalating things even more.

Getting out of dodge and putting distance between you and your attacker is the fastest and easiest way to avoid becoming a victim of an incident that has the potential for violence, as is knowing your state’s use of force laws so you can respond in an appropriate way if violence cannot be avoided or de-escalated.

Violent Demonstrations

Here’s where things get really tricky. A mob blocking a road can turn ugly and violent in the blink of an eye, and that can change your response just as quickly. It’s one thing to be stuck in traffic surrounded by a crowd of angry, shouting people, and it’s another thing to have Molotov cocktails thrown at the car next to you and a brick come through your windshield.

Your options for what you should do if you’re alone are radically different than if you have people in your car. This is dependent on the situation, of course. If you can use your vehicle to exit the area, make great haste to do so. However, if you can’t get away (which is the optimal solution) because your vehicle has been disabled or blocked in by immovable objects and it’s clearly a situation where things have gotten out of control, staying in your car means staying in one place, making yourself an easy target. If you’re alone and have to use a firearm, Davis recommends exiting the car to engage an attacker as soon as things turn to lethal force because of the shorter draw time when standing and the wider range of options available to you.

However, if there are others in your vehicle and you can’t leave, he recommends having the unarmed passengers assume the “crash position” found on airliner safety cards into order to give themselves a smaller, more defensible position. Either way, the instability of a riot means you’ve got to have a flexible plan. A one-note response of going to lethal force as quickly as possible is probably going to get you and those in your car in a lot of trouble. We are not in control of the people outside our vehicle, and that’s where the problems can happen.

Staying safe when you’re away from home is a complex task that pushes all our self-defense skills to their limits. However, a calm, clear mind and having the tools and ability to respond quickly and appropriately can help us come out on top when everything has gone south.

Argument over yard work ends in Tulsa shooting death

A homeowner, who police believe was accosted by a neighbor Sunday over yard work, shot [and] killed the aggressor, the Tulsa Police Department said.

Officers were called to the 1200 block of N. Toledo Avenue around 10:30 a.m. about a shooting. Officers arrived to find Blake Williams dead in the back yard of the residence.

Through the investigation and numerous interviews with witnesses and neighbors, officers learned the incident began with the homeowner doing yard work in the front yard. Williams approached him and became aggressive.

According to police, the homeowner asked Williams to leave several times. Williams eventually cornered the homeowner in the garage, began attacking him and cutting him with lawn trimming shears, and a physical fight ensued, TPD said.

At one point, the homeowner managed to get away from Williams, retrieved his gun, and again tried to get Blake Williams to leave, police said. Williams started walking away, then turned and ran at the homeowner, who shot Williams.

Williams died on the scene. TPD detectives questioned the homeowner and he is not under arrest at this time. His identity was not released by police.

Suspected home intruder shot by Colorado Springs resident, dies

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – A home invasion turned shooting is under investigation.

Around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, the Colorado Springs Police Department responded to a burglary on Nebula Court, in the Bear Creek neighborhood. The homeowner told police that an unknown man entered his home. Police say the homeowner then shot the person, who fled the home.

The shot person, who has not yet been publicly identified, was later found by officers. He was taken to the hospital where he died.

The homicide unit is now investigating this death. We will update this article as we learn more.

Victim shoots attacker in self-defense

A man is now facing charges in connection with a violent domestic incident in Somers.
State police responded to a home on Summit Circle back on June 13.
They say they found a man who had been shot in the arm and a resident suffering from head trauma.
Both were taken to Westchester Medical Center.
An investigation determined 66-year-old Raymond Lauda had forcibly entered the residence and assaulted the victim.
The victim then fired a rifle in self-defense.
Laudo is charged with burglary, assault, strangulation, criminal possession of a weapon and menacing.
He was released on $25,000.

Residents shoot back at home intruders during robbery attempt in Seattle

SEATTLE — Seattle police say the victims of a home-invasion robbery turned the table on the suspects during an exchange of gunfire Monday morning.

According to police, the robbery happened around 3:30 a.m. near 5500 23rd Ave South in the Beacon Hill neighborhood.

“The suspects were met by the residents who were armed and exchanged gunfire. The suspects were gone by time officers arrived and were not located,” Seattle police wrote in a watch log.

Approximately 15 minutes after the home invasion robbery was reported, a person with multiple gunshot wounds was dropped off at Swedish First Hill hospital. The victim was taken to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition and did not provide information to police about how they were shot.

Seattle police told KOMO News on Tuesday that it has not been determined if the person who was shot was connected to the home-invasion robbery.

Slugs Slices for Thugs.
And make sure your primary defensive gun actually works

Burglary Suspect Stabbed with Sword After Attacking Homeowner with Pitchfork

On Sunday, a male suspect was stabbed by a samurai sword when he burglarized a residence in the North Beacon Hill neighborhood.

Police responded to a residential burglary in the 2100 block of Beacon Avenue South around 1:30 p.m. Officers located and detained two men one with a sword with visible minor injuries and another with a stab wound to his torso.

During the investigation, officers discovered a man had entered the victims’ residence while they were gone. The 71-year-old male victim noticed items were misplaced and a kitchen window had been shattered once he re-entered his home.

As he walked further into his home, he found a man standing in his living room. A struggle quickly ensued between the two men. At one point, the suspect held the victim to the floor as he attempted to stab him with a pitchfork. The victim was able to escape and retreat to his bedroom where he retrieved a firearm. The suspect followed him and wrestled with him as he tried to take the gun.

The victim attempted to shoot the suspect, but the firearm jammed. When the firearm malfunctioned, the victim picked up his samurai sword and stabbed the suspect. The 61-year-old female victim witnessed the physical altercation in the bedroom and tried to pull the suspect off the male victim. After the stabbing, the suspect ran outside to a nearby residence where he was later detained by officers.

Police provided medical care until Seattle Fire arrived and took over medical treatment to those injured. The male victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries to his face and torso from the altercation. The 61-year-old male suspect was transported to Harborview Medical Center for further medical attention for his non-life-threatening stab wound.

The suspect was arrested for burglary and will be booked into King County Jail after being medically cleared.

Long Beach homeowner fatally shoots woman attacking neighbor

A Long Beach homeowner fatally shot a woman who was harassing his neighborhood early Saturday morning.

According to Long Beach Police Department, neighbors say that the woman was following people home and pounding on front doors and windows in the early morning, just after midnight, before she attacked a woman.

The shooting happened minutes before 1 a.m. in the 600 block of Roycroft Avenue, police said, when a man shot a woman in the head.

“Through their preliminary investigation, including statements provided from witnesses, detectives learned a male adult observed a female adult attacking another woman,” said Long Beach Police Department spokesperson Alyssa Baeza. “The female victim was calling for help and the man armed himself with a handgun.”

Investigators believe that the man was armed prior to the altercation due to the “prior suspicious activity in front of his residence.”

The deceased woman, who has been identified as 44-year-old East Long Beach resident Andrew Powell, was fatally shot as she was charging towards the armed homeowner, police said.

“He was trying to protect himself and the other neighbors as well,” said one resident Eileen Gelso, who says that Powell was banging on doors over and over demanding money. “She was definitely dangerous. I believe that.”

The homeowner was detained and officers recovered his handgun from the scene, but after gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses, he was released.

Grieving family members, who say they plan to pursue legal action against the homeowner, say that Powell was undergoing a mental crisis at the time of the incident, and that the use of force was extremely unnecessary.

“This case will be presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office,” police said.

Man called ‘hero’ for stopping shooter at Turnberry Towers Friday

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A resident at Turnberry Towers near Karen and Paradise is calling a building employee a hero after a gunman walked in and fired shots at the front desk on Friday.

Channel 13 spoke with the resident to get their story. Law enforcement has not confirmed the following details.

According to the resident, a man wearing a helmet had an AR-15 and other weapons when he entered the towers Friday afternoon.

This is when the resident tells us the man fired shots in the area of the front desk, shattering glass which is shown in pictures they have provided to us.

The resident says it was an employee of the towers who stopped the attack, and thinks they are a hero who deserves recognition for stepping in.

Channel 13 is working to confirm details surrounding the employee’s identity and their role in the events of June 23.

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast

Texas woman shoots, kills home intruder

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — A homeowner shot and killed a man who broke into her house, according to Amarillo, Texas police.

Around 5:30 a.m. Thursday, police responded to a residential burglary on N. Adams St.

When officers arrived, they found the body of 53-year-old Cedric Milligan. The woman who shot him said Milligan broke into her home.

According to police, he forced his way inside through the back door which was locked. She grabbed a gun and shot him.

Louisville police say man fatally shot while trying to carjack undercover police officers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A man was shot and killed by a Louisville Metro Police officer Monday afternoon after police said he tried to carjack two undercover officers in Louisville’s Portland neighborhood. But the man’s father is pushing back on what police say led up to his son’s death.

According to Interim Police Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel, the incident took place just after 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of Griffiths Avenue and North 22nd Street.

Gwinn-Villaroel said two undercover officers with LMPD’s Fugitive Unit were inside a vehicle attempting to apprehend a suspect in an unrelated investigation when their vehicle was approached by a man in his 20s.

According to Gwinn-Villaroel, the man had a gun and attempted to carjack the officers.

One of the officers — a 10-year veteran of the department — shot the man with his service weapon.

The officers immediately tried to render medical aid, according to Gwinn-Villaroel, but the suspect died as a result of his injuries. Neither of the officers were injured.

Hours after the shooting, a man named Mark Jaggers reached out to WDRB News. He said his son, Mark Jaggers Jr., wasn’t trying to carjack anyone and that he thought the car was dumped off near their Portland home and wanted to take it for a joyride. When he opened the door, two undercover officers were inside.

“That car was sitting here for three hours,” said Jaggers. “My son thought it was a stolen car.”

Jaggers said he watched video from a neighbor’s security camera after the shooting. He said the alley where it happened is a known drop-off spot for dumped cars.

“The suspect attempted to carjack the officers with a gun,” Chief Gwinn-Villaroel said at the scene. “One of the officers shot the suspect with his service weapon.”

Jaggers said when he got the call, he heard someone screaming “in the alley.”

“And when I got here, that’s when I saw my boy on the ground,” he said.

Jaggers’ son died at the hospital. His father is pushing back on the accusation that his son was trying to carjack the officers. He doesn’t believe his son knew anyone was inside the car.

“My son thought it was a dumped car. I know it’s still illegal, I know. But it’s not worth getting shot over,” he said.

Hours after the shooting, in the same area where it happened, friends and family released balloons in his memory as they wait for more answers and Jaggers prepares to bury his son.

Kentucky State Police will lead the investigation into the shooting, Gwinn-Villaroel said. The agency has statewide jurisdiction and investigates police shootings throughout the state at the request of local law enforcement agencies.

Police later said Rex Wright Jr., 23, is the person detectives were initially looking for. He turned himself in after the shooting. He was wanted for a non-fatal shooting incident.

Wright is charged with one count of assault and six counts of wanton endangerment in connection with an incident on May 28, 2023.

Wilson’s Mills father shoots, kills intruder who threatened his juvenile daughter

WILSON’S MILLS, N.C. (WTVD) — A father shot and killed an intruder Sunday who had reportedly threatened his young daughter. Wilson’s Mill Police said.

Police officers and Johnston County sheriff’s deputies responded to the 100 block of Parker Street just after 9 p.m. for a report of a breaking and entering in progress with a shooting.

Police Chief A.Z. Williams told the JoCo Report that it appeared the suspect entered the home’s backyard where children were playing outside. He apparently tried to accost an 11-year-old girl, one of three children playing outside.

The two other children ran inside and alerted the parents, Williams told ABC11.

Police said the 23-year-old suspect tried to follow the children inside and violently shook the door handle.

The homeowner then shot the intruder. The suspect’s name has not yet been released.

Williams said the family did not know the attacker. The sheriff’s office said the homeowner fully cooperated with detectives and was not arrested.

Williams told ABC11 that this was one of the first violent incidents he could remember in his five years with the department.

At the request of Wilson’s Mills Police, the sheriff’s office has assumed the investigation.