Category: Self Defense

Suspect who Greece Police say was shot during attempted robbery faces charges

GREECE, N.Y. — The 17-year-old who Greece police say was shot during an attempted robbery is facing charges.

The teen, a Rochester resident, is charged with the attempted robbery of Henry’s Convenience Store on Denise Road on Tuesday. He’s also charged with a robbery at the same store that happened on April 26.

Police say the store owner shot the suspect in self-defense after the suspect went into the store wearing a mask and pointing a gun. The teen underwent surgery for a gunshot wound to his leg and remains hospitalized under the watch of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Officers say they found the suspect injured on nearby Lake Avenue. A Greece police officer put a tourniquet on the suspect’s leg before he was taken to Strong Hospital.

Police got calls about the robbery and shooting around 7:30 a.m. The caller said the store owner and the suspect exchanged gunfire and the suspect ran away after being hit. Fifteen minutes later, officers got reports of a man shot.

Police say the suspect went into the store with a mask, and when asked to take it off, he pointed a gun at the store owner.

Greece Police say they recovered the suspect’s gun inside the store. Police say the store owner was a legal pistol permit holder and wasn’t injured.

“He used a legally registered handgun in what appears to be the defense of himself and the store,” Deputy Chief Naser Zenelovic said.

Monroe County Sheriffs and Rochester police assisted in setting up a perimeter. The number of shots fired during the exchange was not released.

Greece Police shared surveillance video of the first robbery at Henry’s Convenience Store. The video shows the suspect running away and police say the suspect had a gun and stole cash, along with other property.

The store has since reopened, but the owner declined to comment on camera before consulting with his attorney.

Greece resident Deborah Hofer expressed concern for her safety after the two incidents in 10 days. “I think that there should be more police in the area because this is kind of scary,” said Hofer.

As I understand it, the Israelis have these strict gun laws because they’re afraid the number of their citizens, who are actual Arabs, would more easily be armed to aid and assist their terrorist minded brethren when an opportunity presented itself.

Israeli National Security Minister Wants US Gun Laws at Home

Israel is a country in a tough spot. They have people who don’t just want to defeat them militarily all around them, and some inside their own borders, but who want them eliminated from the planet. They’re openly calling for genocide, and that includes voices all across the world, including within our own country, for some idiotic reason.

Because of that, there are certain laws in place that try to make the nation a tough target for anyone to take on.

You might be able to beat Israel in a war, but they’re damned sure going to make you pay for it first. They kind of take that “Never Again” thing seriously, and for good reason.

But they still have a lot of gun control. That’s not exactly conducive to being as hard a target as possible. Now, an Israeli minister has taken a look at the American gun culture and figures that Israel should adopt similar laws to the United States.

Israel’s controversial National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir recently visited the U.S., where he met with Jewish groups, law enforcement officials and politicians, as well as facing several clashes with protesters.

The shouting critics, however, did not appear to bother Ben-Gvir, who was a right-wing activist in his youth….

Prior to his meeting with Mast, Ben-Gvir had the chance to visit his home state where he saw something that he wanted to take back with him to Israel: gun culture.

Ben-Gvir has long been an advocate for wider distribution of firearms in Israel, and while he was visiting the U.S., he took time to see how America handles guns. He had the opportunity to visit both a shooting range and a gun store, which he said was “fascinating.”

“I was surprised by the quantity and types of weapons available. Even I haven’t reached that level,” Ben-Gvir told Fox News Digital.

He spoke about how critics have accused him of arming militias, which he denies. When speaking with Fox News Digital, Ben-Gvir said that the weapons he distributed in Israel “saved many lives.”

“I believe we need to learn a from the Americans. One of the important lessons is their policy on weapons,” Ben-Gvir told Fox News Digital. “I’m not sure I would distribute arms to the same extent, but I definitely believe in expanding access because citizens have the right to defend themselves.”

Gun culture in Israel has changed since the Oct. 7 massacre. Before the attacks, Israel was strict about who was eligible to obtain a firearm. Pre-Oct. 7, firearm licenses were restricted to those who live and work in high-risk areas, licensed tour guides and those who served with Israeli police or IDF security forces, among a few other specified categories, according to an Israeli government website from 2019.

Frankly, they should “distribute arms to the same extent” as the US, in part because then October 7th might have gone very differently. As it was, some Hamas fighters were killed by armed civilians who made the terrorists pay for all the Israeli blood they wanted to spill.

Yet more guns in more hands might have actually changed everything, up to and including potentially preventing that particular atrocity.

Less than a month before that attack, Hamas lashed out at armed Israelis.

*cough* *cough

They knew what they had planned and hoped to have more Israelis disarmed as a result, thus potentially making their vicious attack all the worse.

While not every Israeli would own a gun, even if they could do so easily, imagine what it would be like for the neighbors of the gun nuts who had a lot of AR-15s or AK-47-style rifles. Hamas is coming, but the neighborhood gun nut has put a fighting rifle in the hand of every man, woman, and child on the block with enough ammunition to beat back an army.

Or even just a few rifles among close friends.

Anything is better than being a sitting duck when so many people want you purged from humanity.

Dyersburg home invasion ends in one man dead, two arrests

DYERSBURG, Tenn. – A man died and police arrested two others and charged them after a home invasion style robbery in Dyersburg this week, the Dyersburg Police Department said.

Officers began investigating the incident when it was reported on Monday, April 28, around 7:45 p.m., Dyersburg Police Chief Thomas Langford said.

According to Chief Langford, 19-year-old Christopher Terry was shot during the home invasion after the homeowner defended himself.

On Wednesday, police arrested Jeremiah Terry, 18, and Raymon Patton, 20, on charges of aggravated robbery, attempted second-degree murder, and possessing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felon

Robbery suspect killed in shooting at Houston donut shop

HOUSTON — A robbery suspect was shot and killed Thursday morning after an attempted holdup at a Houston donut shop ended in gunfire, according to police.

The shooting happened around 6:15 a.m. at the Snowflake Donuts shop on Winkler Drive along the Gulf Freeway. Officers arrived at the scene just after 6:20 a.m., where they found the suspect dead inside the business.

Houston Police Department Homicide Det. Socrates Trujillo said the suspect, armed with a firearm and dressed in a black hoodie and dark clothing, entered the shop during an apparent robbery. The store owner, who was also armed, shot the suspect. The suspect’s gun was recovered at the scene, and a cash register was found open, police said.

“This is a busy place… people getting some donuts or kolaches before they head to work or school,” Trujillo said. “It could have ended very differently, where innocent civilians could have been shot and injured.”

Trujillo said the investigation remains in its early stages. The store owner is not currently facing any charges, but the case will be presented to a grand jury for review.

“There is no [charge] presented to him at this time,” Trujillo said. “This will be presented to a grand jury, and they’ll have the determination of that shooting.”

Police are still working to determine the suspect’s identity and whether the incident may be linked to other robberies in the area. Surveillance video from both the store and nearby businesses has been collected, but officers have not yet reviewed all of the footage.

It was unclear how many people were inside the store at the time, but witnesses have been identified and are being interviewed.

Trujillo said the store owner is “doing fine as best as he can be for right now.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

Here is what the police said at the scene:

Homeowner shoots intruder attempting to break into Henry County home

HENRY COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) – An intruder was critically injured after being shot by a homeowner during an attempted break-in early Friday morning in southeast Henry County, according to Henry County Sheriff John Sproles.

At 1:45 a.m. Friday, Henry County deputies responded to a residence after a homeowner called 911 and reported someone was trying to break into his home. The homeowner had heard his dog barking and a voice outside.

When deputies arrived, they found a man lying on the front porch with a gunshot wound to the face.

Sproles said the intruder had broken two front windows and was reaching inside the home, attempting to pull the blinds down when the homeowner fired one shot from a 45-caliber handgun.

The intruder was airlifted to a hospital in Indianapolis, where he underwent surgery. He was listed in critical but stable condition.

Authorities have not released the intruder’s identity, but confirmed he’s had 135 prior interactions with law enforcement in Henry County, most of which were related to mental health issues.

Sproles said the case appears to be an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public. There was not a motive for the break-in.

The homeowner, who was home with his wife and three-year-old child at the time, is cooperating with the investigation.

“This incident highlights the dire crisis we are facing with inadequate resources to house people with mental illness,” Sproles said.

Sproles said his deputies had “just completed an all week Crisis intervention training here with approximately 20 law-enforcement officers from our county, including the New Castle police department, members of the State Police, and the Middletown and Knightstown police departments.”

The investigation is ongoing.

Man shot, killed while trying to carjack vehicle in Stone Mountain area

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A man was shot and killed on North Hairston Road Friday night, according to DeKalb County Police.

Just after 6 p.m., officers responded to the scene near Sister 2 Sister Cafe Halal. Once there, they said they found a man who had been shot and who later died from his injuries.

After further investigation, officers said they determined the victim was trying to carjack someone else’s car and was shot during the crime.

At this time, the victim’s identity has not been released. Police have also provided no information as to whether the shooter will face charges.

Idaho Panhandle School Board Okays Armed Teachers

The St. Maries, Idaho School District, located in Benewah County at the confluence of the St. Joe and St. Maries rivers southeast of Coeur d’Alene Lake, has okayed teachers to carry guns on campus and in classrooms following a 4-0 vote to finalize the policy.

Under the policy described by the Spokane Spokesman-Review, in order for a staff member to be approved to carry on campus, he/she must have an Idaho enhanced concealed carry license, go through a background check and 40-hour firearms training course which includes de-escalation and threat assessment instruction, and they must be screened and interviewed by local law enforcement.

St. Maries is the largest city in Benewah County.

MyNorthwest noted that School Board Chairman Seth Stoke said none of the volunteer teachers or staff who are armed will be identified.

“They can assume that everybody is armed,” he said. “The whole idea is not knowing who is carrying.”

The plan is in reaction to a rise in school shootings over the past 25 years. MyNorthwest pointed to a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which said “there were 1,453 school shootings from the 1997–1998 school year to the 2021–2022 school year.

“The most recent five school years have had a substantially higher number of school shootings than the prior 20 years,” the group said.

Firearms carried by staff must be personally owned, and either carried or placed in a district-approved lock box at all times.

The Spokesman-Review noted another development in school security is also in the works. The school board approved a three-year agreement with Panacea NW Region Corporation, a school security consulting firm based in Hayden, which is north of Coeur d’Alene. Panacea NW will conduct emergency response training with school district staff and parents.

The Spokane newspaper said a majority of residents in the community support the armed teacher program, while school staff is “about evenly split.” Some staff reportedly support having an armed school resource officer with the Sheriff’s Department on campus instead. Such an officer was hired last month, the Spokesman-Review reported.

Just my opinion, but the homeowner likely doesn’t really need time on a range to practice his marksmanship, but simply a reconsideration of whose lives he values more.

GA Sheriff Issues Warning After Armed Citizen Stops ‘Deranged’ Man From Climbing Through Child’s Window

A sheriff in Georgia is praising the actions of an armed homeowner who stopped a would-be intruder from gaining access to a child’s bedroom, while also issuing a warning to other criminals in the county.

Butts County Sheriff Gary Long says a man named Abdul Aquil is in custody in connection with the break-in, and is lucky to be alive after his encounter with the armed citizen. Aquil allegedly first tried to gain entry to the home through a bedroom window with a child on the other side, but the child’s father heard the commotion and interrupted the burglar as he was crawling inside.

Long said the father of the child “challenged the intruder and the suspect exited the window.”

According to Long, the father then went to his room and got a gun as Aquil busted the living room window, trying to get inside.

The father fired his gun, missing the suspect, but causing the suspect to run away.

Long said in a Facebook post, “The shot fired by the homeowner was UNFORTUNATELY about 8 inches too high, missing the intruder, which would have resulted in his death.”

Thankfully the errant shot didn’t hit anyone else either, but it did cause the suspect to turn tail and run away. Deputies caught up with Aquil a short distance away and took him into custody after what the sheriff’s office calls a “brief altercation” with law enforcement, and at last report he’s cooling his heels in the Butts County Jail.

Long, meanwhile, has two messages for residents of Butts County. In that Facebook post he “strongly” encouraged citizens who can legally possess a firearm to get their hands on one and attend a gun safety class hosted by the sheriff’s office, adding that “if the homeowner last night was not a gun owner, I am afraid the outcome could have been much different.

The sheriff’s message for those in Butts County who might be thinking of engaging in a little late-night burglary, on the other hand, is a warning that they should be aware they may very well come across a homeowner who won’t miss.

“To the criminals, listen up and pay close attention, if you decide to break into a home in Butts County, make sure you are ready to meet your maker. My staff and I will spend as much time as it takes to make sure the citizens of this County are well-trained, educated and capable of making great shots to protect their family and homes. So, unless you are prepared to die, I would highly recommend you to find a home in another County to burglarize, because this is not the one.”

Aquil is currently facing a litany of charges; including burglary, home invasion, terroristic threats, first-degree cruelty to children, and second-degree criminal damage to property. If convicted, Aquil could spend the next decade or more behind bars. In fact, Georgia’s home invasion statute has a mandatory minimum ten-year sentence, so Aquil is guaranteed to live out the next few years in custody if he’s found guilty on that charge alone.

The armed homeowner who defended their family isn’t facing any charges, and it sounds like it didn’t take investigators long at all to figure out that his errant shot was a justifiable use of force. Some range time might be in order, but thankfully the shot he fired didn’t need to strike its intended target to stop the threat posed by the would-be intruder.

Why Do I Have Guns? Because of People Like Taylor Lorenz.

Former New York Times and Washington Post “journalist” Taylor Lorenz is not a very good person, but I want to start by making it very clear that the headline is not a threat against her. I wish her absolutely no physical or even psychological harm from any kind of violent encounter.

No, I carry a gun because of people like her, but not so much because I’m looking to hurt them.
I’m looking to make sure me and mine don’t get hurt by the kind of people who want to impress people like her.

As you may have heard, Lorenz embarrassed herself by fawning over UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s alleged killer. Luigi Mangione reportedly shot Thompson with a privately made firearm with a privately made suppressor on the streets of one of the most anti-gun cities in the country.

Mangione is someone that, apparently, many women find to be a good-looking guy. He doesn’t do it for me, but then again, dudes never will.

Lorenz, however, celebrated the murder from the start, and in her latest comments during an interview with CNN, she literally called Mangione “moral.”

Yes, the guy accused of killing another, who Lorenz believes did it, was the moral one. A lot of people agree with her.

This is sick and twisted, especially as this kind of celebratory attitude encourages others to kill people they disagree with or simply don’t like because they did something “bad.”

Yet Lorenz isn’t exactly my biggest fan, apparently. She blocked me on X shortly after I criticized what one might laughingly call her work. I said she sucked at her job and she got bent out of shape over it. It’s safe to say, at least at that moment, that she probably thought I was a bad person.

And now we know what Lorenz wants to see happen to “bad people.”

In this day and age, there are a ton of people who think like this. They’re the people firebombing Tesla dealerships or plotting to kill President Donald Trump or Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro because they don’t like what they believe these people represent.

So why would anyone believe those deemed “bad” won’t become the target of people who want to be seen as “good” by their side, by people like Lorenz?

While I don’t think I’m likely to ever be the victim of any such thing, I’d be stupid to act like I’m impervious. That’s true of just about everyone out there, even those of us who don’t have a particularly high profile. I mean, despite being a health insurance CEO, Brian Thompson wasn’t that well known, all things considered.

People like Lorenz celebrate the murder of people they don’t like, which feeds into the idea that the ends justify even the most violent means. It doesn’t matter whether there are non-violent means available; they still support violence.

Taylor Lorenz will likely never act violently herself. Not for her politics and not for much of anything else, except maybe in her own defense.
But her and people like her celebrating and swooning over a killer and pretending he’s a hero has the potential to result in a whole lot more deaths than Luigi Mangione could have possibly carried out himself.

Just my personal opinion, but I’d add that knowing how to use that strength and knowing how and when to proficiently use your preferred firearm(s) are more important than merely being strong.

Training: You are the Operating System for Whatever Firearm You Choose to Use.

“Strength makes everything better.” Ryan “Matt” Reynolds said to the group of students gathered for the “Fight Strong” class in Camden, Tennessee at the Tactical Response headquarters. A couple of weeks prior, James Yeager had called me and said, “Matt Reynolds is coming up to do a strength class. You and Jarrad need to get your asses up here.” Having complete respect for James, I told him that we would be there.

At the time I was working out regularly in the gym that Jarrad and I were running in Biloxi, Mississippi. I would run on the treadmill, do heavy bag work, lift dumbbells, and even spar often, despite being well north of forty. I wondered, based upon my decades of exercise experience, if there was much I could learn in the class. Nonetheless, I parked my ego and made the trip. It would turn out not only to be truly beneficial, but it quite literally saved my life.

Strong People are Harder to Kill

The quote comes from Mark Rippetoe and was from an article he wrote for the Crossfit Journal, of all things. The full quote is, “Strong people are harder to kill than weak people, and more useful in general.”

Continue reading “”

The Door Gun
Keep your friends close, and your defensive firearm closer.

When I was a kid just about every country home had what we called a “kitchen-door gun.”  That was an old .22 rifle or maybe a single-shot .410. It was used to dispatch unwanted critters from the porch or yard. Poisonous snakes would be a good example. Of course, the kitchen-door gun occasionally came into play when dealing with even more dangerous, and bigger, critters.

In today’s society, having a long gun safely stored near your external doors is really a good idea. Even though you may be wearing a defensive handgun, getting your hands on a long gun really increases your chances of surviving a criminal attack. In my own case, my door gun has evolved into a 12-gauge pump shotgun with an 18-inch barrel.

And I really don’t think the door gun has to be a shotgun. It should be whatever rifle or shotgun the individual handles best and feels most confident with. It might be a good idea to have a light attached to it and it is certainly a good idea to have extra ammunition attached. I also like the idea of the door gun being as short as legally possible in order to be more handy in working around a door or a confining foyer.

Living in the country, I have often thought that one of the modern coach guns would be an excellent idea. A short, double-barreled 12 gauge…or 20 gauge…with exposed hammers so that it can sit loaded without any springs being depressed. One barrel would hold a field load of #6 shot for little varmints and the other barrel would contain a full load of 00 buck for big varmints. Also, I’d want a butt cuff attached to hold some extra ammo.

Another good choice might be an AR with a collapsible butt stock because it is short and easy to handle in close confines. Again, a light and extra ammo carrier is a good idea.

The biggest challenge, should you decide to have door guns is finding a way to keep them out of sight and secure. The real challenge is to do that and still have them available on very short notice, while keeping them safe from unauthorized access. The individual will just have to study his own dwelling and situation to work out a solution. Of course, it is important that every family member authorized to use the door gun be trained in its safe operation and know how to handle it safely.

When properly thought out, the door gun is a country tradition that is just an awfully good idea regardless of where a person resides.

Armed intruder killed by resident at Fort Myers apartments

A person was shot and killed at a Fort Myers apartment complex while attempting a break-in.

Fort Myers police officers responded to a call at 11:40 p.m. Thursday in reference to a disturbance on Mahaffey Road in the Carlton of Fort Myers apartments, off Plantation Road.

The person who called 911 told police that they fired one shot at an armed intruder trying to enter their residence.

Officers and EMS attempted life-saving measures. However, the intruder was pronounced dead at the scene.

No one is in custody. The investigation is ongoing.

GSCC police set to host Advanced Women’s Self-Defense Class

The Gadsden State Community College Police Department will host a free Advanced Women’s Self-Defense Class on Saturday, April 19, at the Beck Conference Center on the Wallace Drive [Gadsden, Alabama] Campus.

This empowering and educational course is open to the public for women ages 13 and up and will run from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and resume after lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., for those wanting to attend the shooting range portion.

Designed to build confidence and equip participants with valuable tools to protect themselves, the class will include hands-on training and cover the following key topics:

  • Situational Awareness
  • Legal Insights
  • Hands-on Self-Defense Techniques
  • Firearm Awareness and Safety

An optional shooting range session will be available to participants from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. for those who bring a functioning handgun and 50 rounds of ammunition.

The event is made possible through the support of our exceptional instructors from various agencies and local sponsors.

“This class is about more than just physical defense—it’s about empowering women with knowledge, confidence, and a strong sense of preparedness,” said Jay Freeman, Chief of Police at Gadsden State Community College. “We want every participant to leave feeling stronger, smarter, and more capable of protecting themselves and those around them.”

Homeowner Shoots Intruder During Early Morning Break-In in Jackson; Suspect in Critical Condition

Jackson, Mich. (WKHM) — A man is in critical condition after being shot during an attempted break-in at a home in Jackson early Monday morning.

Police say the 40-year-old homeowner called 911 around 5:45 a.m. to report a break-in at his home on N. Gorham Street. A 47-year-old man had broken a basement window and was heading upstairs when the homeowner confronted him and fired one shot, hitting the man in the neck.

Officers arrived to find the suspect on the basement stairs. He was rushed to Henry Ford Hospital where he remains in critical condition.

According to the police, the man admitted to breaking in, claiming he thought the home was vacant. He is homeless, authorities said.

The homeowner was interviewed by the police, but no charges have been filed at this time. The investigation is still ongoing.

Martinsville PD: Homeowner shot, killed would-be burglar

MARTINSVILLE, Ind. — A homeowner allegedly shot and killed a would-be burglar in Martinsville on Sunday.

According to a press release from the Martinsville Police Department, officers were called to the 500 block of West Pike Street around 1:30 p.m. to investigate an attempted burglary. When police arrived at the scene, they determined a homeowner shot and killed a would-be burglar.

MPD confirmed the homeowner has been cooperative with detectives and evidence technicians who responded to the scene to investigate the shooting. Police do not believe the shooting poses any ongoing threat to the neighborhood.

MPD withheld the name of the would-be burglar and homeowner in its press release. Police indicated that the identities of both individuals involved in the shooting will be released once the decedent’s family has been properly notified of their death.

Tesla attacks and political unrest spark ‘self-defense’ gun sales

Political unrest urged by anti-Trump liberals, coupled with attacks on Tesla vehicles and dealerships due to founder Elon Musk’s close association with the president, appears to be pushing some people to buy guns for self-defense.

According to the marketing director for one of the nation’s largest gun sellers, customers are buying up smaller concealed carry firearms despite a slight drop in overall gun sales recorded by the FBI’s background check system.

“Economic pressure continues to affect our business, though we are still seeing steady sales of self-defense and concealed carry handguns,” said Justin Anderson, the marketing director for Hyatt Guns of Charlotte, North Carolina.

“If news of people torching Tesla dealerships is any indication, this summer is going to be a difficult one, especially in major American cities. Civil disturbances have traditionally fueled an uptick in gun sales, especially in the home and self-defense sector,” he told Secrets.

In its analysis of March FBI background checks, the National Shooting Sports Foundation said sales likely hit 1,386,724. That was a 3.8% drop compared to March 2024.

Graphic courtesy National Shooting Sports Foundation

Still, it continued a several yearslong sales explosion of over 1 million firearms a month.

“Over 1.3 million times, Americans freely approached the gun counter to lawfully exercise their Second Amendment freedoms. Economic challenges notwithstanding, this is indicative of the desire of Americans to safely and responsibly keep and bear arms. Americans continue to invest in their freedom and safety because it still remains a high priority,” said Mark Oliva, spokesman for NSSF, the industry trade group.

The number could be higher because 24 states issue permits that allow those who have already passed a federal background check to buy again without having to go through the FBI system.

Anderson said his customers have been buying self-defense firearms even though they are concerned about the economy, which has been recently shaken by President Donald Trump’s push for record trade tariffs that have thrust confusion into financial markets.

“That slight upward movement lets me know that people, despite having little disposable income, are unsure about the future and are taking out an insurance policy in the form of a firearm,” he said.

And as the Trump moves shake out, he added, the gun industry is hitting the pause button on expansion until clarity returns to the economic outlook.

“We are taking a wait-and-see approach to wholesale purchasing right now, and focusing our efforts in other parts of our business,” Anderson said.

Suspected Hardeeville carjacker killed by ‘armed citizen who protected himself

Police said a man was shot and killed Sunday night near downtown Hardeeville in an apparent act of self-defense as he attempted one of several “armed assaults” in the area.

Around 9:40 p.m. Sunday, officers from the Hardeeville Police Department received word of an armed suspect who attempted to carjack a DoorDash delivery driver before fleeing on foot in the direction of Whyte Hardee Boulevard, according to Chief of Police Sam Woodward.

As they responded to that call, police heard several gunshots nearby. Woodward said the unnamed suspect fired several shots near the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, but police weren’t sure if he had a specific target in mind.

The man allegedly attempted another carjacking outside the Friendship Inn & Studios, located at 20750 Whyte Hardee Boulevard. He pointed his firearm at the driver of the car and fired at least once, Woodward said, and the driver fired a number of shots in return.

The suspected carjacker was struck by at least three bullets, Woodward said. He was pronounced dead at the scene after Hardeeville officers attempted life-saving measures. The driver was initially detained but was later released as police learned more about the incident.

Investigators later said the deceased man “was actively involved in attempted armed assaults on potential victims when he encountered an armed citizen who protected himself,” the Hardeeville Police Department said in a Facebook post.

Woodward said the homicide remained under investigation, but investigators believed the driver had acted in self-defense. “Right now, everything’s pointing in that direction,” he said.

The chief added that officers had trespassed the suspect from a business earlier that night. Hardeeville police had encountered the man prior to Sunday during several drug-related investigations, Woodward said, but the suspect’s behavior had not escalated to violence.

Staff at the Jasper County Coroner’s Office had not identified the deceased man as of Tuesday afternoon.