Category: Self Defense

Hattiesburg man shot, killed by security guard during incident at chicken-processing plant

JONES COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) — A security guard may have saved the lives of others Wednesday afternoon after shooting and killing an armed man in the parking lot of a Jones County chicken-processing plant.

Jones County Coroner Burl Hall said Wednesday night that 21-year-old Lorenzo Hawthorne, of Hattiesburg, died outside the facility at Southern Hens., Inc,, on Moselle-Seminary Road after an exchange of gunfire with a company security guard.

Hall said the body will be sent to the state Crime Lab for autopsy.

The security guard had not been identified Wednesday.

In a statement issued early Wednesday evening, Southern Hens., Inc., said the incident started about 2 p.m. that afternoon as a workplace dispute.

“On January 29, 2025, at about 2:00 pm, at its plant in Moselle, Mississippi, an employee of Southern Hens had a dispute with another worker at the plant and left the secured area of the plant and retrieved a gun from the parking lot,” the statement read. “ He fired at least five shots in the parking lot area and when he turned the gun on the plant security guard, he was shot and killed by the guard.”

The release said Jones County Sheriff’s Department personnel were on-site. The company said all nonessential employees at the plant were released for the remaining work day as soon as it was cleared by JCSD.

The company said all employees who may have witnessed the encounter will be offered counseling.

“Thoughts and prayer go out to the families affected by this shooting,” the statement concluded.

JCSD Investigator Stephen Graeser confirmed that the shooter was a Southern Hens’ employee.

Graeser said the shooter fired multiple rounds with an AR-15-style rifle outside into vehicles where workers were.

Workers fled the scene, and no one was hurt at that time, Graeser said.

Graeser said the shooter than tried to make his way into the plant, where he was confronted by security.

Multiple rounds were exchanged between the shooter and a security guard, with the shooter dying from gunshot wounds, Graeser said.

Some Southern Hens employees were calling the security guard a hero.

“The guy got fired from his job,” Southern Hens employee Kelvin Snyder said. “He got mad, went out to his truck, got a gun … he shot off three shots, he missed.

“The security guard jumped up and ran behind the guard shack. He shot off three more shots, he missed. The security guard jumped up and hit him in the chest and the top … He was planning to come inside the plant. Like I seen him. He was walking, fixin’ to come in the plant, and they stopped him.

“They stopped him with two shots.”

The shooting remains under investigation.

Plan Ahead: A firearm is only one part of an integrated defensive plan.

Bob and Sarah (not their real names) owned a small grocery on the edge of town, not far from the interstate highway. On the evening in question, Bob was behind the counter manning the cash register, while Sarah was in their little office. Bob looked up to see a masked man enter the store and point a gun at him. Bob put his hands up and took a step backwards. Just then Sarah fired a shot from inside the office delivering a load of buckshot from her 20 gauge to the armed robber’s neck and head.

That sounds like a lucky save, but there was a lot of planning done ahead of time to insure a successful outcome. When Bob and Sarah first bought the store, they had a carpenter come in and frame up a small office against the wall opposite of the front door, situated so that someone in the office could see the front door and the checkout counter. Next, they had a small button installed on the floor beneath the cash register that would buzz in the office when it was stepped on. Finally, they installed security cameras inside and outside the store.

In this particular case, Sarah saw the crook while he was still outside, putting his mask on. By the time that Bob saw the crook and stepped on the buzzer at his feet, Sarah had already dialed 9-1-1 and was reaching for the office shotgun. Knowing what was about to happen, Bob put his hands up and stepped back to make sure that his wife had a clear line of fire.

My point in all of this is that the firearm in question was just one integral part of the security system. This couple had discussed the dangers of running a store on the edge of town and took steps to make themselves a harder target.

I happen to think that a firearm, and the ability to use it well and wisely, is just one part of what guarantees our personal safety. Merely locking the doors in our vehicle and our house doesn’t keep the crook out, but it buys us time to react, arm ourselves, and notify authorities. Being a lifelong shooter, my hearing is not what it once was, so I also rely on my little dog to tell me when someone is around. And, after hearing Bob and Sarah’s story, I am in the process of looking at inexpensive security cameras.

My situation may not be exactly like yours or Bob and Sarah’s. We each have to ask ourselves … How do I spend my days?  What criminal acts am I likely to be confronted with, and how can I prepare for them? Yes, a defensive firearm, and the ability to use it safely and effectively, is important. But it is only part of the whole situation. You’d be wise to study your particular situation and plan ahead.

Argentinian TCOB

A 78-year-old retiree shot and killed a 15-year-old boy who tried to rob him outside of his home in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The teenager quickly leaps out of the car before it can even come to a full stop next to the white car, with the boy seen aiming what appeared to be a handgun at the Toyota driver. As the teen goes to open the driver’s seat door, the 78-year-old man pulls out a .357 Magnum pistol and fires at the boy, killing him, police said.

The teenager, who was described by a friend online as a “great person,” was holding a fake gun meant to resemble a grey 22-caliber mini Bersa Thunder, Page 12 reported.

Investigators said they are still on the hunt for the two people who were in the van at the time of the attempted robbery. The Departmental Investigations Directorate is treating the case as an aggravated robbery conducted by suspected gang members, officials added.

Local Prosecutor Diego Rulli, who is in charge of the case, will not seek charges against the 78-year-old man, who he said acted in clear self-defense with a weapon that he has a license to carry and use.

APD: Teen killed during robbery attempt, 7 teens charged in connection

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) [January 29]– The Albuquerque Police Department said 14-year-old Alfonso Sanderson was killed overnight after they said he and a friend tried to rob a woman and shot her at an apartment complex on Tramway Blvd. According to APD, the woman’s husband shot back killing Sanderson. The shooting is being investigated as a justifiable homicide.

According to police, Sanderson was with a group of teens who were in a white vehicle approaching the couple in a blue Jeep. The victims said Sanderson approached them on the passenger side window with two guns. Another teen, identified as Jeriah Salas, opened the rear passenger door with a gun. That’s when they heard gunshots and the husband shot back multiple times at the teens.

A female teen entered the Jeep and began to fight with the husband. He then put the Jeep in reverse and hit the white vehicle. The couple later arrived at the hospital after realizing the woman had been shot.

The teens put Sanderson into their vehicle and drove to a nearby residence for gas money. APD said Janiyah Pino went to the hospital after being grazed by a bullet. She was taken into custody for charges in connection to the robbery. She also had a felony warrant.

Salas was charged with attempt to commit an armed robbery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, and assault with a deadly weapon among other charges.

Jocelyn Pino, 16, 14-year-old Elijah Gutierrez, 12-year-old Jathan Gutierrez, 17-year-old Vicente Pino, 15-year-old Janiyah Pino, and 13-year-old Levi Salas were charged in connection to the robbery as well. Salas was arrested on Thursday.

Store manager shoots man charging at him with knife in downtown Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A store manager shot a man who allegedly charged at him with a knife at a store in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday.

Just before 6 p.m. Sunday, police responded to a shooting at the convenience store located at E. 11th Street and Grand Boulevard.

When officers arrived, they located the suspect, Marcus Webb, on the ground suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to an area hospital.

Webb was charged in the incident.

Officers spoke with the manager, who told them he shot Webb in self-defense after Webb jumped over the counter and charged at him with what was later identified as a brisket knife, according to court documents.

The owner of the store showed officers surveillance video that confirmed the manager’s account of the incident.

A customer who was inside the store with his 8-year-old son also spoke with police and said he saw the commotion unfold, including Webb jumping over the counter.

He told police that the store manager, “saved his life and his son’s life, and he would be willing to testify to it being self-defense.”

In an interview with detectives, the manager said Webb had entered the store earlier in the day and was escorted out after going behind the counter.

When Webb returned, he was armed with a knife and jumped onto the counter.

The manager said he managed to get from behind the counter and Webb began chasing him.

He told police he managed to get some distance between Webb and that’s when he shot him.

A witness told police he heard Webb say, “You shot me, I’m dying.” The cashier responded, “I didn’t want to shoot you, you were trying to stab me,” to which Webb replied, “I didn’t want to stab you, I wanted to kill you.”

Armed homeowner kills suspect who kicked in door

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RIO RANCHO, N.M. —
An attempted home invasion around midnight Saturday was thwarted when the owner shot and killed a man who broke down the front door, a Rio Rancho Police Department social media post said.

Two adults and three children were sleeping in a house on the 1500 block of 12th Street Southeast when the sound of the man entering the house woke up the owner, who had a gun and shot the intruder. The intruder was taken to a hospital, where he died, police said.

The Rio Rancho Police Department responded to the incident. The results of its investigation will be sent to the district attorney. The owner of the house has not been charged.

A burglary suspect was shot and killed by homeowner

PHOENIX — A man who reportedly broke into a home is dead after being shot by the homeowner, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

The incident happened Friday night at a home near 107th Avenue and Indian School Road.

Police said officers responded to the home and found a man, age 51, who had been shot. The man was taken to the hospital where he died.

“Officers detained the homeowner who acknowledged his involvement in shooting the man who entered his residence,” police said in a news release.

Police said the homeowner was interviewed and released from custody on Saturday.

The case will be submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review.

Other details were not released.

Investigation into Fatal Shooting at 1570 South Dairy Ashford Road

January 21, 2025 – The fatal shooting of a robbery suspect at 1570 South Dairy Ashford Road about 5:10 a.m. on Monday (Jan. 20) will be referred to a Harris County grand jury.

The identity of the male suspect, 16, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeants M. Burrow and R. Watson reported:

Officers responded to a shooting call at the business at the above address and observed a male with apparent gunshot wounds. Paramedics pronounced him deceased at the scene.

Evidence indicates the male and another male attempted to commit an armed robbery of the business, which resulted in a shootout with employees. One male was shot and the other fled on foot. None of the employees was injured.

Concealed Carry Corner: Self-Defense Ammo Options

Welcome back to another episode of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we talked about self-defense ammunition and why it’s important along with a few things to keep in mind. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, I want to take a further look at some great options for self-defense ammo and what each type of ammo offers. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top self-defense ammo options.

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Wildfires in California Reinforce the Importance of Gun Rights
You are your own first responder

Wildfires have once again devastated California, reducing vibrant neighborhoods and close-knit communities to piles of ash in a matter of days.

The death toll continues to climb as firefighters and search teams recover the missing, and estimated damages now exceed $250 billion. Many residents are grappling with the heartbreaking reality that their homes—and priceless family heirlooms—are gone forever.

It is apocalyptic and utterly heartbreaking. My prayers go out to those mourning the loss of life, property, and their way of living.

But amidst the flames and destruction, another crisis has emerged: opportunistic criminals are preying on those who are at their weakest, looting homes, and businesses. They are targeting neighborhoods with high property values, exploiting this chaos for personal gain.

In Mandeville Canyon, a gang of looters stole over $200,000 worth of electronics and jewelry. In Altadena, another group was caught with an actual Emmy Award. More than 40 individuals have been apprehended by Santa Monica police alone and countless others remain on the loose.

Reports have emerged of armed residents having to patrol their neighborhoods at night to protect what little they have left. It is a stark and troubling reminder that in times of crisis, you cannot rely on someone else for your safety.

This moment, where a state of emergency has overwhelmed law enforcement resources, is a sobering reminder of why our Second Amendment rights are so vital. The ability to possess and carry a firearm could be the difference between life and death for residents in Southern California.

As a former California State Patrol officer, I served my community, region, and state for 13 years. We sacrificed life and limb to uphold our mission to “Protect and Serve,” and even deployed in 2017 (Tubbs Fire) and 2018 (Camp Fire) to protect devastated communities from criminals.

But despite our best efforts, there were many times when we arrived too late. Theft had already occurred, a victim was already dead, or property had been irreparably destroyed. The harsh reality is this: you are your own first responder. It is a difficult truth, but it is not up for debate. There are simply not enough law enforcement officers – especially during a national emergency – to protect everyone, everywhere, at all times.

That is why, in the years since my retirement, I have dedicated myself to Second Amendment advocacy. People need to understand the importance of the right to “keep and bear arms.” In moments like these, lives truly hang in the balance.

Following this disaster, there must be a robust conversation about accountability – who is responsible for the destruction, and how can justice be served? But equally important, we must address the dangerous impact of restrictive gun control policies that hinder Californians from protecting their loved ones. Taking firearms out of the hands of law-abiding citizens undermines public safety and emboldens criminals who know they will face little resistance.

We may never fully recover from these wildfires, but we can learn from them. History repeats itself unless we are willing to make meaningful changes. Government leaders must prioritize the safety and security of their citizens over political agendas.

In times of crisis, self-reliance is not just a virtue – it is a necessity. The ability to protect yourself, your family, and your community is a right worth defending

Armed L.A. residents defy evacuation orders to defend homes from wildfire looters

Amid concerns over looters targeting wildfire victims’ homes, some residents are defying evacuation orders and choosing to protect their properties instead.

The homeowners said they have chosen to stay put, taking security measures into their own hands while potentially snuffing out any embers that could ignite.

EveAnna Manley moved to Altadena 20 years ago and said she worked to prepare her home for natural disasters such as the Eaton Fire.

As of Wednesday, around 50 people had been arrested for alleged looting in wildfire evacuation zones across L.A.

Manley said she is fully prepared to face any looters who show up on her property.

“I do have firearms and I’ve been calling my friends to make sure I know how to legally exist with them,” she said.
EveAnna Manley chose not to evacuate her Altadena home to protect the property against looters or potential flare-ups from the Eaton Fire. (KTLA)

EveAnna Manley chose not to evacuate her Altadena home to protect the property against looters or potential flare-ups from the Eaton Fire. (KTLA)

A sign posted on EveAnna Manley's front window alerting potential trespassers that she is armed. (KTLA)

A sign posted on EveAnna Manley’s front window alerting potential trespassers that she is armed.

 

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No charges in fatal weekend shooting in North Omaha

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Authorities said no charges will be filed in the shooting death of a 37-year-old man in North Omaha over the weekend.

Brandon Jones, 37, was killed and four others were injured in a shooting reported near 24th and Binney streets around 3 a.m. Sunday.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine told First Alert 6 on Wednesday that no charges have been filed in Jones’ death, saying shots had been fired at him in self-defense.

“The people that fired at him were justified in doing what they did — obviously he wasn’t justified in coming in with a gun and firing at people inside,” Kleine said.

Prosecutors shared details about the case with First Alert 6 on Wednesday, saying Jones was upset after he was asked to leave an after-hours gathering at a business, and returned with a gun. He allegedly made threats then fired multiple shots, and gunfire was exchanged.

When police arrived on the scene after a ShotSpotter activation, they located Jones and another victim. Officers immediately began CPR on Jones before he was taken to Nebraska Medicine, where he later died, reports state.

Police reports indicate officers also found a 32-year-old man with a gunshot wound in the lower left side of his back at the scene; his injuries were determined not to be life-threatening.

Authorities later identified three more victims who arrived at CUMC with gunshot wounds after the shooting: a 57-year-old man, a 55-year-old man, and a 48-year-old man. All three were transferred to CHI-Bergan Mercy hospital for treatment, but initial reports indicated their injuries were not life-threatening.

Suspect shot, killed by store clerk after armed robbery in St. Clair County

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation after a man was shot and killed during a robbery Sunday morning.

According to SCCSO, Timothy Jones, 44, of Hale County, entered a gas station in Cropwell around 4:30 a.m. with a knife. The suspect was reportedly shot and killed by the store clerk during the robbery.

St. Clair County Criminal Investigation Division is investigating.

Gun sales: lies, damned lies and statistics

With Donald Trump about to regain the White House and Republicans in control—barely—of both houses of Congress, gun owners and Americans who think they might want to be gun owners someday can relax, right? Right? Beginning January 20, 2025, the federal government probably won’t be harassing gun dealers or trying to write extra-constitutional rules to turn millions of Americans into instant felons for possession of guns or accessories that were lawful the day before, right? Let’s review the status quo on the way to an answer.

For 65 consecutive months, Americans have bought more than a million guns. That’s measured by NCIC record checks mandatory whenever one buys a gun—or guns—from a federally licensed gun dealer after filling out the standard ATF Form 4473. Private sales surely count for many more, but aren’t recorded.

After 2024 monthly gun sales — as measured by adjusted NICS data — trailing 2023 for most of the year, they started to accelerate in July and jumped even more in August. This may be due, at least in part, to the impending election. Americans tend to hedge their bets every four years by stocking up on firearms and related gear. And then there’s the general state of society that seems to have an increasing number of people concerned about self-defense. 

Graphic: FBI data via NSSF. Public Domain.

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Homeless man, 69, won’t face charges after stabbing thugs who terrorized him on subway, killing 1: DA

Dramatic video footage captured the moment a 69-year-old homeless man stabbed the thugs who mercilessly terrorized him on a Queens subway train, killing one and wounding another.

In a twist of transit justice, it’s the surviving goons who are now behind bars, prosecutors said.

“The victim was accosted, without provocation, and our investigation has shown that he defended himself while attempting to retrieve his property,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement Wednesday.

“As a result, my office will not be filing charges for the fatality.”

Gripping footage of the violent encounter on a 7 train on Dec. 22 shows the victim sleeping on the train shortly before 12:30 a.m. when two of the brutes — identified by prosecutors as Stalin Moya and Oswaldo Walter — grab one of the man’s bags and take it into a second car.

Moya then goes back and grabs more of the victim’s bags — waking him up in the process. That’s when things got violent.

The unidentified victim followed Moya into the second car to try to get his things back, only to be attacked and pounded by several men in the group as they scattered and hid his bags.

The footage shows the victim then being shoved and slugged repeatedly by the group — until he has enough and pulls out a long knife and slashes his attackers, wounding at least two.

The cowardly thugs then scatter — one is seen stumbling away, bleeding from his wounds — as the victim stands in the middle of the empty subway car, still clutching the knife.

Queens prosecutors said Moya was killed and defendant Phillipe Pena was wounded.

Pena, 26, Walter, 29, and two others — Jose Valencia, 35, and Henry Toapanta, 32 — have been indicted by a grand jury on robbery and assault charges in the incident. The DA’s office said all of the suspects are also homeless.

“Our subways must be safe for the millions of people who depend on public transportation,” Katz said in her statement. “The New York City subway system has been outfitted with cameras and the video recovered in this case is vital to our prosecution.”

The incident comes amid a recent jump in subway violence and has similarities to earlier instances when straphangers fought back against transit thugs.

Most notable is the case of Daniel Penny, a Marine who was acquitted in the chokehold death of vagrant Jordan Neely on a Manhattan F train in 2023.

If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is then no recourse left but in the exertion of that original right of self-defense which is paramount to all positive forms of government, and which against the usurpations of the national rulers may be exerted with infinitely better prospect of success than against those of the rulers of an individual State.
–Alexander Hamilton

Man shot, killed during attempted break-in; police say intruder’s behavior was bizarre

ENGLEWOOD — A man was shot and killed after reportedly trying to break into someone’s home early Friday.

As reported on News Center 7 at 6, the shooting happened around 2 a.m. in the 600 block of Overla Boulevard in Englewood.

A couple heard someone trying to break in, they prepared to defend themselves and gunfire happened while one of them was calling 911. A caller told dispatchers that her boyfriend heard someone trying to break in and he went to grab his gun.

On the call, you hear a confrontation and gunshots.

Englewood police crews pulled up during the call. They found the alleged intruder on the ground in the home’s side yard. The police said the man who lived at the home thought the intruder had left and checked his backyard shed. He then walked toward the street to see if his car had been broken into.

“He was confronted by the suspect. The suspect came toward him. He, in fear for his life, fired three shots from this firearm,” Englewood Police Chief Corey Follick said.

The man killed was identified as 43-year-old Matthew Culham. Follick said his actions were unusual for a burglar. “Most burglars, if they determine the home is occupied, once they’re detected they flee the area,” he said.

Follick said the evidence gathered at the scene did support the couple’s version of what happened. Police can’t explain Culham’s actions at this time. “That’s why we had to wait for toxicology reports to see if anything else is factored into that as well,” Follick said.

Englewood barely has one homicide a year over the last decade, making the shooting even more unusual.

We will continue to follow this story.

Security Guard claims deadly New Year’s Eve shooting was self defense

PHILADELPHIA, PA — A man was fatally shot Tuesday night in the Germantown neighborhood after allegedly charging at a security guard with a knife, police said.

Officers from the 14th District responded to a report of a “Person with a Gun” at the 5500 block of Germantown Avenue at approximately 8:15 p.m. Upon arrival, they found an unresponsive Black male with a gunshot wound to the chest and multiple self-inflicted stab wounds.

The victim was transported to Jefferson Einstein Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m.

According to police, the armed security guard for a banquet hall in the area told officers he acted in self-defense after the decedent approached him with a knife. The security guard remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.

No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing under the Homicide Unit.

A Group of Texas Kids Tried to Rob a Man at Gunpoint. He Shot Them Instead

A group of Texas kids allegedly tried to rob a man at gunpoint at an apartment complex, only to be met with gunfire from the victim, leading to injuries and hospitalizations.

On Dec. 23 around midnight, authorities responded to a call about a shooting at a Houston apartment complex, Click 2 Houston reported.

When they arrived, deputies found three juveniles with gunshot wounds and a fourth uninjured child.

The target of the alleged robbery was allegedly approached by the group of children, who threatened him with what appeared to be firearms. The man, reportedly fearing for his life, pulled out his own weapon and began firing at them, as reported by KHOU.

As investigators pieced together the details, authorities believe that the children had planned to rob the man using weapons they initially presented as real. While authorities recovered several guns at the scene, it remains unclear whether the children’s weapons were real firearms or BB guns.

Despite their ages, the children were allegedly part of a larger group attempting to carry out the robbery.

The adult involved, identified as the victim/shooter, stayed on the scene and fully cooperated with law enforcement.

Three of the children, aged 12 to 14, were shot and taken to the hospital with one in critical condition. The fourth child and the man involved were detained for questioning.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation, and charges against both the juveniles and the man involved are still under review.