A 60-year-old Michigan man who shot another man who attacked him with a shovel acted in self-defense, authorities said.
The incident happened around 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the 1200 block of Douglas Avenue in Kalamazoo.
Police say a 60-year-old man returned a ladder to a home in the 1100 block of Douglas when he was approached by a 49-year-old man holding a snow shovel and told to leave the area. The 49-year-old then shoved the 60-year-old and hit him with the shovel, causing a minor injury, police said.
During the alleged assault, the 60-year-old fired two rounds, hitting the 49-year-old twice, before calling police and waiting for officers to arrive.
The man who was shot was taken to an area hospital, where he is in stable condition, police said.
Police recovered the shovel used in the assault, two 9mm shell casings and a handgun.
The man who fired the shots is cooperating with police and used a handgun that is legally owned and registered. Investigators say video obtained by detectives supports the man’s account of the incident.
An investigation is ongoing and will be sent to the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Two men were shot and killed after another man said they followed him to a neighborhood in the Spring area, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the shooter told them he acted in self-defense in the shooting Friday night in the 22100 block of Greengate Drive.
First responders said they found two men with gunshot wounds, one of whom died at the scene, and the other was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said the shooter reported that the men had followed his car for a while and tried to block him when he reached the neighborhood.
Deputies reported that everyone got out of their vehicles, and the shooter said the men started kicking him and his car.
According to HCSO, the shooter stayed at the scene and is cooperating with investigators.
HCSO identified the men who died as 57-year-old Timothy Underwood and 59-year-old Keith McDonald.
HCSO said no charges have been filed, and the shooter is not in custody. The case is still under investigation and will be reviewed by the District Attorney’s office.
Four people trying to break into a Kendall home were met with gunfire Saturday evening, leaving one of the suspects fatally shot by the homeowner, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office officials said.
The attempted burglary happened just before 7 p.m. at a home near Southwest 141st Street and 110th Avenue. Detectives told NBC6 the homeowner was inside the home and opened fire when the four suspects tried to force their way into the home.
“I heard two shots,” said a neighbor who added that he had never seen gun violence in the neighborhood before.
One suspect was shot in the upper extremities, police said. That person later died at the hospital.
The other three people fled the scene and remain on the run.
A south suburban teenager who raps under the name “4 Block Lil Mari” has been jailed after prosecutors accused him of shooting a woman during a botched South Shore carjacking that ended with the victim, a concealed carry holder, shooting him as well.
Kamari Bonslater, 17, of Steger, was already on pretrial release for allegedly possessing a machine gun and a stolen vehicle at the time of the shooting, prosecutors said.
The charges stem from a failed carjacking on September 7 in the 6700 block of South Cregier. Chicago police initially described the incident as a drive-by shooting that left a 16-year-old boy in critical condition with three gunshot wounds and a 34-year-old woman shot twice in the leg. It now turns out that Bonslater, who has since celebrated his 17th birthday, was the critically wounded teen.
According to a detention petition, the episode did not play out the way CPD first believed.
Instead, prosecutors say, the victim, a 34-year-old woman, and a 31-year-old female companion were sitting in the victim’s parked car when “multiple individuals” approached and struck up a “brief conversation.”
Prosecutors said Bonslater tried to yank open the passenger door while pointing a gun at the women. The victim, a licensed concealed carry holder, reached for her own firearm, prompting Bonslater to shoot her in the leg before she returned fire, hitting him multiple times, according to prosecutors. She then sped away from the scene.
The victim’s companion later told police she recognized the gunman as a local rapper and provided his stage name: 4 Block Lil Mari.
Bonslater was found near the scene with multiple gunshot wounds. Surveillance footage shows him standing by the victim’s car at the moment shots were fired and collapsing as the vehicle sped away, prosecutors said.
The video also shows several accomplices carrying him into an alley. Officials said Bonslater and at least two of those accomplices, who remain at large, fired at the fleeing car.
Bonslater, who has the word “Murda” tattooed on his neck, is charged with attempted second-degree murder, attempted vehicular hijacking, and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon.
Judge Susana Ortiz ordered him detained pending trial.
Bonslater is the 20th person charged with killing or trying to kill someone in Chicago this year while on felony pretrial release. Those crimes involved 38 victims, nine of whom died.
The “not horrible” series
This report continues our coverage of individuals accused of killing, shooting, or trying to kill or shoot others on pretrial release for a felony allegation. CWBChicago began our series of reports in November 2019 after Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans publicly stated, “We haven’t had any horrible incidents occur” under the court’s bond reform initiative.
The actual number of murders and shootings committed by people awaiting trial for felony allegations is undoubtedly much higher than the numbers seen here. Since 2017, CPD has brought charges in less than 5% of non-fatal shootings and 33% of murders, according to the city’s data. You can see all of the “not horrible” stories here.
A Grand Prairie homeowner shot and killed a burglar in self-defense inside his house early Sunday, police said. Officers responded to the 400 block of Santa Margarita Street about 2 a.m. on a suspicious person’s call, Grand Prairie police said in a news release.
The homeowner, who called 911, told police that an unknown person forcefully entered the back door of his home, police said. The homeowner, described as an elderly man, was armed with a hunting rifle and confronted the burglary suspect “who was rummaging through property inside the house,” police said.
The resident, “fearing for his life,” shot the burglar who died at the scene, police said. The shooting is being investigated as self-defense and no charges are expected on the homeowner, police said. The person who died will be identified by Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Officer after next of kin have been notified.
On Sept. 5, just before 5:30 p.m., Elijah Lais shot and killed 21-year-old Javier Lagarda-Govea in the parking lot of a Walmart Supercenter near the intersection of West 11th Avenue and Commercial Street.
Lagarda-Govea was reaching for a loaded handgun tucked into his waistband while he pursued Lais and his stepson as they ran to their truck in the parking lot. Lais got his gun from his truck and pulled the trigger first.
That’s the conclusion of Lane County District Attorney Christopher Parosa’s investigation into the shooting, which involved reviewing surveillance and cell phone videos and witness accounts, which Parosa said confirmed Lais and his stepson’s recollection of what happened that day.
Parosa announced Nov. 20 the shooting was self-defense.
What happened at the West 11th Avenue Walmart
A few days before the shooting, on the afternoon of Sept. 2, Lais, his stepson, and his stepson’s attorney were at the Lane County Courthouse for a court date. While they were standing outside on the south side of the courthouse, two men approached in a black SUV. One of them got out and verbally accosted them, stating something along the lines of “I’m gonna blow your head off,” Parosa said in a written statement.
The day of the shooting, Lais and his stepson were inside the Walmart Supercenter when they again encountered the three men, who began to cuss at the pair and call them racial slurs.
Parosa said as Lais and his stepson were leaving the store, Lais realized the three men were following them and told his stepson to run ahead to their truck parked outside. The stepson confirmed to investigators he ran to the truck and locked himself inside. Lagarda-Govea began to run after the stepson but Lais pushed Lagarda-Govea to the ground.
Lais ran to the driver’s side of his truck and noticed Lagarda-Govea get up and reach for his waistband, pulling a loaded firearm. Lais grabbed his own firearm from the driver’s side door and shot Lagarda-Govea. After he was shot, Lagarda-Govea’s firearm fell out of his hands onto the ground. Lais kicked it away.
“Mr. Lais’ stepson also stated that Mr. Lagarda-Govea was grabbing for his firearm as he chased him toward his stepfather’s truck, and that Lais would ultimately shoot Mr. Lagarda-Govea when as close as an arm’s length apart from Mr. Lais,” Parosa said.
Lais called 911, remained on scene and was cooperative with police throughout the investigation.
The other two men who accompanied Lagarda-Govea immediately fled the scene but were later identified. Police found another loaded firearm belonging to one of the individuals in a field near the Walmart after the shooting.
In making his final decision, Parosa cited ORS 161.205, which states the use of physical force on another person that would otherwise constitute an offense is justifiable and not criminal in self-defense or in defending a third person, in defending property, in making an arrest, or in preventing an escape. He also cited ORS 161.219, which states a person is not justified in using deadly physical force unless the person reasonably believes the other person is committing or attempting to commit a felony involving the use of physical force, a burglary in a dwelling, or about to use unlawful deadly physical force against a person.
SEATTLE — Seattle police are investigating an attempted armed carjacking in the Belltown-Queen Anne area that resulted in a legally armed victim shooting two suspects early Sunday morning.
The incident unfolded around 3:30 a.m. on the 2200 block of 1st Avenue.
Officers responding to the scene found one suspect suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect was detained and received medical aid from firefighters before being taken to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition, where he remains under armed guard.
The victim, whom police called a “licensed gun owner,” was also detained for questioning.
According to police, the victim had parked his sports car along 1st Avenue when a white sedan with four masked occupants approached. After a brief exchange, two men armed with guns attempted to steal the sports car.
Fearing for his safety, the victim fired multiple rounds, hitting one of the suspects.
The other suspects fled in the sedan before police arrived. Later, the white sedan dropped off a second suspect at Harborview Medical Center, also suffering from a gunshot wound. This suspect is in serious condition and under armed guard as well, the SPD says.
The vehicle and its remaining occupants left the hospital before police could arrive.
Officers and robbery detectives processed the scene, collected evidence, and interviewed witnesses. The victim was taken to Seattle Police Headquarters for further questioning by detectives before being released.
The investigation remains open and active, with the Robbery Unit leading the case.
(WBFF) — The Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office ruled that the fatal shooting of a suspected burglar by a jewelry store owner was an act of self-defense.
The decision, announced Monday by City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, follows a review by the office’s homicide unit.
The incident happened on Oct. 16, just after 2 a.m., when the store owner, who lives above the business on Fleet Street in Canton, opened fire on 39-year-old Richard Rolfe, killing him.
Christine Wilson, a neighbor, recalled the early morning gunfire. “I heard it right outside my window. And so, kind of nervous about, called 911,” she said.
Under Maryland law, self-defense or defense of habitation can be claimed by meeting several factors, including:
If a suspect attempts to enter a property
The owner believes the suspect intends to commit a crime leading to death or serious injury
The owner reasonably believes force is necessary.
The investigation revealed that the store owner believed Rolfe was armed, although it was later found that Rolfe did not have a gun. “Based on the facts of this case, we believe that this shooting meets the requirements of self-defense in the state of Maryland,” Bates said.
Wilson expressed relief at the decision, saying, “That is fantastic news. That is great news for all of us in this neighborhood.” She added, “It’s sad that a life had to be lost at all and there are people grieving for that person. So, it’s not really a celebration but it’s just like, ok, great, the system works.”
The store owner, who declined an on-camera interview, did say he was relieved and satisfied with the ruling.
On October 31st, 2025, around 11:50 p.m., Officers responded to a shooting at the Crossing at Silver Oaks Apartments near 71st and Yale.
The caller reported they heard around 20 gunshots, then saw a man down on the ground with a gun next to him police said.
Officers arrived and found 20-year-old Jamond Silas dead in front of the apartment doors.
On the scene, a man came forward and said he shot Silas. According to authorities the man said he was inside an apartment when Silas kicked in the door and entered the apartment, and the man said he shot Silas in self-defense.
The man was questioned by police and released pending further investigation.
Previous Story:
Tulsa Police say a person is dead after being shot during what police believe to be a break-in attempt Friday night.
Officers say someone inside the home shot and killed the intruder.
This happened at a residence near 71st and Yale.
Police say the person responsible for the shooting stayed at the scene, was questioned by officers, and was released pending further investigation.
A deadly shooting unfolded in Texas Friday when an off-duty Harris County deputy opened fire on a man who allegedly tried to get into his car, as his young child sat just feet away.
The shooting happened at about 2:45 p.m. Friday in Atascocita, about 20 miles northeast of downtown Houston, after an off-duty deputy called 911 to tell them he had someone at gunpoint, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
Maj. Ben Katrib said the deputy had just placed his child in a car seat when an unknown man, later identified as Darrius Williams, 27, allegedly attempted to get into his car.
First responders provided aid at the scene, but the suspect later died at the hospital. (Mark Herman, Harris County Constable Precinct 4)
The deputy was heard giving multiple verbal commands to Williams, but he allegedly ignored the warnings and opened the passenger door of the deputy’s car.
Katrib said the deputy opened fire, hitting Williams multiple times.
First responders provided aid, but Williams was later pronounced dead at the hospital, FOX 26 Houston reported.
The shooting happened outside the off-duty deputy’s home, according to officials. Officials said the deputy, who has not been publicly identified, and his child are OK.
It is unclear if Williams had any weapons at the time of the alleged intrusion, or how many times he was shot, according to the report.
Officials said the deputy has not yet been charged in connection to the shooting, as authorities continue to investigate.
“Last night they picked him up for walking into oncoming traffic and ran his name. So he had a warrant for failure to appear from the last episode,” Tieneeshia Williams said. “The officer called me when she was there with him on the scene and asked me a lot of questions, and I said, ‘Ma’am, why don’t you just take him to the psychiatric ward. He’s walking into traffic.’ She said, ‘Oh no, we’re going to deal with this warrant, he’s going to jail.'”
Sources told FOX 26 Ring camera video footage may have captured the incident.
The sheriff’s office and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office have opened separate investigations into the incident, according to the report.
When the investigation concludes, the DA’s office will present the findings to a grand jury to determine whether charges will be filed.
A man was shot during a fight at a home on East 71st Street in Savannah on Saturday afternoon.
What’s Happening: Police say 46-year-old Keith King got into a fight with a woman at a home in the 1200 block of East 71st Street around 1:50 p.m. on Oct. 26. The woman shot King in what police believe was self-defense.
What’s Important: King survived the shooting and was taken to Memorial Health University Medical Center. His injuries are not life-threatening. Police charged him with simple assault and criminal trespass.
What’s Next: The Savannah Police Department is still investigating the shooting. Anyone with information can call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or submit an anonymous tip through the SPD mobile app.
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. —
A man was fatally shot after he kicked in the door to a South Carolina apartment, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies said the shooting happened about 10:30 p.m. Sunday along Bayfield Road.
When deputies arrived, they said they found a man with a gunshot wound. That man later died at the hospital. His name has not been released.
Deputies said they also spoke to the shooter who said the man kicked in the door of the apartment and so the shooter grabbed a gun and shot him.
On Wednesday, investigators closed the case after determining that the shooting is a justifiable homicide.
An investigation is underway after a customer shot and killed a man inside a Compton store who was reportedly threatening customers after groping a female victim, officials announced.
The Oct. 19 incident, according to a news release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, occurred just before 3:30 p.m. in the 1300 block of Alondra Boulevard, near the intersection of Poinsettia Avenue.
A preliminary investigation revealed that an unidentified man followed a female customer into a beauty supply store and groped her, prompting employees at the establishment to demand he leave the premises.
“The male became increasingly verbally assaultive toward employees and customers, “the release noted. “He started throwing and damaging merchandise in the store. The incident escalated rapidly.”
While the man was reportedly threatening to kill and harm customers and employees, witnesses told investigators that they believed he was armed with a knife.
“A second customer in the store, fearing for the store employees, herself and other customers, retrieved a personal firearm and fired a warning at the male,” investigators said. “The male turned toward that customer, fearing she was going to be attacked, fired a second shot striking the male.”
L.A. deputies and personnel with the Compton Fire Department responded to the scene where the man was pronounced dead by paramedics.
In footage of the investigation posted to the Citizen App, a large presence of deputies could be seen at the location, which was cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape, well into the evening hours.
Based on video evidence viewed by authorities, they believe there were additional witnesses inside the store and in the parking lot when the ordeal happened and asking anyone who may have information to come forward and contact LASD’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
Authorities did not provide any information on the customer who shot the man, nor did they report any arrests, though they said the investigation is ongoing.
A resident shot and wounded an armed man who broke into his Miami Gardens house Monday morning in what police are calling a home invasion. The man shot was one of three men who entered the residence at 3035 NW 204th Terrace around 11:45 a.m., police said.
Armed with a rifle, he opened the bedroom door before the resident grabbed a gun and fired, striking him in the arm, according to police.
The other two men fled. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue paramedics took the wounded man to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital.
Police, who said the alleged intruder’s condition was unknown as of Monday afternoon, have not released his name.
The shooting remains under investigation, and police did not immediately respond to follow up questions asking if the resident will face charges.
A man who shot an intruder as he entered his home armed with a semi-automatic rifle Monday morning acted in self-defense, Miami Gardens police concluded.
And the man shot is now in jail facing attempted murder and home invasion charges, per his arrest report.
Around 11:40 p.m., Miami Gardens police say 18-year-old Ezekiel Manthon Leatherwood and three other men walked up to a woman sitting in her car in front of a house, at the 3000 block of NW 204th Terrace. They were armed, wearing masks and all-black clothing.
They demanded money from the woman and then forced her to let them inside the house, according to the report. A man in the house, who police did not name in Leatherwood’s arrest report, heard the woman scream and grabbed his gun, the report states.
Leatherwood kicked in the bedroom door armed with what police say was an AR-15-style rifle. When the door opened, the man, who is the woman’s boyfriend, opened fire, hitting Leatherwood in the arm, the report reads.
The other three men ran out of the house. The man held Leatherwood at gunpoint until police arrived. Before cops got there, the other men, who were near the front door, yelled at the man, demanding that he let Leatherwood go.
In response, police said the man fired shots at the men, who got into a car and drove off.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue paramedics took Leatherwood to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital to be treated for the gunshot wound. Police eventually arrested and booked him into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Police said in their report that Leatherwood made an admission, but his statements were redacted.
As of Tuesday, a judge had not set bond on the charges.
Chicago police are investigating after a concealed carry holder reported shooting a man who tried to run him over with his own stolen car Sunday morning in South Shore.
The licensed gun owner called 911 around 7:14 a.m. and reported that two men had just stolen his blue 2023 Acura and attempted to hit him with it in an alley behind the 6800 block of South Cornell Avenue.
Less than five minutes later, a 23-year-old man arrived at the University of Chicago Medical Center with a gunshot wound to his lower back. He was taken directly into surgery and was listed in critical condition.
Officers recovered three shell casings in the alley where the shooting occurred and questioned the concealed carry license holder on Sunday morning.
No charges had been announced against anyone as of Sunday evening.
A deadly stabbing at a Southgate Kroger on Oct. 7 resulted in the death of 23-year-old Ramon Vazquez after an altercation with 33-year-old Charles Hinton. Vazquez attacked Hinton, who then stabbed Vazquez twice in self-defense, according to prosecutors. Hinton will not be charged for the stabbing but faces charges for carrying a concealed weapon, as he illegally possessed the knife used in the incident. Hinton is set to be arraigned on Oct. 11.
No charges will be filed after a shooting left one person dead in Buncombe County, North Carolina, on Wednesday.
Around 6 p.m., deputies with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance call at a home on Kreston Drive in the Bear Creek community.
When deputies arrived, they found 55-year-old William Jennings Bryan Clay III dead.
According to authorities, it was determined that deadly force was used in self-defense and in self-defense of others within the home.
“This case highlights how the dedication of BCSO personnel to impartial fact finding empowers those who act lawfully in self-defense,” Captain Chris Stockton said. “This incident has forever changed the lives of several community members. Again, our hearts go out to them as they navigate this complex time.”
LIVINGSTON PARISH, LA (KPEL) —The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the Albany area after receiving reports of a shooting.
Deputies arrived on scene around 3 pm Tuesday, where they discovered a man who had been shot suffering from a leg wound. He was brought to a local hospital where he recieved treatment and has been confirmed to be in stable condition.
The other individual was detained for questioning, and investigators learned that the wounded individual was attempting to set a home on fire by pouring gasoline on the floor, with someone inside.
At that point, the individual who was initially detained by police fired a shot, striking the other individual to prevent him from starting the house fire.
Our investigation points to the shooter acting in self-defense.
Wednesday afternoon, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s office confirmed that he was active and that the shot fired was an attempt to prevent a house fire.
During our investigation, it was learned prior to being shot, the person with the gunshot wound had poured gasoline on the house floor & was attempting to set it ablaze with someone inside. The shot was fired in an attempt to stop that from happening.
The wounded individual now faces an Attempted Aggravated Arson charge. The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is ongoing.
The identity of both individuals involved has not been released at this time.
SAYRE, PA — A deadly altercation unfolded Friday afternoon in a Sayre home when a man was forced to defend himself against a violent and prolonged assault by his wife’s ex-husband, resulting in a fatal shooting.
According to the Athens Township Police Department, officers responded to a report of gunfire at 210 Vista Drive at approximately 3:40 p.m. on October 3, 2025. Upon arrival, officers found 59-year-old John J. Kraus suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported by Greater Valley EMS to Robert Packer Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Police say the incident began when 57-year-old David Hancock and his wife—Kraus’s ex-wife—were visiting Kraus’s mother at the residence. Both were inside the home by invitation.
Without warning or provocation, Kraus reportedly attacked Hancock in the living room, slamming him to the floor and knocking over furniture. Witnesses stated that Kraus pinned Hancock and repeatedly punched him in the head and face. Kraus then grabbed a nearby picture frame and continued striking Hancock, breaking the frame and glass in the process.
Despite being severely injured and bleeding from the head, Hancock remained pinned under Kraus. Hancock told police he believed Kraus intended to kill him, prompting him to draw his legally concealed firearm and shoot Kraus twice in self-defense.
Responding officers observed Hancock bleeding heavily from the head and holding a blood-soaked shirt to his injuries. He was also treated at Robert Packer Hospital.
Police confirmed that Hancock and all witnesses remained on scene and fully cooperated with the investigation. The case remains under review, but initial findings suggest the use of deadly force was consistent with Pennsylvania law, which permits such action when a person reasonably believes it is necessary to protect themselves from death or serious bodily injury.
Thankfully, Hancock was armed and able to draw his concealed handgun while under a brutal and sustained attack. Although Kraus was unarmed in the conventional sense, he used an improvised weapon—a picture frame with glass—to repeatedly strike Hancock in the head while pinning him to the floor. The force and nature of the assault, combined with Hancock’s visible injuries, highlight why Pennsylvania law permits the use of deadly force in self-defense when faced with an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm. This case serves as a stark reminder that a deadly threat does not require a firearm—violent intent and the means to cause serious injury can justify a defensive response.
