Disabled Man Fatally Shoots Intruder

[Wildscar]

This is a good one. Dont underestimate anyone.

Police: Disabled Man Fatally Shoots Intruder
http://www.nbc5i.com/news/14429020/deta ... w&psp=news

DALLAS -- Dallas police said a physically disabled man stifled a burglary attempt Friday morning.

Police said four people knocked on the door of a unit at the Village Oaks apartments in the 3500 block of East Overton Road in Oak Cliff at about 1:30 a.m. A female resident opened the door and the men tried to force their way in.

One of the intruders went inside while the woman who lives there fought off the other three. A wheelchair user who also lives there wrestled a firearm from the other intruder and shot him twice in the chest, police said.

The intruder – who police said had drugs and cash on him – died shortly after arriving at Baylor Medical Center. The other three escaped, leaving a shotgun near the scene.

Police said this is a “perfect case� of self-defense.

“During a fight for survival, he disarmed one of the suspects, fought for his own personal protection and safety,� Lt. Rick Rivas said

[AEA]

Another one bites the dust!

At this rate....Dallas will be cleaned up pretty quickly!

[longtooth]

Many wheelchair bound people have extreemly good upper body strength. This does not surprise me that one was able to overpower the Home invaders. They were not "Intruders."

News reporters be ware of how you speak of a wheel chair bound person defending themselves.

[SigM4]

Wow, I know that it sounds horrible, but thats great. Not that I want someone to be put into a situation where they'd have to use force to defend themselves, but at least the recent string of attacks has been going in favor of the homeowners. And from the police comment, sounds like they're silently supportive of such actions.

My only conern is; is the frequency of these types of shootings going up because homeowners are more willing to defend themselves with deadly force, or is it a sheer production of an overall increase in home invasions?

[seamusTX]

My only conern is; is the frequency of these types of shootings going up because homeowners are more willing to defend themselves with deadly force, or is it a sheer production of an overall increase in home invasions?

There are something like 50-100* defensive shootings a year nationwide. It's such a small number that it is subject to a lot of statistical variation.

Having said that, it seems like forcible home invasions (as opposed to burglary by stealth) is increasing. Gangs are getting bolder.

*P.S.: I don't have good statistics on this number. CDC data shows about 300 deaths and 800 injuries per year from use of firearms in "legal intervention," but that includes law-enforcement action. You can play with the data here: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars/

- Jim

[longtooth]

Increase in home invasions.
One of my recient conversations w/ a local LEO was:
His oppinion:
Home invasions are going up in this area, all over Texas, & he believes across the nation.
Reason: Convenience stores have very little available cash, "after the fact evidence camers" (not security cameras: dont forget this)
Most of those folks get caught through crime stoppers programs.
Home invasion offers behind closed doors opportunity after they get in.
MANY homes have a cash stash, jewlery, electronics, guns,... a lot of stuff that will fence fast.

Yep, stands to reason. This is the reason I home carry too.

[flintknapper]

Many wheelchair bound people have extreemly good upper body strength. This does not surprise me that one was able to overpower the Home invaders. They were not "Intruders."

News reporters be ware of how you speak of a wheel chair bound person defending themselves.

Roger that!

I will not give the last name, but a fellow that works at the local Wal-Mart here (Donnie) came to the dojo about 5 years ago to see if we could teach him some empty hands techniques that would benefit him.

No problem, part of the training in Shen Chuan at black belt level is defense/offense from disadvantaged positions. We were happy to take what would apply and teach him.

I worked with him quite a bit for the 2 months he came for instruction.

One of the first things I noticed was his "vise like" grip, next thing...was his upper body strength (and his understanding of how to use it).

We didn't baby him (he asked us not to). We took him to the ground (hard), and made him fight from there as well. He did real well and I couldn't be prouder of him. He has a keen fighting spirit.

[seamusTX]

MANY homes have a cash stash, jewlery, electronics, guns,... a lot of stuff that will fence fast.

Home invasions also give the robbers an opportunity to force homeowners to go to an ATM and withdraw cash, keys for vehicles readily available, and, unfortunately, rape.

- Jim

[mr surveyor]

that's THE reason I home carry. I've seen the size 10 foot print on my back door, lost a lot of stuff, and paid for a lot of damage.... not to mention several years later having 3 riding mowers stolen in a two year period (that were heavily chained to trees). I have not been mugged or physically threatened in public. Yep, I home carry, and have "plants" at each end of the house. The part of our 1986 home invasion that is really worrisom is that my aged mother-in-law could have very well been in the house at the time, even though no vehicles were in the driveway. What would have happened to her?

These people are the worst of the worst. A person that will kick in a door, whether they believe anyone is in the house/building or not, should be considered violent and having intent to do bodily harm to occupants.

[longtooth]

THe worst of the worst is true Mr surveyor.
You are also correct seamus. Good posts gentlemen.

[Skiprr]

And I think this is where we owe another round of applause for SB378. While, even prior, Texas didn't have a requirement to attempt to retreat if in your own home, the new "Castle Doctrine" does a better job of clarifying the law regarding the use of deadly force in just these sorts of circumstances.

In the Oak Cliff example, the biggest mistake--and one that continues to surprise me people will make--is that the female occupant opened the door to strangers...at 1:30 a.m. no less. Especially at night, communicate through the closed and locked door, and not standing right in front of it, either. Better yet, get an intercom system and camera. Forget the peep-hole. If it's someone in authority on legitimate business, they'll let you know and you can confirm. If it's someone who needs help, you can telephone for them and call a tow truck, the fire department, 911, an ambulance, a locksmith, whatever is needed. If you truly think it's one of your neighbors in a critical situation, use your best judgement...but be prepared and be trained before you open that door; and preferably have backup.

This reminds me again the Halloween is coming up.

[Kyle(Houston)]

In the Oak Cliff example, the biggest mistake--and one that continues to surprise me people will make--is that the female occupant opened the door to strangers...at 1:30 a.m. no less. Especially at night, communicate through the closed and locked door, and not standing right in front of it, either. Better yet, get an intercom system and camera. Forget the peep-hole. If it's someone in authority on legitimate business, they'll let you know and you can confirm. If it's someone who needs help, you can telephone for them and call a tow truck, the fire department, 911, an ambulance, a locksmith, whatever is needed. If you truly think it's one of your neighbors in a critical situation, use your best judgement...but be prepared and be trained before you open that door; and preferably have backup.

This reminds me again the Halloween is coming up.

This reminds me of a situation that happened to me years ago.

I lived in an apartment and a fellow knocked at the door at around 10:30 at night. I looked through the peep hole and asked him what he wanted without opening the door. He stated he worked for the complex and had done work in my apartment and had left some tools. He said to open the door so he could get his tools. I told him to tell me where the tools were and I would go get them. He just kept asking me to open the door. So I went and retrieved my pistol from the bedroom(which in hindsight I should have already had). He kept knocking on the door and telling me to open it to get his tools. So I racked the slide hard and loud and told him I was armed and was calling the police.

I watched as he left and saw another man meet up with him as they retreated. So I have no doubt in my mind they would have caused me harm if I opened the door just accepting he was a maintenance worker for the complex.

Anyway...just another example to be safe and be prepared.

[frankie_the_yankee]

My only conern is; is the frequency of these types of shootings going up because homeowners are more willing to defend themselves with deadly force, or is it a sheer production of an overall increase in home invasions?

There are something like 50-100* defensive shootings a year nationwide. It's such a small number that it is subject to a lot of statistical variation.

Having said that, it seems like forcible home invasions (as opposed to burglary by stealth) is increasing. Gangs are getting bolder.

*P.S.: I don't have good statistics on this number. CDC data shows about 300 deaths and 800 injuries per year from use of firearms in "legal intervention," but that includes law-enforcement action. You can play with the data here: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars/

- Jim

I think the numbers are going to be a lot higher this year and are on an uptrend. I base this on just what I read about happening here in TX. Even allowing for the "TX effect", we are still less than 10% of the total population of the USA.

I suspect that some of the increase is due to more crime, but the bulk of it is just because more and more people are refusing to be victims and are fighting back.

And more and more of them are using guns.

Being a BG is getting to be a risky proposition - as it well should be. I think the BG population may not have gotten the message - yet.

[boomerang]

How long until KDFW sends Rebecca Aguilar to ambush the gentleman in the wheelchair?

[carlson1]

There are many times I am confined to my power chair and especially in large places like a Mall, Cabellas, etc. . . I am armed. In fact I practice shooting from sitting in that power chair.