Amarillo: Man fires shots at burglar, struck

Paladin · Post by **Paladin** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 2:40 pm

http://www.amarillo.com/stories/100406/ ... 0706.shtml

"Web-posted Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Man fires shots at burglar, struck by unknown object

By Phillip Yates
phillip.yates@amarillo.com

A man suffered injuries when he was struck with an unknown weapon after he reportedly shot at a burglar who was trying to break into his car late Monday.

According to the Amarillo Police Department, Michael Ray Howard heard a disturbance in the front yard of his home in the 4800 block of Southwest 57th Avenue about 10:40 p.m., and, when he went outside, he saw a person attempting to break into his vehicle.

When Howard approached his vehicle, the burglar displayed some type of weapon, police said, and Howard then fired one shot at the burglar with a handgun.

When Howard fired his gun, another man then struck Howard in the back of the head.

The burglar and the other man then fled from the scene, police said.

It is unknown if the burglar was struck by gunfire, police said.

Howard was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

APD Cpl. Jerry Neufeld said police will present their investigation to the Randall County Criminal District Attorney's Office to determine whether any charges will be filed in the incident."

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Looks like Mr Howard was luck he didn't get killed. Fortunately it sounds like he'll be okay.

cyphur · Post by **cyphur** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 3:07 pm

Sounds like he needs to hit the range a bit more often then.

stevie_d_64 · Post by **stevie_d_64** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 3:09 pm

APD Cpl. Jerry Neufeld said police will present their investigation to the Randall County Criminal District Attorney's Office to determine whether any charges will be filed in the incident."

Charges filed against whom??? (Steve shakes his head in disgust)

Sure is a case the where you must keep yer head on a swivel...Should have seen and heard the guy who bonked him on the head coming!

spud · Post by **spud** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:14 pm

cyphur wrote:Sounds like he needs to hit the range a bit more often then.

What does that have to do with is buddy and the 2x4? If he was a better shot he would have droped that guy and when his buddy knocked you out. You most likely whould have been killed with your own gun.

Just because you have a gun, dosent mean nothing changes. You have to be more aware of your area. He should have scaned the area before running up on that guy.

Just my 2cents.

Jungle Work · Post by **Jungle Work** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:37 pm

Spud's

You have to be more aware of your area. He should have scaned the area before running up on that guy.

+1
First thing I though when I read this story in the Globe News.

Jungle Work

cyphur · Post by **cyphur** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:54 pm

spud wrote:
cyphur wrote:Sounds like he needs to hit the range a bit more often then.
What does that have to do with is buddy and the 2x4? If he was a better shot he would have droped that guy and when his buddy knocked you out. You most likely whould have been killed with your own gun.

Just because you have a gun, dosent mean nothing changes. You have to be more aware of your area. He should have scaned the area before running up on that guy.

Just my 2cents.

In complete agreement there - my only question - Where did the bullet go?

Doesn't sound like there was a blood trail. Didn't hit his truck. So...?

phddan · Post by **phddan** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:05 pm

Without knowing more details, I'm not going to chastize Mr. Howard yet.

When Howard fired his gun, another man then struck Howard in the back of the head.

Might of been thug #2 was swinging weapon while Mr. Howard was squeezing the trigger.

It is unknown if the burglar was struck by gunfire, police said.

Hopefully it wasn't a warning shot!! Maybe just a burst of adrenaline.

APD Cpl. Jerry Neufeld said police will present their investigation to the Randall County Criminal District Attorney's Office to determine whether any charges will be filed in the incident."

Kind of hard to file charges when the thugs haven't been caught.

Dan

Glockamolie · Post by **Glockamolie** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:07 pm

Watch your six. And your 3 and your 9.

Paladin · Post by **Paladin** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:12 am

One of the thugs may have acted as a distraction while the other circled behind Mr. Howard. Mr. Howard reacted to the Thug who breaking into the vehicle displaying a weapon, which might have been coordinated with the other one hitting Mr. Howard from behind.

Obviously, going outside alone in the dark can be dangerous. It's important to be aware that there can be more than one bad guys. Going with a flashlight is better, and having some training on how to search is good to have.

I've got Gabe Suarez's book, The Tactical Advantage, which is a great book on the subject.

Rex B · Post by **Rex B** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 2:24 pm

Some good motion-sensor lights on the driveway would have helped greatly.