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80-Year-Old Chicago Man Kills Armed Home Invader
Published May 26, 2010

An 80-year-old Chicago man shot and killed an armed man who broke into his two-story house in a pre-dawn home invasion Wednesday on the city's West Side.

At about 5:20 a.m., the homeowner and his wife, also in her 80s, discovered the intruder entering their home through a back door. The homeowner, who had a gun, confronted and killed the burglar on the doorstep, police said. Cops said the intruder also fired his gun during the struggle.

"It's a good thing they had a gun, or they might be dead," said Curtis Thompson, who lives next door to the couple, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

Neighbors described the elderly couple, who both walk with canes, as pillars of the community in Garfield Park, where home invasions have been all too frequent.

Their neighbor, Shaquite Johnson, told MyFoxChicago that the two are "heroes" for fighting off the attacker — and that the shooting means there is "one less criminal" walking the streets.
"They don't bother no one, so why would anyone do that to them?" she said.

Relatives of the couple told the Sun Times that the man is an Army veteran, his wife a former nurse. Police said neither the man nor the woman was injured in the attack.

The assailant, who was described by police as being in his 30s, was found slumped on the back doorstep of the couple's house, removed four hours after the shooting, the Sun Times reported.

No charges have been filed against the homeowner, but Chicago currently has a statute outlawing the possession of handguns. Its legality is currently being decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

A high-profile Chicago attorney has already stepped forward offering to represent the man pro bono if he faces charges for possessing a weapon.

"Self-defense isn't just a right, it's a duty," said attorney Joel Brodsky. "If this man is prosecuted for saving his own life it's not just a travesty, it's justice turned inside out."

seamusTX wrote:Even Illinois has a castle doctrine. They also have a state law saying that someone who uses a weapon in justified self defense cannot be prosecuted for technical weapons violations (other than federal felon-in-possession, which the state can do nothing about).

I will bet the best lunch in town that the guy will not be prosecuted. Mayor Daley does not want another test case. The defender's weapon will disappear into the Black Hole of Evidence, and you won't hear anything more.

I am hoping the Illinois State Rifle Association sets up fund to provide him with a new shotgun, but they have not yet done so.

- Jim

Parolee Anthony Woods was arrested by Chicago police for the 38th time on Tuesday night -- this time for locking a pit bull in his trunk and possession of a dangerous dog by a felon.

seamusTX wrote:BTW, nowhere did I see mention of a handgun.

seamusTX wrote:Under U.S. law, a dead person cannot be charged with a crime. That kind of thing went out of fashion right about when they quit burning witches.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:Under U.S. law, a dead person cannot be charged with a crime. That kind of thing went out of fashion right about when they quit burning witches.

- Jim

Liberty wrote:

seamusTX wrote:Under U.S. law, a dead person cannot be charged with a crime. That kind of thing went out of fashion right about when they quit burning witches.

- Jim

Seems as if they can vote in Chicago they should be to be charged with crimes.