Mother Fatally Shoots Armed Intruder To Protect Her Children

posted on June 9, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

“I hate to see it happened, but that’s what happens when you go into people’s home trying to take their stuff,” Julius Radcliff told Fox 59 News.

Radcliff is the neighbor of a young mother who fatally shot an intruder to defend her children on Wednesday. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department reports the mother heard someone breaking into her apartment—and, when investigating, came face to face with a strange man holding a gun. However, the mother was also carrying a firearm, and she fired first.

The suspect, 19-year-old Michael Hawkins, was struck fatally in the apartment doorway. The shooting is the second in two days where an Indianapolis parent was forced to fire in self-defense: On Tuesday, a father also killed an invader. The mother and children were unharmed, and neighbors are hoping this means criminals will reconsider a break-in. “You have to defend yourself,” said Janice Taylor. “We have laws for that.”

Latest

President George W. Bush
President George W. Bush

Victories & Challenges As The Protection Of Lawful Commerce In Arms Act Turns 20

On October 26, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) into law. In an environment where those on the political left are more eager than ever to wage lawfare to achieve their policy goals, the PLCAA has proven invaluable to preserving the U.S. firearm industry and Americans’ ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

The Armed Citizen® December 16, 2025

Just south of Yellowstone National Park on Oct. 18, 2025, a hunter was hiking through thick timber early one morning when suddenly a male grizzly bear charged at him.

A Must-Read Brief from the DOJ

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an amicus brief in Rhode v. Bonta, a challenge to California’s unconstitutional ammunition background check law.

How Gun-Control Groups Direct the Mainstream Media

Have you ever watched a movie about journalism? You know the genre: Clacking typewriters, babbling newsrooms, hard-bitten editors, intrepid reporters who refuse to take anything at face value.

Open Carry in California?

On January 2, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit struck down California’s ban on open carry in most of the state. The panel decision was 2-1.

Gun Skills | Press Check

Back when I was a new gun owner, I drilled in a habit of checking to be sure my firearm was unloaded, which was also a terrific opportunity to work on gun-handling skills like racking the action and activating the controls.



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.