A man in Dale County, Ala., called 911 early in the morning on April 6, reporting a burglary in progress. The man was on the phone with dispatch when a stranger broke through his exterior window and started to enter the home. The homeowner shot the suspect, striking him in the head. The wounded man was taken to a local hospital and listed in critical condition. The Dale Country District Attorney’s Office said it did not anticipate bringing any charges against the homeowner. (al.com, Montgomery, Ala., 4/6/22)
When a woman in Citrus County, Fla., stumbled into her home in the early morning hours of April 2 with significant injuries, her roommate tried to assist her and find out what happened. As the roommate attempted to help, however, the man who had caused her injuries forced his way into the home and attacked him. Fortunately, the roommate was able to retrieve his firearm and fatally shoot the assailant. Investigations later revealed that the 36-year-old attacker had a criminal history of violence against a different woman and had conspired to have that woman and a four-year-old living with her murdered. (chronicleonline.com, Crystal River, Fla., 4/4/22 and 4/5/22)
A property owner in Houston, Texas, went to check on his property because he was worried about a rash of break-ins around the area. He looked inside and saw a man. The homeowner was on the phone with 911 when the burglar, who was armed with a knife, came out and charged at him. The armed citizen defended himself by shooting the suspect in the chest. The injured man was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. According to detectives, the suspect had taken cash from the home before he was caught. (cbsaustin.com, Austin, Texas, 3/16/22, and khou.com, Houston, Texas, 3/15/22)
