Just before 6 p.m. on March 7, a 37-year-old man reportedly forced entry into a Reading, Pa., apartment. When confronted by some of the occupants, he allegedly attacked two of them, prompting one of the people in the home to shoot him. The man fled but was soon found by responding police; he was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg and faces charges related to criminal trespass and assault. Reports indicated that the man had also attempted entry into another apartment before entering this one. No charges are expected against the armed citizen. (wfmz.com, Allentown, Pa., 3/8/24)
A 39-year-old man broke into an elderly woman’s home in Blackfoot, Idaho, around noon on March 13 and assaulted her. However, despite her injuries, the woman was able to defend herself with a firearm, shooting and killing the man. The woman was transported to the hospital but was expected to recover. The sheriff’s office noted, “She was harmed but protected herself. … We would like to also thank an amazing community that is … so caring and supportive of a brave woman.” (idahostatejournal.com, Pocatello, Idaho, 3/16/24)
Around 1 a.m. on March 26, three men allegedly broke into a home in Harrison, Tenn., in an area ostensibly not known for crime; despite this, the home had been broken into the night before as well. Reports say that this time, the intruders encountered the homeowner, who fired at them, killing one. The other two suspects jumped through a window and fled; they had not been arrested at the time of reporting. (newschannel9.com, Harrison, Tenn., 3/26/24)
