A bystander in Forth Worth, Texas, jumped into action, shooting and killing a dog after it and two other dogs attacked and bit a person and began going after other individuals in the area, according to local police. Officers arrived on the scene after the shooting around 11 a.m. on Feb. 7, after being called by the person who fired at one of the attacking dogs. The person bitten by the animal was not seriously injured, and Animal Control responded to the scene to enforce ordinances related to the other two animals. Police say the bystander who shot and killed the attacking dog will not be charged. (star-telegram.com, Fort Worth, Texas, 2/7/24)
On Feb. 13 around 5 p.m., an armed citizen in Las Cruces, N.M., saw a police officer approaching a homeless man trespassing on private property. The homeless man immediately attacked the officer with a large kitchen knife. Witnessing the unprovoked attack, the armed citizen drew and fired on the homeless man, killing him, then used the officer’s radio to call for help. The officer was rushed to a nearby hospital, but died of his wounds, leaving behind his wife and two young children. The assailant was reported to have had a long history of mental illness and violent crime, including charges of kidnapping, aggravated battery with great bodily harm and violating parole. No charges are expected to be filed against the armed citizen who defended the officer. (nypost.com, New York, N.Y., 2/13/24)
