Armed crook breaks through window, orders elderly homeowner to turn over valuables — but victim fights back with his own gun



Police in Jacksonville, Florida, said they responded to a home around 12:41 p.m. Tuesday after a report that a person was shot, First Coast News said.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said a man believed to be in his 70s living in the home on Arlex Drive, off Merrill Road, reportedly told police that a male armed with a gun broke through a window in the back of the home, the outlet reported.

'Just glad to have another one, another one of these guys off the streets.'

The victim said he was ordered into a back bedroom and forced to hand over his car keys and other valuables, the outlet added, citing the sheriff's office.

But the elderly victim fought back.

The sheriff's office said the homeowner was able to grab a gun and managed to shoot the suspect once in the shoulder, the outlet reported.

The wounded suspect reportedly fled the home and drove off in the victim's car, First Coast News said.

However, the sheriff's office said police found the suspect inside the vehicle about 30 minutes later and took him into custody on Fort Caroline Road, near Jacksonville University — just a few miles from the scene of the home invasion, the outlet noted.

Brandon Meredith, who was driving along University Boulevard, told First Coast News he witnessed the suspect's capture.

"Everyone had their tasers drawn," Meredith told the outlet. "They're moving up in a special kind of formation on the back of the car, heard a pop, they grabbed him and pulled him out, put him on the ground, and EMS was tending to him, and they had the intersection shut down for about two hours while this whole thing unfolded."

RELATED: Elderly Texas homeowner armed with hunting rifle spots burglar who broke through back door. It doesn't end well for intruder.

The suspect, who has not yet been publicly identified, was taken to a hospital for the gunshot wound, the sheriff's office told First Coast News, and was in police custody.

Meredith added to the outlet that he's happy with the way things ended up: "Just glad to have another one, another one of these guys off the streets."

First Coast News said those with information about the incident that could help in the investigation can contact the sheriff's office at 904-630-0500. The outlet added that anonymous tips are also welcome through Crime Stoppers.

Commenters on WJAX's Facebook post about the incident expressed a variety of opinions about the outcome. The following are but a few of them:

  • "'In custody' means the homeowner needs some range time," one commenter asserted.
  • "Dang, people still dare to break in other houses in open carry state," another user opined.
  • "He's a hero," another commenter declared.
  • "The only problem I see is the homeowner needs some shooting lessons," another user wrote, adding "shoot for center mass, and this potentially eliminates the issue."
  • "In blue states and cities, this poor homeowner would have to face trial and have his life financially ruined (at best), or spend the rest of his life in prison," another commenter observed.

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Elderly Texas homeowner armed with hunting rifle spots burglar who broke through back door. It doesn't end well for intruder.



Police in Grand Prairie, Texas, responded to the 400 block of Santa Margarita Street around 2 a.m. Sunday after a call about a suspicious person, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. Grand Prairie is about 30 minutes west of Dallas.

The homeowner had called 911 and told police that an unknown person forcefully entered his home through the back door, the paper said, citing police.

'Just because a person is elderly doesn't mean they are not going to protect what's theirs, especially in Texas.'

Police said the elderly male homeowner was armed with a hunting rifle and confronted the burglary suspect “who was rummaging through property inside the house,” the Star-Telegram reported.

The homeowner "fearing for his life" shot the burglar, who died at the scene, the paper said, citing police.

Police said the shooting is being investigated as self-defense, and no charges are expected against the homeowner, the Star-Telegram reported.

The Dallas County Medical Examiner will identify the fatally shot person after next of kin have been notified, the paper added.

RELATED: 3 armed thugs wearing ski masks allegedly break into Texas home. But homeowner also has gun — and simply does what Texans do.

Image source: Grand Prairie (Texas) Police

Commenters under the Grand Prairie News' Facebook post about the shooting have been airing their perspectives, and they seem to be fully backing the homeowner:

  • "Play stupid games ... win stupid prizes," one commenter wrote. "Shoutout to the homeowner for exercising the 2nd Amendment and protecting his property."
  • "It's always a shame when someone loses their life like this. It breaks my heart. The victim will have to live with the fact that he took someone's life," another user shared. "That said, every gun owner should spend time, in deep thought, planning out every hypothetical situation & their reaction in detail. I have, and I would do the same thing. Don't break into my home if you value your life. I have prepared myself."
  • "I think this homeowner did what anyone of us would do and protected his property," another commenter stated. "It’s stupid to break into houses, especially in Texas."
  • "Let's all give the homeowner a round of applause," another user suggested.
  • "Best news I’ve heard all day," another user declared.
  • "Just because a person is elderly doesn't mean they are not going to protect what's theirs, especially in Texas," another commenter opined.

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Gun-wielding homeowner wastes no time after he says burglar kicked in his door at midnight, ran toward him when told to stop



A North Carolina homeowner told WRAL-TV he was in his bathroom getting ready for bed around midnight Wednesday when he heard someone kick in the door of his home in southeast Raleigh.

The homeowner told the station that when he got to the living room, the intruder was standing there.

'If somebody breaks in your home, you have to protect yourself.'

"I had my gun, and I was telling him to get down! Get down! Or get out! Then he just ran to me," the homeowner, who didn't want to be identified, told WRAL.

With that, the homeowner fired shots, the station said.

When Raleigh police arrived at the scene on Rose Lane, they found 26-year-old Christian Beasley with a gunshot wound, WRAL reported.

Police told the station that Beasley was taken to a trauma center and was stable — and that after he's released from the trauma center, he'll be processed on charges of first-degree burglary and damage to property.

RELATED: Gun-wielding male kicks down door of home, opens fire at homeowner. But his target is armed too.

The homeowners told WRAL that they had no choice but to defend themselves and their home.

"If somebody breaks in your home, you have to protect yourself," the homeowner's wife added to the station. "And that's what he did. He had to protect us. We did not know what he was going to do."

Police told WRAL the homeowner will not face charges at this time but that the incident is under investigation. The station added that forensics investigators gathered evidence at the front door and inside the house.

WRAL said its Breaking News Tracker captured video of people coming out of the house, adding that they got in the back of police cruisers but did not appear to be under arrest.

Commenters on WRAL's Facebook post about the shooting seemed completely on the homeowner's side:

  • "Lookie there ... the burglar found the consequences of his actions," one commenter said.
  • "The homeowner deserves a medal!" another user declared. "Every home should be protected like this!"
  • "I'd done the same thing," another commenter wrote. "Let someone try and break into my house."
  • "It’s about time these criminals got it," another user stated.
  • "Sorry to hear he was taken to a trauma center, should have been taken to a morgue," another commenter said.
  • "America's fighting back!!!" another user exclaimed.

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Gun-wielding male kicks down door of home, opens fire at homeowner. But his target is armed too.



Law enforcement in Alexandria, Louisiana, responded to the 1800 block of Henry Street just after 7:30 a.m. Saturday for a reported home invasion, the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office said. Alexandria is about 200 miles northwest of New Orleans.

Officials said a black male identified as 33-year-old Davante Deundra Thomas of Alexandria allegedly kicked down the door of the residence armed with a handgun and fired at the homeowner.

'People have a right to protect themselves.'

But the homeowner also had a gun — and wasted no time using it.

Officials said the homeowner returned fire, striking Thomas.

After deputies arrived, Thomas was found dead inside the home with the gun still in his hand, officials said.

Sheriff’s detectives and the Crime Scene Unit responded and began their investigation and processed the scene for evidence, officials said.

The sheriff's office said no arrests have been made.

Officials said the investigation is still active and ongoing, and all those with any information about the incident should contact detectives at 318-473-6727 or the sheriff's office at 318-473-6700.

Commenters reacting to the shooting were a bit mixed in their opinions. Most seemed completely behind the homeowner who returned fire — but others believed there was more to the story:

  • "Turns out the more you F around the more you find out," one commenter said.
  • "Welp, he won't do that again!!!" another user noted.
  • "This is a good opportunity to teach your kids about what happens if you go breaking into houses," another commenter wrote.
  • "People have a right to protect themselves," another user said.
  • "Crazy thing is people don't realize how many homeowners actually have weapons in their homes just for this reason," another commenter observed.
  • "Naw, we aren't getting the entire story here," another user countered. "Don't pass judgement without all the facts."
  • "This just doesn't sound right to me, either," another commenter stated. "Something [is] not adding up."

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79-year-old landlord opens fire on naked intruder who body-slammed him to ground, breaking his legs



A 79-year-old landlord opened fire on a naked male intruder who body-slammed him to the ground Friday morning, breaking his legs, authorities said.

The incident occurred around 7:15 a.m. in the 4500 block of Tujunga Avenue at a Studio City apartment in Los Angeles, authorities told KABC-TV.

'Why is he out here naked?'

Surveillance video captured the intruder walking naked around the neighborhood, the station said, adding that video also shows him at the front door of a home and grabbing a sign and then continuing to walk.

The suspect soon entered an apartment, after which two women who were home at the time confronted him, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson told KABC.

More from the station:

The women yelled at the trespasser to get out, prompting the landlord to rush to their aid, the LAPD said.

The intruder body-slammed the landlord, breaking both of the victim's legs, police said.

The 79-year-old man "at this time, in self-defense, shoots the suspect three times," said Capt. Warner Castillo of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Castillo added to KTTV-TV that the victim gave the naked man every opportunity to stop what he was doing before shots were fired.

"The 79-year-old man tells the suspect to leave, tells him I have a gun, and I will shoot you. The suspect grabs the 79-year-old man, lifts him, throws him on the ground, and that’s where the 79-year-old man suffered two broken legs," Castillo noted to KTTV.

RELATED: Burglar naked from waist down stands over sleeping couple's bed, says 'shoot me' when ordered to leave. Husband complies.

What's more, Castillo added to KTTV that "the suspect got shot one time, and the suspect still approached the 79-year-old [who] shot the suspect again, killing him."

KTTV noted that the victim, identified only as George, was taken to a hospital and underwent surgery. A neighbor added to KTTV the 79-year-old man is a Vietnam veteran.

The name of the suspect has not been released, KTTV noted. No injuries to the women were reported, KABC said.

"I heard commotion, like a lady yelling," a woman who witnessed the incident and declined to be identified by name told KABC. "Then I looked over, and it was a naked guy. At first I thought it was just like, maybe it's a house fire. Like, why is he out here naked?"

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Ruling issued after Baltimore jewelry store owner fatally shoots suspected burglar



Around 2 a.m. Oct. 16, a then-unidentified male reportedly broke the glass front door of a Baltimore jewelry store with a brick.

The problem for the male? The store owner was inside the building — and he was armed with a gun. The store owner fired a warning shot and said, "Freeze!" WJZ-TV reported, adding that the intruder ducked, then popped back up, and the store owner opened fire at him.

The jewelry store owner lives above his business, WJZ said in its video report.

Officers arrived at the scene in the 2200 block of Fleet Street to find a 39-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds, WJZ said in a follow-up story, adding that police said he was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates on Monday identified the man as Richard Rolfe — and said no charges will be pursued, WJZ reported.

"Based on the facts of this case, we believe that this shooting meets the requirements of self-defense in the State of Maryland," Bates said in a statement, according to the station.

RELATED: Male reportedly shatters glass front door of jewelry store in middle of night. His problem? Armed store owner is inside.

WJZ said Maryland law stipulates that self-defense or defense of habitation applies if use of force is accompanied by the following five factors:

  • the suspect attempted to enter a home or property;
  • the property owner believed the suspect intended to commit a crime that would lead to death or serious injury;
  • the property owner believed the suspect intended to commit a crime;
  • the property owner believed that use of force was necessary to prevent death or serious injury;
  • the property owner reasonably believed force was necessary.

RELATED: Video: Armed thugs who rush into jewelry store have fast change of heart when worker with gun sends them some smoke

The jewelry store owner lives above his business, WJZ said in its video report.

The state's attorney's investigation found that Rolfe entered or tried to enter a person's home, and the homeowner believed Rolfe intended to commit a crime that would lead to injury or death, the station said.

The investigation also found the homeowner believed the force used against Rolfe was necessary to prevent death or injury, WJZ said.

The homeowner also believed Rolfe was armed, the station said, citing the findings of the investigation.

While it was later discovered that Rolfe did not have a gun, Bates said in a statement that "it is reasonable that the homeowner believed Mr. Rolfe was armed," WJZ reported. Bates added that "it can be said that the homeowner was acting appropriately under the defense of the habitation doctrine," the station added.

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Man opens fire on armed suspected intruder — outside neighbor's home: 'We've always told people not to mess around down here'



Authorities responded to a call about a suspicious person just before 11 p.m. Monday in Grover, North Carolina, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office said.

A homeowner in the 100 block of Mallard Drive went outside after noticing lights on in an adjacent home that was being remodeled, officials said.

'We’ll do what we have to do to protect our homes.'

The homeowner knew that lights shouldn’t be on in the home and suspected a break-in, officials said.

Soon the homeowner saw a male wearing a yellow sweatshirt carrying something, officials said. The homeowner confronted the male, who responded by shooting at the homeowner, officials said.

The homeowner was not shot but called 911, officials said.

RELATED: Intruder allegedly breaks window in attempt to enter home, ignores verbal warnings — so homeowner lets his gun do the talking

Image source: Cleveland County (N.C.) Sheriff’s Office

A second neighbor heard the gunshots and came outside to check on the commotion, officials said.

This neighbor also encountered the male subject, and the neighbor shot at him after it appeared that the male was about to open fire at the neighbor, officials said.

The male suspect ran away and fled in an Audi, officials said.

“We’ve always told people not to mess around down here because we’ll do what we have to do to protect our homes,” Clayton Campbell, who lives on Mallard Drive, told WBTV-TV. “And the people who came messing around last night realized we weren’t playing when we said that.”

The sheriff's office said it didn't have confirmation that anyone was injured in the incident, which is still under investigation.

“Last night could have went different," Campbell added to WBTV. "Nobody was hurt from our end, so that’s all that matters."

Officials said a search for those who were inside the Audi continues.

Those with information about this case can call the sheriff’s office at 704-484-4822 or Crime Stoppers at 704-481-8477, officials said, adding that all tip submissions through Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous.

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3 intruders — 1 armed — reportedly run into home. But homeowner also has a gun — and only 2 intruders run back out.



Police in Miami Gardens, Florida, told WTVJ-TV they got word of a possible home invasion in the 3000 block of Northwest 204th Terrace shortly before noon Monday.

Police said three individuals — one armed with a rifle — entered the home, the station said.

'I guess he was defending his daughter from the three people who went inside.'

However, as one of the intruders opened a bedroom door, a victim opened fire, hitting one of the intruders in the arm, WTVJ reported.

The two other intruders fled the scene, the station said, and Miami-Fire Rescue airlifted the wounded subject to Aventura Hospital.

The wounded individual's condition is unknown, WTVJ noted, and no other injuries were reported.

RELATED: Florida man sees back door of mom's home left open. So he goes inside, hears strange noises — and grabs a gun.

A man who lives at the house told the station that he and others who were inside at the time of the home invasion are OK, but he didn’t want to comment further.

A teenager who didn't want to be identified added to WTVJ that she watched from her bedroom window as three people ran inside the house — and when just two of them ran back out.

“I saw them shooting toward the porch, then running to the car, then the father shot four times,” the teen told the station. “It was loud, it was right there, across the street, boom, boom, boom, boom.”

The teen added to WTVJ that two men who were inside the house also ran outside: “He was standing outside of the house. He was defending the house. He said, 'That's my daughter; I have no money,' so I guess he was defending his daughter from the three people who went inside."

A woman who lives down the street added to the station that after she heard gunshots, she saw a car speeding by and someone with a face covering: “I saw the car zooming, and the guy was running behind the car, and I thought he was running after the car because I saw him with a gun in his hand. I was shocked. I was surprised."

WTVJ said the search for the two other subjects is ongoing.

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Florida man trained in MMA beats up home intruder: 'Only God and my hands. That's it.'
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Florida man trained in MMA beats up home intruder: 'Only God and my hands. That's it.'



A man defended his family's home when an intruder was found in the living room.

Henny Rojas was staying at his sister's house while she and her husband were in Miami last weekend; Rojas was there supervising his teenage nephew.

'Protect your family because the demon is outside.'

On Saturday morning, the teenager allegedly called his mother in a panic while trying to wake up his uncle, Rojas, to tell him there was a stranger in the living room.

"Uncle, uncle, wake up. Wake up!" Rojas recalled his nephew saying.

WPEC-TV reported that the man had forced his way into the home, but Rojas, who has allegedly trained in mixed martial arts for three years, met him with a pummeling.

"I'm prepared. It's not my first time," Rojas declared. "I don't feel [feel] any pain, nothing."

According to WPEC, witnesses reported that as the encounter escalated, Rojas used boxing, wrestling, and kicking techniques to subdue the suspect.

"I don't like guns. I don't [go] looking for a knife or nothing. Only God and and my hands. That's it," Rojas reiterated.

After police subdued the suspect, he said his intrusion into the home was a simple mistake.

RELATED: Dana White shuts down absurd question about 'toxic masculinity' from CBS host who can't define it

The suspect, 31-year-old Austin Caresani, arrived in court with visible bruises all over his face; one of his eyes was swollen, while the other was black and purple.

Caresani told police he had been drinking at a nearby club and only accidentally entered the residence. He claimed he was actually trying to get a friend's house.

In court, Caresani invoked his right to remain silent before a judge revealed that he had been charged with home invasion. The suspect was reportedly still in jail as of Wednesday.

RELATED: Bouncer caught on video smashing male's head through car window, putting him in chokehold. But cops get a break in the case.

Rojas said he would not have changed a single thing about what happened that night, but provided parting words for the viewers at home.

"Protect your family because the demon is outside. A lot of crazy people. He don't believe in God. He only looking for damage," he said.

Rojas did not appear to have any formal MMA fighting history when his name was searched on multiple MMA athlete-tracking sites.

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Gun-toting woman opens fire on career criminal amid alleged home burglary. Now crook's career is over.



An Alabama woman fatally shot a male amid an alleged home burglary Sunday night in Decatur, WZDX-TV reported.

A dispatch call indicated a woman said her house was being robbed, and that a male was heard screaming in the background.

State records show Brinkley served time for offenses, including first-degree robbery, third-degree burglary, possession of a pistol by a convicted felon, and distribution of a controlled substance, WZDX noted.

WAFF-TV said it picked up the following from a dispatch phone call: “10-4 units responding to the burglary in progress, 22nd Avenue caller now advising it was a black male wearing a white shirt armed with a firearm. The caller now advises she has shot that male; he is currently laying on the ground.”

A dispatch call also noted the woman shot the male in the chest and that he was "not conscious, not breathing."

RELATED: Thug allegedly recorded himself raping woman at gunpoint — before she shot him

Decatur police officers responded around 7:30 p.m. to the report of a burglary in progress in the 1200 block of 22nd Avenue SW, and police said they were informed the caller shot the male suspect, WZDX reported.

When officers arrived, the male was found inside the residence with apparent gunshot wounds, and Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chunn pronounced him dead at the scene, WZDX noted.

Chunn on Tuesday identified the male as 46-year-old Narado Brinkley, and WZDX said his criminal past includes drug and burglary convictions.

State records show Brinkley served time for offenses, including first-degree robbery, third-degree burglary, possession of a pistol by a convicted felon, and distribution of a controlled substance, WZDX noted.

His records also indicate multiple probation violations, and he most recently served five months after a 2023 conviction on drug and burglary counts, WZDX added.

RELATED: Mother hid from home invader in closet with her baby — then shot thug in the head, police say

WZDX said the alleged shooter cooperated with investigators and was released with no charges at this time.

However, the station noted that the incident remains under investigation and will be referred to the Morgan County District Attorney’s Office for grand jury consideration.

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