Woman shoots masked male dead after he allegedly broke into her Philly apartment before sunrise. Then cops remove his mask.



Philadelphia police said a masked male allegedly broke into a woman's apartment before sunrise Wednesday — but she was armed with a gun and opened fire.

Officers were called to an apartment complex in the 4600 block of Castor Avenue in the city's Frankford section just after 5 a.m. for a shooting, WPVI-TV reported.

'It appears this individual broke the window and was able to reach in and open the door and then entered this woman's apartment and that's when the shot — or shots — were fired.'

The woman in her 20s told police she heard someone breaking windows to the apartment and encountered the man inside, the station said.

The problem for the alleged intruder? The woman had a gun.

Arriving officers found in the apartment's bedroom an unresponsive 29-year-old man who had been shot in the head, the station said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, police added to WPVI.

"It appears this individual broke the window and was able to reach in and open the door and then entered this woman's apartment and that's when the shot — or shots — were fired," Chief Inspector Scott Small with the Philadelphia Police Department told WPVI.

The station showed an image of a broken window in the rear of the second-floor apartment, through which the intruder reportedly placed his hand and then unlocked the apartment's rear door.

Police told the station it didn't appear the male had any weapons on him.

Investigators told WPVI that once they removed the mask from the male, the woman recognized him, telling police they had a prior relationship, although the nature of the relationship is unclear.

Officials told the station the woman is cooperating with police and has turned over a semi-automatic handgun to officers.

RELATED: Gun-toting woman 'took care of business' after male broke into her home, entered her bedroom, and wouldn't leave

Homicide detectives are interviewing the woman, and police also are reviewing surveillance video from near the scene, WPVI added.

A woman the station interviewed after the shooting said, "I feel anybody should defend themselves if they think they're in harm's way."

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Armed home invasion in Florida backfires on suspects as gun-toting victim shoots 1, fights the other



An armed home invasion in Florida backfired last week as a man renting a Airbnb shot one suspected intruder and fought the other.

Fort Lauderdale Police officers responded to the scene near Northwest 19th Avenue and Eighth Street around 6 p.m. Thursday, WSVN-TV reported.

'I just heard the shots, maybe at least 10, and then everybody went running.'

Two males were carrying guns when they broke into the home while the renter was inside, investigators told the station, adding that the renter tried to fight off the perpetrators and shot one of them in the torso in what cops are calling an act of self-defense.

Police said the armed intruders fled the home on foot and left a bloody trail behind, the station reported, adding that a chair splattered with blood was visible at the scene.

A 911 dispatcher said the shot intruder "had an AR, and the complainant shot him. Apparently there were five or six people in a truck that fled the area that were with the gentleman who got shot," WSVN reported.

Detectives told the station they later found the wounded intruder — identified as 18-year-old Dareon Publien — a short distance away; he was suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper torso.

Police later apprehended his accomplice — identified as 25-year-old Sean Ian Thompson — as well, WSVN reported.

RELATED: Armed thug tries to rob victim pumping gas. But perp chooses the wrong victim to violate.

“I just heard the shots, maybe at least 10, and then everybody went running,” area resident Arthur Butler Junior told WSVN.

Publien was taken to a hospital, where he underwent surgery and was listed in critical but stable condition Friday morning, the station said.

WSVN said that after Publien is released from the hospital, he will be taken to the Broward County Jail and face the same charges as Thompson: attempted felony murder and home invasion with a firearm.

Jail records indicate only Thompson is behind bars as of Tuesday morning.

Police told the station they aren't looking for more suspects and are trying to determine if the armed home invasion was random or targeted.

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Armed Texas homeowner comes face to face with burglar in bedroom in middle of night — and doesn't hesitate



An armed homeowner in Austin, Texas, came face to face with a burglar early Wednesday morning and opened fire.

Austin Police officers responded at 3:51 a.m. to a report of a burglary in the 200 block of Virtus Bend, police said.

'Way to go homeowner.'

The preliminary investigation determined that the suspect entered a residence, proceeded into the bedroom, and was shot by the homeowner during the commission of the burglary, officials said.

When officers arrived on the scene, they located a black male — later identified as 24-year-old Dmario Antonie Jones — with apparent gunshot wounds, officials said.

Officer Aaron Townsend told KEYE-TV that police found the male with "obvious trauma to his body" in the home's front yard.

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services attempted lifesaving measures, but Jones was pronounced dead at 4:10 a.m., officials said.

Homicide detectives and the Austin Forensic Science Crime Specialists responded to process the crime scene, officials said.

Detectives interviewed the homeowner, who has been fully cooperative with the investigation, officials said, adding that the homeowner has since been released and no charges have been filed at this time.

RELATED: Male on parole accused of breaking into home in broad daylight. But gun-toting homeowner isn't having a bit of it.

One commenter under KEYE's Facebook post about the incident declared, "Way to go homeowner."

Those with information can contact police at 512-974-TIPS and can submit tips anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477, officials said.

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Male on parole accused of breaking into home in broad daylight. But gun-toting homeowner isn't having a bit of it.



A male on parole is accused of breaking into a California home in broad daylight last week.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center said it received a 911 call from a resident in the 3900 block of Walnut Street in Eureka just after 4:30 p.m. last Monday reporting that he shot a male who had forcibly entered his home.

The victim was not injured during the incident, officials said, adding that he was not arrested in connection with the shooting, either.

The resident reported that suspect fled the area on foot toward Walnut Drive, officials said, adding that deputies responded to the scene, along with officers from the Eureka Police Department.

A male matching the suspect's description was located in the area of W Street and Glatt Street suffering from a gunshot wound, officials said.

Emergency medical personnel who were already staged in the area responded and transported the suspect to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, officials said.

The suspect was identified as 30-year-old Taren Joseph Ray Aubrey of Eureka, officials said.

Based on evidence recovered at the scene, along with victim and witness statements, officials said deputies determined that Aubrey had forcibly entered the home before being shot.

Upon being released from the hospital, Aubrey was taken to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked on the following charges, officials said: burglary, felon/addict in possession of a firearm, unauthorized entry of an occupied dwelling, and violation of parole.

RELATED: Florida female allegedly tries breaking into home before dawn; homeowner warns her that he's armed — but she won't go away

Image source: Humboldt County (Calif.) Sheriff's Office

The victim was not injured during the incident, officials said, adding that he was not arrested in connection with the shooting, either.

The victim was in fear for his life when Aubrey was shot, officials said, citing evidence gathered during the investigation.

The case has been forwarded to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for review, officials said.

Those with information regarding this case are encouraged to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 707-268-2539, officials said.

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Armed thugs kick open apartment door, begin beating man — but victim fights back, turns the tables in lethal fashion



Two males kicked open an apartment door in Memphis last week and began beating a man in a bedroom — but the victim fought back and turned the tables in lethal fashion.

WREG-TV said the incident took place around 4:40 a.m. Tuesday.

'I bet he doesn't do that again.'

Citing an arrest affidavit, WMC-TV reported that Devonta Johnson and Zarian Sanders went to an apartment on Madewell Street to see the mother of Johnson’s child.

The pair allegedly kicked open the front door, which had been barricaded with a couch, WMC said.

Investigators told WMC the two men entered a bedroom and began beating a male victim.

During the attack, Johnson pulled out a handgun, WMC said, adding that a struggle over the weapon ensued, and the victim managed to shoot Johnson.

RELATED: Florida thug, 19, allegedly puts gun to head of man delivering banana pudding. But victim is armed — and turns the tables.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Johnson died from his injuries, WMC reported, adding that police said Sanders after the shooting threatened and hit the victim with a rifle, took the handgun, and fled the scene.

Sanders later was arrested and booked on charges of especially aggravated burglary, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, aggravated assault, and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, WMC said.

Police told WREG that Sanders, 23, later was identified as a felon who was convicted last September after pleading guilty to theft of a firearm less than $2,500.

Commenters underneath WMC's Facebook post about the incident had little sympathy for Sanders and Johnson. To wit:

  • "If you don't want the time, don't do the crime," one commenter wrote.
  • "I bet he doesn't do that again," another user said.
  • "I love a happy ending," another commenter quipped.

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Florida female allegedly tries breaking into home before dawn; homeowner warns her that he's armed — but she won't go away



A Florida female allegedly tried breaking into a Leesburg home before dawn Tuesday, and the homeowner warned her that he was armed — and even fired a shot through his door — but the homeowner told police she just wouldn't go away.

Police responded to the residence in the 1600 block of Crest Avenue after reports of a female trying to break into a home, WESH-TV reported.

The female then reached through the broken window in an attempt to open the door from the inside, the station said.

The homeowner told police he repeatedly ordered the woman to leave the property and warned her that he was armed, the station said.

Police told WESH that the female continued trying to gain entry, and the homeowner fired a shot from his handgun through the door, which shattered a window in the door.

The female then reached through the broken window in an attempt to open the door from the inside, the station said.

With that, the homeowner fired a second time, striking the female, police told WESH, adding that she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The station said the shooting took place shortly before 5 a.m.

RELATED: Florida crook accused of ditching stolen car, hiding from cops in home's garage. But homeowner has a gun.

According to WOFL-TV, details about the relationship between the homeowner and the female have not yet been released, and officials have also not shared the female's name or age.

Police are investigating the incident and working with the State Attorney's Office to determine if any criminal charges are appropriate, WESH said.

A spokesperson with the State Attorney's Office told WESH the review could take a few weeks or a few months, depending on evidence and information available.

Those with information about the incident are encouraged to contact police at 352-787-2121, WESH added.

Leesburg is about 50 minutes northwest of Orlando.

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Florida crook accused of ditching stolen car, hiding from cops in home's garage. But homeowner has a gun.



A 34-year-old male is accused of ditching a stolen car and hiding from police in a home's garage in Orange Park, Florida, on Monday, WJAX-TV reported. Orange Park is about a half hour south of Jacksonville.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office said it received word about a stolen car just after 3:30 p.m., and deputies within five minutes found the car at Blanding Boulevard and Camp Francis Johnson Road.

'Hey, you know what? If they stole a car, and he ran in my house, I’d shoot him too. Good for him.'

The driver fled and crashed into two sheriff's office patrol vehicles as well as a citizen's car, officials said, adding that no one was hurt in the crashes.

But two suspects bailed out of the car along Blanding Boulevard and ran in opposite directions, officials said, adding that both suspects were pursued on foot.

Officials said "the female suspect/passenger was caught within minutes; the male suspect, who was behind the wheel of the stolen car, continued to run and went through several backyards of a nearby neighborhood until he entered a resident's detached garage" on Grafton Drive.

WJAX reported that the male suspect was trying to hide in the garage.

However, officials said that once the male suspect entered the garage, the homeowner — who was armed with a gun — confronted him.

Sheriff Michelle Cook told WJAX the homeowner "intervened and actually shot the suspect who had entered his detached garage. The suspect was shot in the leg by the homeowner.”

Officials said deputies rendered first aid to the suspect who was taken to a local hospital; there are no outstanding suspects.

RELATED: Threatening male begins beating up Florida mobile homeowner, but victim pulls gun, fires once — 'and the threat was over'

The arrested suspects are William Tracy White Jr. and Amanda Jean Strickland, WJAX said.

Neighbor Anita Jones told the station that at first she "thought somebody had died."

Jones added to WJAX that she wasn’t home when it all went down but that nothing like this has happened since she moved into the neighborhood four years ago.

“I can’t believe it happened here,” Jones added to the station. "Hey, you know what? If they stole a car, and he ran in my house, I’d shoot him too. Good for him."

The sheriff told WJAX that White has two outstanding warrants for grand theft and armed robbery.

According to jail records, White remained incarcerated Tuesday and was charged with aggravated fleeing with injury or damage, burglary, and other charges. His bond was just over $35,000. There is no jail record for Strickland, who is 32.

Officials said those with information that could assist in the investigation are encouraged to contact the sheriff's office at 904-264-6512; tips can be submitted through the SaferWatch or by calling First Coast Crime Stoppers by dialing **TIPS.

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Man allegedly catches burglar taking TV from his wall, turning and reaching into bag — then homeowner ends heist with his gun



Memphis Police on Tuesday afternoon responded to the 6600 block of West Quailbrook Cove at the GreenBrook Apartments after a break-in and shooting, WHBQ-TV reported.

The homeowner told police he arrived at his residence just before 3:15 p.m. and saw a masked man trying to take his television from a wall, the station added.

'This is the direct result of what happens when the system to protect people fails completely. People take care of themselves. We've entered this phase.'

Police said the homeowner indicated the suspect then turned around toward him and reached into a bag, WHBQ added.

The homeowner told officers that with that, he pulled out a gun and shot the suspect twice, the station said.

In addition, the homeowner said the suspect ran from the apartment and headed west toward GreenBrook Bend, WHBQ reported.

The homeowner added to police that he fired two more shots as the suspect ran away, the station said, adding that the homeowner said the suspect fell, dropped the bag, got back up, and continued running off.

WHBQ said that when officers tried to make contact with the suspect, police said he fled on foot in the apartment complex.

RELATED: Intruder allegedly breaks into Florida home, threatens mother and her children, refuses to leave — but victim has her gun

Police told the station that officers conducted an extensive search and found a man injured in the 6400 block of Macon Road.

WHBQ added that the injured male was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

What's more, the station said police released to the homeowner's wife a white PlayStation 5, pink and white Jordan 1 sneakers, black and pink Jordan 1 sneakers, all-black Nike Air Max 97 sneakers, white Air Force sneakers, a black Roku controller, and a purple PlayStation controller.

WHBQ reported that the homeowner's wife said all items belonged to the couple.

Individuals commenting underneath the station's Facebook post about the incident seemed squarely behind the homeowner who fought back:

  • "Awesome job, homeowner," one commenter wrote. "Don't commit burglary; won't get shot."
  • "Good!" another user exclaimed. "More people need to fight back and make Memphis great again!"
  • "U got shot for a PS5 and some shoes," another commenter lamented.
  • "The thief got straight to FO part of FAFO," another user quipped.
  • "315 in the afternoon. That is hella bold," another commenter observed.
  • "This is the direct result of what happens when the system to protect people fails completely," another user stated. "People take care of themselves. We've entered this phase."

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Intruder allegedly breaks into Florida home, threatens mother and her children, refuses to leave — but victim has her gun



An intruder allegedly forced his way into a Florida home over the weekend, threatened a mother and her children, and refused to leave — but the victim also had her gun at the ready.

Investigators said Michael McDonald, 33, entered the Palm Coast home around 1:50 p.m. Sunday after opening the garage and banging on windows, WOFL-TV reported.

'I wasn't trying to kill anyone. I was trying to get him out to where my kids and I were safe in my house.'

Courtney Price told Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies that McDonald demanded money, threatened her family, and continued advancing after she warned him that she was armed, the station said.

Authorities told WOFL that Price repeatedly ordered him to leave and warned she would shoot. When McDonald continued advancing toward her, Price fired one shot, striking him in the arm, authorities told the station.

"I did what I had to do to protect my children and myself," Price told WOFL, which added that she knew McDonald through his sister.

"I panicked and got my gun," Price added to the station, "and that was my first time using it."

Price told WOFL she warned McDonald that she would shoot if he didn't leave — and she said he continued moving toward her.

"He said, 'I don't care ... shoot me,'" Price recalled to the station.

With that, she fired a single shot, WOFL said.

RELATED: Home invasion suspect comes face-to-face with gun-toting homeowner — who is more than ready for him

"I wasn't trying to kill anyone," Price told the station. "I was trying to get him out to where my kids and I were safe in my house."

McDonald fled the scene in a silver Kia SUV, and deputies later located the vehicle at AdventHealth Hospital, where they conducted a felony traffic stop and detained him, WOFL reported. McDonald was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, the station added.

RELATED: Armed crooks allegedly enter home in middle of night, but homeowner is prepared — and opens fire

Image source: Flagler County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office

Price and her children were not injured, WOFL said.

Flagler County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Joseph Barile told the station that this incident illustrates why Florida's self-defense laws exist.

"She's in her own home, and someone comes in uninvited, refuses to leave, advances toward her, is aggressive toward [her] and her kids," Barile noted to WOFL, adding that "she even goes a step further, saying she's going to shoot ... and he still doesn't leave — she had a right to defend herself, and she did."

Authorities told the station that Price acted lawfully under Florida's Stand Your Ground law and was protecting herself and her two children.

McDonald was charged with burglary with assault and was being held in custody, WOFL reported, adding that officials said the suspect has an extensive criminal history that includes grand theft and robbery offenses.

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California man finds home intruder allegedly firing shotgun at his wife — and ends the threat permanently



A California homeowner was visiting with his neighbors when he heard gunshots and screaming coming from his house and rushed back to find a shocking threat.

Riverside County Sheriff's deputies were called to the residence on Heron Way in San Jacinto on Friday just before 10:30 p.m. on reports of gunshots being fired.

'His goal was to get his daughter out safely, regardless of what happened to him.'

They found a man with gunshot injuries and declared him dead at the scene, according to the Los Angeles Times. They identified the deceased male as 45-year-old Ismael Martinez.

The father of the home told them that he had rushed to the house after his wife said a home intruder was firing a gun. The homeowner armed himself with a gun from his garage and exchanged gunfire with Martinez.

Martinez was struck, but no other injuries were reported.

A police investigation found that Martinez assaulted his 52-year-old girlfriend with a knife before running off to attack the family at the Heron Way home. The woman was found inside a vehicle and transported to a hospital for treatment. She was reported to be in stable condition.

Police said there was no evidence that Martinez or his girlfriend had any connection with the residents of the home he allegedly invaded.

A neighbor named Frankie Aguilar said the husband and wife of the family had been at his home when the incident unfolded. He said the wife had gone back to her house to charge up her phone when she found the armed intruder.

"When she was screaming, he was shooting at her with a shotgun," Aguilar said.

Aguilar added that his neighbor's teenage daughter was also in the home during the shooting and home invasion.

"His goal was to get his daughter out safely, regardless of what happened to him," another neighbor named Robert Dorame said to KTLA-TV.

RELATED: Intruder violently breaks down door of home with family inside — and gets justice from the end of a gun

"I'm shattered for them because they're good people," he added.

Police said the shooting would be referred to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office for review.

Neighbors said they believed the homeowner had acted in self-defense. A friend of the family has opened a GoFundMe donation account to help them deal with the costs associated with the incident.

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