Homeowner with 2 sleeping kids spots masked intruders walking up stairs. But they turn tail and run when he pulls gun.



A Los Angeles homeowner whose two young children were fast asleep one night last week found himself face-to-face with three masked males walking up his stairs, KNBC-TV reported.

Believe it or not, the intruders reportedly announced themselves as police officers amid the Studio City home invasion last Wednesday, the station said.

'I was kind of ready for any scenario.'

But the homeowner was wise to what was happening — and had a gun on him.

And wouldn't you know the intruders staring down that barrel suddenly realized that they had more pressing matters on their calendar? Yup, they took off running.

KNBC said the masked males were seen on security video recorded outside the home. The station said they tapped windows and the dog door to make sure all animals were inside.

“Three men covered basically head to toe. Windbreaker hoodies; only their eyes are visible,” the homeowner later explained to KNBC.

The intruders used a device to shatter a double-pane glass door, the station said, after which they walked into the house.

“They yelled ‘LAPD’ when they were in the house, impersonating the police," the homeowner also noted to KNBC. "I think that’s what kind of triggered my senses."

The homeowner — who didn't want the station to identify him — told KNBC he "peered down the stairs and saw two men coming up the stairs and just immediately charged after them ready to take them on. I was kind of ready for any scenario. I was kind of armed and ready to go, and, thankfully, they ran — because the last thing I wanted to do was start shooting people in my house.”

The homeowner added to the station that the would-be thieves got away before officers arrived. The homeowner also noted to KNBC he believes the crew may have been watching his house for several days.

“We were out of town for a few days, and the way they reacted they definitely thought the house was empty,” the homeowner added to the station. “I think they are just getting that brazen. You kind of have to be ready.”

You can view a video report here about the incident.

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Man calls 911 about masked crooks breaking into cars. But one of them goes after caller — a big mistake, since he has a gun.



A homeowner in Shreveport, Louisiana, was outside smoking a cigarette around 3:30 a.m. Saturday when he saw two masked individuals breaking into cars on the street, KSLA-TV reported.

The homeowner called 911 to report what he was observing in the 7600 block of University Drive, the station said.

Detectives believe Lewis and at least one other person are responsible for a series of crimes in the area, including at least five vehicle burglaries, a firearm theft, and a motor vehicle theft, the station said.

However, while the homeowner was on the 911 call, one of the alleged burglars began to approach him, KSLA said.

The homeowner told the alleged burglar to stop approaching him, the station said, but those instructions reportedly went unheeded.

“Fearing for his and his family’s safety, the caller discharged his firearm twice, striking 18-year-old Jamelvion Lewis,” police Cpl. Chris Bordelon told KSLA.

Lewis was shot in his lower abdomen and right arm, authorities noted to the station.

Officers rendered aid to Lewis, who then was taken to Ochsner LSU Health for treatment of life-threatening injuries, KSLA said.

“His condition has since been upgraded to critical but stable, and doctors are hopeful he will make a full recovery,” Bordelon said of Lewis, according to the station.

The other burglary suspect escaped the scene in a stolen vehicle but abandoned it after traveling a short distance, KSLA reported, adding that the suspect ran off. Police are looking for him, the station added.

Lewis has been charged with one count of possession of a stolen firearm because officers discovered he had a gun later confirmed to have been reported stolen out of Bossier City, KSLA said, adding that additional charges are expected.

Detectives believe Lewis and at least one other person are responsible for a series of crimes in the area, including at least five vehicle burglaries, a firearm theft, and a motor vehicle theft, the station said.

Police said witnesses at the scene were taken to the Violent Crimes Unit for recorded interviews, KSLA added.

The homeowner surrendered his gun and fully cooperated with investigators, the station reported, adding that no charges are pending against him.

You can view a video report here about the incident.

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Trump’s team takes aim at Biden’s home price-hiking policies



It is almost breathtaking how impotent the Biden administration was — which, for better or worse, makes the jarring pace of the Trump administration even more noticeable. President Trump has already set us on a new course internationally, begun reshaping the government, and will soon target the domestic economy. It is crucial that he focuses on restoring the American dream of home ownership.

While largely indecisive in most areas, Joe Biden’s Department of Housing and Urban Development seemed especially bent on slowing down markets and raising prices for American consumers — including those who bought homes.

Trump’s appointments at HUD and the Justice Department can score early wins by restoring law and order to the housing market.

President Trump appears to be on a better path. Scott Turner, the former Texas state representative and new Housing and Urban Development secretary, sailed through confirmation last month. He has moved swiftly to reverse troubling Biden-era regulations, such as the 2021 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, effectively a zoning tax that drove up housing costs.

Reversing Biden-era policies

Certainly, Turner’s HUD will pursue priorities that are different from those of the Biden administration. Biden’s housing agenda focused mainly on diversity and equity issues. One example was the department’s leadership of the Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity.

Various government agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, participated in this sprawling task force, which sought to crack down on appraisal bias. Even before Turner’s confirmation, the Trump administration began scrubbing the task force from government websites as part of the president’s anti-DEI executive order.

For Turner to restore the American dream of home ownership, he must dismantle many of the task force’s initiatives and other Biden-era housing policies — a challenge he appears eager to take on.

Shortly after his confirmation on February 5, Turner told the Wall Street Journal that he would move quickly to root out inefficiencies in the department and streamline HUD. He also pledged to scrutinize diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, such as “appraisal bias.”

Rocket Mortgage revisited

A recent appraisal bias lawsuit filed by the Biden Justice Department against a host of defendants, including Rocket Mortgage — the nation’s largest mortgage lender — illustrates how Biden’s administration prioritized its DEI agenda over more affordable housing. The lawsuit would be a good place for Turner to start.

In 2021, HUD took over an investigation from Colorado authorities after a Rocket Mortgage customer alleged she was a victim of appraisal bias. In July 2024, HUD announced a lawsuit against Rocket Mortgage and third-party appraisers Solidifi US and Maverick Appraisal Group. In October, a little over two weeks before the presidential election, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit in Denver, alleging the companies discriminated against the black homeowner by undervaluing her home based on her race.

The lawsuit has caught the attention of former HUD officials and legal scholars because the Justice Department’s proposed remedies from Rocket Mortgage would set a dangerous precedent by holding mortgage lenders responsible for independent appraisers hired by mortgage applicants.

Appraisal independence is vital

The principle of appraisal independence, established in the Dodd-Frank Act, ensures that an appraiser’s independent judgment is free from the influence of other parties who might benefit. This safeguard eliminates the conflicts of interest that contributed to the pre-2008 housing bubble, when lenders obtained inflated appraisals to assume more risk and increase profits.

Fannie Mae maintains a fact sheet outlining appraisal independence for sellers and prospective borrowers, emphasizing that lenders are prohibited explicitly from ordering an appraisal, selecting or recommending a particular independent appraiser, or engaging in any communications that could affect the valuation.

Appraisal bias is a real problem but stems from a few bad apples, not a malfunctioning system. The Biden administration’s attempt to rewrite housing laws through the Justice Department and HUD risks disrupting the mortgage-lending industry and making home ownership even more unattainable by reversing protections to prevent another 2008-like housing bubble.

By dismantling the barrier between independent appraisers and lenders, the Biden Justice Department has brought uncertainty to the industry and threatens to destabilize the housing market.

Trump’s appointments at HUD and the Justice Department can score early wins by restoring law and order to the housing market. In doing so, they can help make the American dream of home ownership affordable again — simply by backing off the companies making housing affordable in the private market.

Convicted felon opens fire on armed homeowner who confronts him burglarizing car, cops say. But homeowner is the better shot.



An armed Florida homeowner confronted a convicted felon who was burglarizing his car in his driveway in late December, police said. But after the felon opened fire at the homeowner, the homeowner returned fire and wounded the suspect, police said.

The City of Palm Bay Police Department said the suspect in question has been identified as 26-year-old Javone Williams, WOFL-TV reported. Palm Bay is about four miles south of Melbourne on the state's east coast.

Jail records also indicate Williams was arrested three other times in 2024, once in 2023, four times in 2020, twice in 2017, and twice in 2016.

Officers told the station they responded to reports on Dec. 27 of a suspicious vehicle in the area of the 500 block of Titan Road SE. One caller described the vehicle in question as a silver SUV parked in front of the caller's home, WOFL said.

Police told the station that while they were headed to the reported location, another call came in describing a similar vehicle being involved in a shooting at another residence on the same street.

Officers told WOFL they found shell casings in the road after heading to the location of the reported shooting.

The resident told police his Ring camera alerted him to activity in his driveway, so he exited his home armed with a gun and saw two males going through his vehicles, the station said.

The resident confronted the pair, one of whom shot at the resident, who then returned fire, WOFL said, citing the police report. The shoot-out took place around 1 a.m., WKMG-TV reported, adding that the homeowner was "OK" in the aftermath.

Police at the scene then learned of a person who had been shot arriving at a nearby emergency room, the station said, adding that police identified the individual as Williams.

Police said Williams told them he and his friend were shot at while they were near a different location, but officers noted that they found no shell casings or evidence of a shooting near that location — nor were Williams' wounds consistent with the story he told police, WOFL said.

The police report also states that Williams told officers he was in an Uber his girlfriend requested, but the girlfriend told police this wasn't true, the station said.

More from WOFL:

Police say surveillance video shows the two men searching two separate vehicles, and one begins shooting at the resident before they are driven off by another person in the driver's seat of a car.

Although officers say Williams is wearing the same pants in the video as he was at the hospital, police say he denied being involved in the incident and refused to provide DNA.

Officers say they performed a gun-shot residue test on Williams after he was cleared at the hospital, and the test was positive.

Jail records indicate Williams was charged with numerous felonies in connection with the shoot-out. They include armed burglary with a firearm, aggravated assault with a firearm, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, the station said. WKMG said a judge revoked Williams' bond and that he could receive life in prison.

Jail records also indicate Williams was arrested three other times in 2024, once in 2023, four times in 2020, twice in 2017, and twice in 2016.

You can view a video report here about the Dec. 27 shoot-out.

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Government mix-up leads taxpaying homeowner in Chicago to have house sold from underneath her



A Chicago woman is fighting to keep her home after a government mix-up led officials to sell her house from underneath her on account of supposedly "delinquent taxes."

Robin McElroy bought her home in the Morgan Park area of Chicago back in 2012. Since then, she said she has paid the taxes owed on the property and even kept receipts of her payments.

"I do not like wasting money. ... I pay my bills," McElroy told CBS News.

Despite those consistent payments, in 2019, McElroy began receiving notices that her property taxes were in arrears and that her property was in danger of being sold.

McElroy demanded an explanation. In April 2019, she received a letter from the Cook County Treasurer's Office confirming that the county assessor's office had accidentally mixed up McElroy's property identification number — the unique 14-digit number used for tax-related purposes, according to Yahoo News — with that of her next-door neighbor.

She was then told that there were "no grounds to proceed with a sale" of her home, that the assessor's office would make an "internal correction," and that the issue would be resolved. "Don't worry about it," she recalled being told.

'I want what's rightfully owed to me.'

It turns out, McElroy still had plenty to worry about since the "internal correction" the letter promised apparently never took place. Earlier this year, she received a letter from Cook County Circuit Court informing her that her house had been "sold for delinquent taxes."

In fact, the letter added that McElroy actually owed the new homeowner three years' worth of rent. Bearing no ill will, McElroy expressed sincere concern for all the trouble that the other homeowner has had to endure as well.

"This lady should not have to be put in this position to go through all of this headache and heartache," she told CBS News. "This is stressful."

McElroy has since hired a lawyer — paid for out of pocket — to help her straighten out the problem.

CBS News has also been in contact with the assessor's office. While a spokesperson there declined an on-camera interview, the office did confirm that the property identification numbers had been corrected, that McElroy is current on her taxes, and that officials are currently working with a legal team to resolve the problem.

McElroy remains skeptical.

"You guys can point fingers all day long. I don't care," she told CBS News. "I want what's rightfully owed to me."

McElroy had a deadline earlier this month to file a response in court, the outlet added. Whether she filed that response and whether the court has issued any other rulings remain unclear.

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Male allegedly tries to burglarize home, struggle ensues with homeowner — but fight ends when alleged intruder meets bullet



Police in Riverton, Wyoming, responded to a reported attempted burglary where shots were reported fired shortly after 11 p.m. Friday in the 900 block of East Park Avenue, police said.

Police said a caller reported a struggle between a possible intruder and a homeowner.

The homeowner is cooperating with the detectives' investigation, police said.

Officers found a male in his 20s suffering from an apparent gunshot wound near the home, police said.

An individual at the scene reported seeing the male attempting to break into the home, police said, adding that the apparent intruder was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

The homeowner is cooperating with the detectives' investigation, police said.

In addition to officers from the Riverton Police Department, law enforcement from the Fremont County Sheriff's Office, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, and the Shoshoni Police Department responded to the call as well.

Police said those with information about the incident can call the Riverton Police Department at 307-856-4891 and that more information will be released as the investigation continues.

How are observers reacting?

Commenters on the Riverton Police Department's Facebook page seemed decidedly pleased about the outcome — and frustrated about crime and crime-fighting:

  • "What’s there to investigate?" one commenter asked. "Sounds like a clear case of stand your ground/castle doctrine… the homeowner defended his/her property. Good for them!!! The people of this town are fed up with the crime — you’re going to see more and more of us exercising our rights because something has to give."
  • "Seems that’s what it’s gonna take to make it all stop since the prosecutors won’t prosecute," another user declared.
  • "Good for the homeowner!!!!" another commenter exclaimed. "This is what it is coming [to]. Can I be on this jury???"
  • "... needs to happen more," another user added. "Teach these little Son-of-a- Bi….. what happens when you break the law."
  • "HELL YES!! YOU GO!!!" another commenter wrote.

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Suspected car prowler attacks armed homeowner. Despite warning shot, attack persists — but next shot ends things permanently.



A homeowner in north central Washington state fatally shot a suspected vehicle prowler amid a physical confrontation Sunday night.

The armed homeowner approached a suspect who was seen tampering with the homeowner's vehicle around 7:15 p.m. on Hanford Street near Omak Avenue, KXLY-TV reported, citing the Omak Police Department. The city of Omak is located about 50 miles from the Canadian border.

The homeowner has not been arrested or charged with any crimes, KPQ reported.

Police told the station that the homeowner didn't use the gun, but the suspect attacked and knocked down the homeowner.

The homeowner's significant other fired a warning shot into the ground, but police told KXLY the assault didn't stop. KPQ-FM reported that the warning shot was an attempt to run the suspect off.

Police said the significant other pulled the suspect off of the homeowner, but the suspect re-engaged in the assault, the station reported.

With that, police told KXLY the homeowner shot the suspect once. The suspect left the property and collapsed in the street, KPQ reported, adding that police found the alleged prowler lying in the street with a gunshot wound

The suspect was transported to Mid Valley Hospital, KPQ noted, adding that the suspect later was pronounced dead.

The homeowner has not been arrested or charged with any crimes, KPQ reported.

Police told KXLY an investigation is underway in regard to the use of deadly force and that their findings will be turned over to the prosecutor's office to determine if any charges will be filed.

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Inmate escapes into woods, manhunt commences; 3 days later, gun owner encounters fugitive outside his home



A Georgia homeowner on Thursday detained at gunpoint an inmate who had escaped into the woods and had been on the run for three days.

The Towns County Sheriff's Office said 39-year-old inmate Bruce Douglas Partin Jr. was on work detail Monday at the county dump when he escaped into the woods on Highway 288 around 2:30 p.m.

But Kirby had a gun on him, and authorities said he drew his weapon and ordered Partin to the ground. Partin complied.

The sheriff’s office deployed a drone and K-9 tracking dog with no success. Authorities said Partin was being housed in the Towns County Detention Center and was awaiting a court appearance on the following charges: purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution or sale of marijuana; theft by taking; probation violation; and burglary.

Authorities added that Partin was spotted on a trail camera at the end of Ivy Mountain Road in the Fodder Creek area Tuesday around 1:20 p.m. The sheriff's office Facebook post includes a pair of images showing Partin in the woods.

The sheriff's office added that Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Natural Resources all utilized every resource, including aerial patrol and K-9 units, to assist with the search for and capture of Partin. Authorities added that he was still at large as of 4:40 p.m. Tuesday.

Captured

The sheriff's office said a resident on Fodder Creek Road in the Gander Gap area spotted Partin in his orange jail uniform around 5:15 p.m. Thursday and called 911. With that, authorities said sheriff's deputies saturated the area in search of the suspect.

About two hours later, the sheriff's office said Steven Kirby — a resident who lives on Vester Road — was inside his home when Odie, his labradoodle, began aggressively alerting him to someone outside the residence.

The sheriff's office said Kirby went outside, and Partin — who's 6 feet, 4 inches tall — confronted him. But Kirby had a gun on him, and authorities said he drew his weapon and ordered Partin to the ground. Partin complied.

An image on the sheriff's Facebook page shows Kirby pointing a gun at Partin, who's facedown on the ground with his ankles crossed and his hands behind his back.

Authorities said Kirby’s wife, Amy, called 911, and sheriff’s deputies quickly arrived on the scene to take Partin into custody just after 7 p.m. Online maps indicate Partin was captured around six miles southwest of the area where he made his escape.

The sheriff's office said Kirby noted that he's committed to protecting his family and property from harm.

Authorities said Sheriff Ken Henderson expressed gratitude toward the Fodder Creek community for their vigilance and assistance, but most of all to Kirby for his courage and willingness to act: “It is truly a pleasure to work in a community where we can count on the ongoing support of citizens like Mr. Kirby to stand behind us and, in cases like this, even physically aid us when necessary."

What's more, the Kirby family on Friday received the $500 reward offered for information leading to Partin's arrest — and Steven Kirby and his dog Odie got a commendation.

Image source: Towns County (Ga.) Sheriff's Office

"Sheriff Henderson strongly supports the 2nd Amendment and the right to bear arms and was thankful that Mr. Kirby's instincts kicked in, and he went above and beyond to not only protect his family and property but his community as well," the sheriff's office Facebook entry said.

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Gun-toting homeowner confronts 2 males accused of breaking into cars, and 1 suspect advances toward homeowner. Dumb move.



A gun-toting homeowner confronted two males accused of breaking into cars in Columbus, Georgia, over the weekend — and when one of the suspects advanced toward the homeowner, the homeowner opened fire.

Police said officers were dispatched at 12:01 a.m. Saturday to a residence in the Benning Hills area regarding two males breaking into vehicles.

Officers found another pistol inside the suspects' vehicle along with more than 40 grams of marijuana, police said.

Authorities said the homeowner confronted the suspects, and one of the suspects advanced toward the homeowner, after which the homeowner shot the suspect.

Both suspects fled the scene in a vehicle to a nearby gas station, police said.

Officers at 12:03 a.m. were dispatched to the Circle K on Victory Drive and North Lumpkin Road regarding a male — later identified as 18-year-old Deonte Smith — who entered store with a gunshot wound, police said.

Officers responded to the scene, and Smith was taken to a hospital and listed in stable condition, police said.

The second suspect — a 17-year-old male — was taken into custody with a stolen firearm in his possession, police said.

Officers found another pistol inside the suspects' vehicle along with more than 40 grams of marijuana, police said.

The 17-year-old was charged with entering auto, receiving stolen property (firearm), possession of a firearm during commission of a crime, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug-related objects, loitering, and credit card theft, police said.

Police said they obtained warrants for Smith, who will be transported to the Muscogee County Jail upon his released from the hospital. Police said Smith will be charged as well but didn't say what Smith will be charged with.

How are observers reacting?

A number of commenters shared their reactions underneath the police department's Facebook post about the incident. Here are a few of them:

  • "The homeowner should be given a 'stand your ground' award!!" one commenter wrote.
  • "Great job officers and great job to [the] homeowner for protecting what is his," another commenter shared.
  • "Good for the homeowner," another commenter said. "Two more thugs off the streets."
  • "Nice to get a couple of thieves off the streets...and homeowners protecting their ground!!" another commenter declared. "Great job."

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77-year-old Oakland homeowner arrested on suspicion of murder after fatally shooting robbery suspect: Report



A 77-year-old Oakland homeowner was arrested on suspicion of murder after fatally shooting a robbery suspect earlier this week, KTVU-TV reported.

The station said it's unclear whether the homeowner, whom KTVU isn't naming, will be formally charged or whether the homeowner was justified in the fatal shooting on self-defense grounds.

'If you are in imminent fear of your life or someone else's life in your home, you have every right to take necessary means for self-defense against the invaders.'

Authorities said two men and a woman in a stolen Infiniti Q40 pulled up to a residence in the area of 98th Avenue and Burr Street in East Oakland just before 6 p.m. Monday, the station said.

A witness told police the trio went on to the property, and one of the men had a crowbar, KTVU reported, adding that the witness then heard a gunshot. According to the East Bay Times, a witness saw the trio breaking into the man’s house.

Neighbors told the station they heard multiple gunshots in the area of 98th Avenue and Burr Street.

KTVU, citing court documents, said arriving police found the homeowner pointing a stolen Colt Python revolver at the female suspect, who told cops the homeowner shot her friend. The station said firefighters and paramedics tried to save the unidentified suspect, but he died at the scene. Police said the third suspect was found at the scene with a replica gun and was arrested on suspicion of burglary, KTVU added. The Times reported that Alameda County prosecutors had not yet filed charges against the third suspect as of Wednesday morning.

The Times also reported that the homeowner was being held without bail as of Wednesday morning. According to KTVU, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office has until Thursday to make a decision regarding whether to charge the homeowner, who declined to speak with investigators.

KTVU legal analyst Michael Cardoza told the station, "You're not supposed to chase them. If you chase them and shoot them, for example, in the back, that is unlawful." But Cardoza added that homeowner could still argue self-defense, depending on the facts: "If you are in imminent fear of your life or someone else's life in your home, you have every right to take necessary means for self-defense against the invaders."

Oakland homeowner fatally shoots burglary suspect | KTVU youtu.be

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