19 year old burglar shot at the back door in Utah, this should be interesting

[DeadAye]

...
They will then have just 3 choices.
...

Make that 4 choices ---
Hit the deck and commence emptying that *9mm* into the house. The BG probably isn't going to be concerned about collateral damage.

Since his home was occupied, I believe the homeowner took a reasonable course of action and should be commended.
Running the miscreant off so that he can find some nice, old, unarmed lady to savage safely just seems wrong to me.......

Then again - He was a nice kid and was going to turn his life around as soon as he got tired of crime (i.e. got caught). So maybe the homeowner should have just gathered his family together and worked things out with the kid.

 

[BUFF]

An update: The Salt Lake County District Attorney ruled last week that the shooting was within the law and the home owner will face no charges.

During the investigation, detectives discovered that the dead burglar had a partner, who they caught, and who confessed. During his confession, he stated that he was trying to get in through a window on a different side of the house when he heard the shot. He ran very rapidly. So there is no doubt whatsoever that the dead fellow's intentions were to get into that house. They had done some scouting a couple of hours earlier and thought nobody was home.

 

[M29since14]

They had done some scouting a couple of hours earlier and thought nobody was home.

Uh oh... so much for thinking. (Better to know.)

This is no laughing matter of course, and fortunately the homeowner will not be in legal jeopardy.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

damn homeowners, always messing things up for criminals.

 

[Pepi4]

In many states you are allowed to shoot through the door if someone is trying to break-in. It is the Castle Defense! Here it has to be a dwelling place, in other words where one has his place of sleep and living quarters. OK for the residence but not the shed or barn.

That the law in Indiana ... but I would have called 911 (with my gun at my side) and wait. If he would get in before the police I would have probably shot him.

 

[feralmerril]

I am glad the way it all turned out now.

 

[cass]

Man, I hate to hear of things like this !Those glass doors are expensive, and a pain to replace.

 

[Bill_inBouse]

Pretty much the same law in Arizona. The burglar/bad guy only needs to be "in the process of unlawfully or forcefully entering, or had unlawfully or forcefully entered, a residential structure" ARS 13-418 I feel for the homeowner but one must do anything to protect family.

 

[sipowicz]

I think it all depends on your mindset and level of training...yeah, in a perfect world it would be great to stand there calmly waiting for him to make it inside...but most people would be out of their heads with fear, especially the elderly...and to expect everyone to just wait until he is inside is unrealistic...with two kids sleeping down the hall, I'm not sure I would risk waiting...I would hope I could still think clearly and maybe fire off a warning shot....or yell "Go away, I have a gun" but I can't honestly say what I would do until it happens to me.

 

[feralmerril]

Think about this. I belive it`s mentaly easier to shoot at someone through the door than once they are eyeball to eyeball! Lets say you let the idiot in. Now one of three things on his part is going to happen when he see`s you with a gun, (assumeing he doesnt have one, but you really dont know whether he has one in his pocket or not.)
1. Hopefully he will turn tail and scratch out fast as he can.
2. He might get on his knee`s and beg for mercy.
3. Worst. He well might be highly drugged up and feel invincable, with absolutely no fear and either whip out his gun if he has one, and if he doesnt, without one sane thought try to grab yours to shoot you and his way out!
I once had a leo friend that emptied a 9mm at a hopped up BG in the same circumstance and he still kept comeing! Died still trying, I guess.
What percentage of people might not follow through just from shock or dumbfoundness, or whatever, when they are feet away after maybe some conversation and eye contact?

 

[CDubber]

Flicking on the patio light probably would have averted this tragedy. That said, when someone is trying to break into your house, the law should protect the homeowner, not the criminal. Period. I'm glad there were no charges filed (particularly as a Utah resident), though sad about the ending. I'm not sure what I would have done under those circumstances, and hope never to find myself there.

Note to self: install motion sensor lights at all the doors of my house.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

In Texas we call that a clear professional hazard of burglary or even justified by tresspassing on an occupied homestead at night with untent to commit a felony. It is a shame that a 19 year old died, but that is his fault and the fault of whoever did not teach him right.

 

[kewpie]

...that is his fault and the fault of whoever did not teach him right.


I agree wholeheartedly.

 

[badguybuster]

These threads are always fascinating. We had a similar case here a few years ago (cant recall the name) but the elderly gentleman shot the would-be assailant on his front steps. He was charged and ultimately acquitted. Still he spent 2 years in and out of court plus I believe a lawsuit is pending.

 

[Gary]

...that is his fault and the fault of whoever did not teach him right.


I agree wholeheartedly.

This is not as easy at it seems. I know of several cases where the parents raised 2-3 children to be responsible adults. One child rebelled and was in continuous trouble with the law. Who knows why? I believe that some people are born predisposed to criminal behavoir. I can think of no other explanation.

 

[Faulkner]

Regardless of the outcome, this is one dredge on society that won't be harrassing and stealing from honest working citizens, nor will he be sucking up taxpayer dollars sitting in a prison cell all his adult life. Different chosen occupations have their hazards.

I hope the homeowner gets a credit on his home owners for the money he's saved the insurance companies.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

"This is not as easy at it seems. I know of several cases where the parents raised 2-3 children to be responsible adults. One child rebelled and was in continuous trouble with the law. Who knows why? I believe that some people are born predisposed to criminal behavoir. I can think of no other explanation."

The "rebel" or thief learned it from somewhere, I did not say parents, but I understand your point and agree that it is not always the parents to blame.