Should he be charged?

[JDBoardman]

Here in Texas, we have a fellow by the name of Joe Horn, who took his responsibilities as a neighbor seriously. It seems that he spotted two goblins robbing his next-door neighbor's garage. He called 911, reported a robbery in progress, and then went outside with a shotgun to stop the robbers. When they started to run, he ordered them to halt, and when they didn't, he gave them an introduction to their Maker.

I would rather have Mr. Horn for my next door neighbor than someone who doesn't want to get involved.

 

[TexasArmed]

Here in Texas, we have a fellow by the name of Joe Horn, who took his responsibilities as a neighbor seriously. It seems that he spotted two goblins robbing his next-door neighbor's garage. He called 911, reported a robbery in progress, and then went outside with a shotgun to stop the robbers. When they started to run, he ordered them to halt, and when they didn't, he gave them an introduction to their Maker.

I would rather have Mr. Horn for my next door neighbor than someone who doesn't want to get involved.

That is a case I was very interested in and it did go to a grand jury that no billed him. The dispatcher (not a police officer) told him not to go outside, but he did anyway. One of the three
that he killed had a crowbar in his hand. Joe Horn was in his
yard, they did not halt when ordered but continued to advance
toward him and I believe went into his yard. But it is not my
job to introduce anyone to their maker. I don't think I would
have left my house if it had been me. If they had tried to break
in however, whether armed or not on me and my family, I would have stopped them. Joe Horn had no way of knowing
whether one or more of those guys were armed or not. JMO

 

[Engine 21]

Here is another one - happened in the 80's. My father was a milkman (one of the last ones left). He had a retired LEO living next door. One afternoon in the summer he heard some shouting outside and went to investigate and found the neighbor (the retired LEO) on his driveway with two guys on there knees with one of them with a revolver barrel in his mouth put there by the neighbor. He had caught them emptying his garage of tools and anything else they could find. The retired LEO saw my father and said "Kenny - call the station and tell'em I got two for dinner." Four scout cars and 8 LEO's showed up and took them into custody. The on duty Lt. asked the neighbor if he was done being retired and did he want to come back to work since the BG's are coming to him.

He stayed retired.

I guess they picked the wrong garage.

 

[arjay]

Heading outside and taking potshots at someone you think is burglarizing your neighbor is a bad idea.On the other hand i had a 10' cargo trailer parked in front of my house and my neighbor watched two guys clean out all my tools at 3 am and didn't even call it in [emoji57].I think we have become over populated with dummies...

 

[DaGOOSExyz]

What if the robber had shot him and taken out an eye or some other vital organ. Would it be worth it over property that can be replaced? He should have looked at the car and guys to give a good discription and tried to
remember as much of the lic plate as he could. Pulling his gun was not
smart when no one was in danger. I think he should get off with a warning. He meant well and alot of us would like to take pot shots at these bums who steal but that is against the law.

 

[mbliss57]

Short answer..he was wrong (illegal to fire at a fleeing vehicle)
Right to shoot at robber when he drew his gun on him.
To answer your question he should be charged.

 

[Shooting Padre]

If he hadn't been out there the burglar would not have pointed his gun at him. This is a tough call but I was trained if there was no immediate danger to personal life, it's better to be a good witness. Maybe taking information down and even taking a photo from cover would be better.

 

[turbo6]

Doubt he'll be charged. In NC people get a pat on the back for that sort of thing. Ive read many instances were shooters in NC pull the trigger under questionable conditions with no charges filed.

I don't necessarily think his intentions were wrong but shooting at a fleeing vehicle is also illegal in many jurisdictions. Shooting when faced with a gun is another story, though.

I'm all for defending our property but instances like this set a dangerous double standard for gun owners. While this may slide in NC, another state may consider this attempted murder.

Sent from my SGH-T769 using Tapatalk 2

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

I believe crime should be dangerous for the criminal. More criminals should have to pay for their actions, not get into the system where they are actually protected and their rights given priority over those of the victim.

So, I would opt to dial "911" and stand on the sidewalk in front of the home as it is burglarized and film the event with my phone in one hand, handgun in the other behind my back. If the "suspects" chose to attack, then I would be justified in protecting myself.

I should mention, I have been burglarized and have nothing but contempt for a thief.

^^^^^+1^^^^

I'd add a shotgun to the mix.

And remember that when seconds count the police are only minutes away.

Who here really thinks that a 911 call will elicit a quick response in a semi-rural area? If you think so you are delusional at best.

You might be better off calling neighbors for help. "Yo Jim grab your shotgun and come out front, they are breaking into Billy Bob's house this time".