An Oceanside, Calif., resident was allegedly confronted by a group of six people breaking into his home Nov. 10, 2021. The resident was able to retrieve his own firearm and shoot at the invaders, striking at least one of the men. The intruders returned fire before fleeing the scene. Responding officers found a 31-year-old wounded suspect inside the home and rendered medical aid, but the man died of his injuries. The remaining attackers fled in a vehicle but were pulled over; officers found a 29-year-old man with a gunshot wound but it was unclear whether the armed citizen or one of the other invaders had shot him. He was taken to the hospital in stable condition. The surviving suspects were all arrested on suspicion of robbery and murder. According to police, one of them recently had been convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and was out on bond awaiting sentencing when the incident occurred. (sandiegouniontribune.com, San Diego, Calif., 11/10/21 and timesofsandiego.com, Del Mar, Calif., 11/10/21)
On the evening of Nov. 18, 2021, a store employee in Seattle, Wash., called 911 to report an armed robbery and shooting. Arriving law-enforcement officers were told that four or five armed males, wearing hooded jackets and masks, held the store employees at gunpoint while they stole money and merchandise. However, one of the employees was able to retrieve a firearm and shoot at the men, causing them to flee. Two of the suspects later went to the hospital with gunshot wounds. Once released, the men were arrested and booked for robbery in the first degree. The remaining suspects had not yet been found. (komonews.com, Seattle, Wash., 11/19/21 and thenewstribune.com, Tacoma, Wash., 11/20/21)
A 74-year-old female resident of Ferndale, Calif., called 911 to report an alleged burglary in progress on the evening of Nov. 20, 2021. Upon arrival, deputies found the septuagenarian detaining a 21-year-old male with her personal firearm. The resident fully cooperated with the deputies’ request to set her gun down, and once her firearm was rendered safe, the suspect was taken into custody. During the investigation, the deputies learned that the resident came home to find her door open and several items out of place. She then found the intruder still inside, but was able to draw her firearm, holding the man in place until police arrived. The suspect was arrested and charged with first-degree burglary. (humboldtgov.org, Eureka, Calif., 11/11/21 and krcrtv.com, Redding, Calif., 11/12/21)
A 42-year-old concealed-carry license and FOID card holder stopped at a bank in Chicago on Nov. 29, 2021, to get cash. She had just returned to her vehicle and was about to lock her door when a man suddenly opened it and allegedly pointed a gun in her face. Fortunately, the woman was prepared. She drew her own gun and fired at the assailant. “When he saw me get [my gun], he looked surprised,” the woman told reporters. “And I started shooting, and he started running.” After the man fled, the woman went into the bank to call police. She told the media she believes her decision to concealed carry saved her life. Police were still investigating the attack. (chicago.cbslocal.com, 11/29/21 and abc7chicago.com, Chicago, Ill., 11/30/21)
A man allegedly broke into a family home in Baxter Springs, Kan., around 8 p.m. Nov. 29, 2021. The residents in the home—a man, a woman and two juveniles—said the man entered and assaulted one of them. The family retreated to a bedroom, but the home invader followed. The male resident fired several shots at the attacker, striking him twice in the leg. Police responding to the family’s call found the wounded man leaving the area and arrested him. He was charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated assault and criminal damage to property. (newstalkkzrg.com; Joplin, Mo., 11/20/21)
The early-morning hours of Dec. 9, 2021, started with a bang as the back door to a residence, in Spanaway, Wash., was kicked in by two unknown men. The 31-year-old resident and his wife, children and sister were asleep when the men kicked in the door. The man was awakened by the commotion and was able to arm himself and fired at the intruders, striking one of them. The suspects turned and ran out of the house into the front yard, where the wounded one fell and the second man ran away. Paramedics found the wounded man in the yard deceased from his injuries. The second intruder remained at large and the investigation was ongoing. “Protect yourself,” the resident said when speaking to reporters. “That doesn’t mean go looking for it; that means just be ready.” (q13fox.com, Seattle, Wash., 12/9/21)
