North Richland Hills man shoots intruder

[frankie_the_yankee]

Frankie says this guy is either no billed or the county prosecutor doesn't even bother to take it to a grand jury.

[camjr]

More info this morning in the Startlegram.

http://www.star-telegram.com/local/story/530288.html

If this all bears out, it sounds like the guy played it by the book.

[Vic303]

Well, that certainly changes the story favorably for the homeowner.

[smyrna]

From the linked second story...

He even jumped a little fence towards me and said, 'Go ahead. Shoot me.'"

Billy fired, hitting the man in the shoulder. He ran back into the house to be sure his wife was calling 911, then returned to the back yard to check on the wounded man.

"He was down, but trying to get up," Billy said. "He saw me, and this time he told me not to shoot."

Poetic justice! I guess that little 147 grain pill changed his mind!

[45 4 life]

Whats going to be sad is when our justice system allows the wounded perp and family to sue the homeowner. At this point I wish this would go to the Grand Jury and then get kicked, it may help if the lawsuit should come up.

[flintknapper]

You're missing my point--the trespasser was no longer an immediate threat to the home or residents as the writeups indicate he had left the back door and was in the side yard. The shooting has certain similarities to the Joe Horn issue (IIRC the name right) where the man observed a burglary next door, called the cops (who did not arrive until after), then exited the relative safety of his home & shot the burglar.

We can argue the tactical soundness of the homeowner seeking out the intruder, but in regards to the law... he is golden IMO.

Some folks will wrestle with moral implications as well. Each person must decide for themselves what they are willing to shoot someone over (within the confines of the law).

In this case, (from what information we have)...there seems to have been an unlawful attempt to enter into the home. Even though the perp has temporarily ceased his activity, we have no assurance that he is not simply going to another part of the home to find a way in. This may have prompted the homeowner to investigate, rather than wait on the police.

At the least, this is "Criminal Mischief at Night"....and the law allows for the response the homeowner ultimately used.

Again, we can question (for ourselves) whether or not it is wise to go and confront the threat, but we never relinquish our "right" to do so.

[flintknapper]

Here is our answer:

Children in bed:
Billy said he was bold only because the man was on the side of the house where his 5-year-old son was sleeping. His 13-year-old son also was home. Both children slept through the confrontation and shooting.
"If he got past me, who would be around to stop him?" Billy said. "The main thing for me was that I was the last line of defense for my family."

He'd "walk" if I was on a jury.

[45 4 life]

If someone has tried to break into your home and has not tried to covertly enter, I believe I read that he tried breaking throgh a door. You cannot sit and wait for the police to arrive unless you have gathered the family into one area and have that area properly secured. You must do one of two things either gather everyone and secure your position as mentioned or go on the offensive in order to place yourself between the threat and your loved ones.

Just because the kicking at the door has stopped you will not find me waiting for support. The perp may have just moved to find an easier way inside that could well be someones bedroom window. The BG has already shown he was willing to confront someone by recklessly trying entry at the door. He was coming in and really did not care if someone heard him. That is very bad indicator, normally something drugs or mental condition would fuel. Professional burglars do not seek confortation and will try and be in stealth mode, in and out quietly and live to steal another day. This BG did not care if he had to hurt someone, or was incrediably stupid.

Either way I think the homeowner did the right thing. He had a decision to make and make quickly, that done he acted very responsibly. He can be my neighbor anytime.

[flintknapper]

This BG did not care if he had to hurt someone, or was incrediably stupid.

He even jumped a little fence towards me and said, 'Go ahead. Shoot me.'"

"He was down, but trying to get up," Billy said. "He saw me, and this time he told me not to shoot."

Definitely stupid, but "catching on".

[The Annoyed Man]

I recently began a new job in North Richland Hills. It was after I started that someone let me know that NRH can be a little "skootchy" in places. I'm glad I have my CHL.

[Venus Pax]

Whats going to be sad is when our justice system allows the wounded perp and family to sue the homeowner. At this point I wish this would go to the Grand Jury and then get kicked, it may help if the lawsuit should come up.

I think he'll be okay.
The Castle Doctrine offers some protection against civil liabilities.

[tsteven1]

This is an excellent discussion, folks. I've got a son in NRH.

[lionswrath79]

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/529177.html

North Richland Hills man shoots intruder
BY DOMINGO RAMIREZ JR.ramirez@star-telegram.com
Related Content
Crime Time blog
Laura Street North Richland Hills Texas
Map data ©2008 Tele Atlas - Terms of UseMapSatelliteHybridNORTH RICHLAND HILLS -- A homeowner shot a man early this morning who police say tried to get into his home through a back door, authorities said.

The 27-year-old North Richland Hills man was shot in the shoulder and taken to a local hospital, police said. His condition was unavailable.

No other injuries were reported.

The incident happened about 12:30 a.m. in the 7900 block of Laura St.

The 30-year-old homeowner told police that he was asleep when he heard someone trying to get into his home through a back door. While his wife called 911, the homeowner armed with a handgun went out to investigate, police said.

The homeowner fired once when he saw the man in a side backyard, police said.

When police arrived, the 27-year-old man was on the ground in the backyard, North Richland Hills police Sgt. Greg Trickey said this morning.

Police plan to present the case to the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office for consideration of any possible charges against the homeowner.

This is about 5 miles from my home. Last week, a "fake" NRH cop pulled a man over and robbed him in the same general area. The week before that, there was a road-rage type shooting in the NE mall parking lot.
This used to be a nice quiet area.

There was a shooting at the NE Mall in the parking lot? That scares the crap out of me, we go to that mall about once every month or so.

[HighVelocity]

Yep, NE mall. http://www.star-telegram.com/231/story/514411.html