AL: Man holds burglar at gunpoint for a short time

[seamusTX]

Daphne, Alabama (northeast coast of Mobile Bay), Wednesday, June 24 -- A man who was asleep in his home was awakened by the burglar alarm in his adjacent business. He armed himself and investigated. He found a burglar in a storage room. He advised the burglar to stay put.

He called 911. The dispatcher told him to "clear the weapon." He did. The burglar fled.

The business owner then fired "a couple of shots. I didn't want to kill him. I just wanted to make him change his shorts."

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Telling defenders to disarm themselves seems to be S.O.P. for 911 dispatchers. Anyone have any insight into that?

Shooting at empty-handed fleeing burglars is not on my to-do list. This guy is lucky not be charged with some offense.

- Jim

[dewayneward]

I cant imagine why anyone would put their weapon down when the bad guy is still there. The only time I would put my weapon down is when I am ordered to by a police officer that is ON THE SCENE.

[TheBlake]

[bryang]

That is a little crazy. It is easy for the dispatcher to say that from where they are at, but it could be suicide where you are at. I will secure my weapon when there is an officer on the scene.

And as far as shooting at a fleeing, empty handed burglar to scare him definitely a no, no...especially after you put up your gun and let him go.

-geo