Elderly homeowner shoots alleged robber

[USA1]

Click here to Watch the video

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A homeowner and former police officer fought back after he caught a teenager in his home in east Harris County. The man grabbed his shotgun and put the teen in a hospital.

A husband and wife call what happened unfortunate, but said they did what they had to do.

These days Robert Cole is never far from a gun and for good reason. Twice before, he and his wife were almost robbed. Then his glock came to the rescue.

"Put it between his eyes and said, 'Is this the wallet you're looking for?'" said Robert.

However, it was his shotgun that helped protect them Sunday night.

"I didn't have time to get it up on my shoulder, so I just shot from the hip," Robert said.

The couple was awakened by a man breaking into their front window.

"I said, 'Get up.' And she said, 'Get your shotgun,'" said Robert.

By the time they made it out of their bedroom and down the hall, the teenager was already inside and armed himself.

"He was standing right there with a fire extinguisher," Robert said.

So Robert pulled the trigger.

"I was scared he was either going to hurt me or my wife or kill us. I had no other option. It was either him or me," he said.

The man screamed and took off down the street where he collapsed. Mark Galvan, 17, was arrested and then taken to the hospital. It's likely he didn't know who he was messing with.

"I was a captain in the Warren County Sheriff's Office in Lebanon, Ohio," said Robert.

Or that the retired couple have taught firearms training.

"Come on to the gray-haired people," said his wife, Pam Cole.

Now they have 20 little buckshot holes in their walls as a reminder.

"I damn near got Jesus," said Robert.

They also have no regrets.

"Now civilians have to take care of themselves," Robert said.

Pam added, "I'm saying don't mess with us. Or you're going to have a bad result."

Mark Galvan spent part of Monday at Ben Taub Hospital before he was taken to the Harris County Jail. He was already on probation for aggravated assault, now he is charged with burglary and nursing a wound.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office took the Cole's shotgun as part of their investigation, but the law seems pretty clear that they were within their rights.

Click here to Watch the video

[Pete92FS]

Good for them.

Let's hope he gets his shotgun back.

[joe817]

Pam added, "I'm saying don't mess with us. Or you're going to have a bad result."

This puts the old ad campaign "Don't Mess With Texas" in an entirely new light....a good one.

I watched the video. I saw the Glock, but not the shotgun. Saw the shooting magazines, which I could have done without.

But I loved all the Russell prints they had hanging on the walls. (I love western art)

[USA1]

I watched the video. I saw the Glock, but not the shotgun.

From what I understand , the Police took the shotgun as part of their investigation . He should get it back.
At least he still has the Glock in the meantime.

[joe817]

Yes, of course. I shoulda thought about that.

[Beiruty]

The BG is lucky to be alive. Can someone throw him behind bars for like 10 yrs!

[seamusTX]

Am I the only one who thinks these people talked way too much?

If the facts were reported correctly, the termination of the home invasion robbery was completely justified, but they don't need to explain themselves to the world.

- Jim

[Beiruty]

They said what happened and if they are justifed, so what? In TX, if BG breaks into a residence at the 2:00 AM he just asking to be killed!

[seamusTX]

A lot of people have gotten in trouble by running their mouths, when shutting up would have been the wiser option.

- Jim

[Keith B]

Sometimes the bravado needs to be toned down when it comes to these types of events. Vendettas and retaliation are not unheard of. Also, boastful talk like this could possibly trigger someone to take their challenge up and try their luck in a gunfight. Stupid, but possible.

[chabouk]

Am I the only one who thinks these people talked way too much?

No, I agree. But, they can get away with it because the public loves fiesty little old people, they are highly sympathetic to former cops, and they love it when the good guys win and bad guys lose. Prosecutors, being highly sensitive to public opinion, are aware of this.

I would not recommend that Bubba in the trailer park or Javier in the barrio try the same blabbermouth approach.

[seamusTX]

... But, they can get away with it because the public loves fiesty little old people, they are highly sympathetic to former cops, and they love it when the good guys win and bad guys lose. Prosecutors, being highly sensitive to public opinion, are aware of this.

Joe Horn?

Public opinion is extremely fickle. Sometimes they sympathize with the defender, sometimes with the crook.

In this case, public opinion is irrelevant. The case was as clearcut as can be; and the crook didn't die, so the issue won't go to the grand jury.

I just would not want that kind of attention.

I would not recommend that Bubba in the trailer park or Javier in the barrio try the same blabbermouth approach.

- Jim

[cougartex]

Sometime the less said the better.

[marksiwel]