Houston: Burglary does not go as planned

[seamusTX]

A resident at an apartment in the 200 block of Pruitt near the Woodlands (north Houston, swank area for the most part) came home Thursday night to find several men inside. They tied him up. He got loose as they fled, retrieved a pistol, and shot at their vehicles.

One vehicle struck the resident. He was taken to the hospital. The extent of his injuries is not reported.

A short time later, a vehicle crashed in the area. The driver was found to have been shot in the chest. Do the math.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/lo ... e_invasion" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I sure wish we had a lot more detail on this story.

It has been a rough few days in Houston -- home invasions, drive-by shootings, car-jackings. I'd be on the computer all morning trying to list them.

- Jim

[Grammy]

I lived in Alexan Spring apartments when I first moved in 2005, its right at Pruitt Road and I-45. Its mostly an upscale apertment complex thats gated, hope all turns out well for the victim. Situational awareness is key no matter where you may be.
Jim

[seamusTX]

Yeah. What I really want to know is whether the resident was aware that his apartment that had been breached. Most burglars, if they have two brain cells to rub together, open the doors so that they can flee easily.

When this guy recovers, I'll bet he goes to a CHL class real soon.

It sounds to me like his actions were justified. Maybe not prudent, but legal.

- Jim

[USA1]

When this guy recovers, I'll bet he goes to a CHL class real soon.

it seems too many people are reactive rather than proactive .
i guess better late than never .

[seamusTX]

Most law-abiding middle-class people (including me) will go through life never being in a situation where they could use a weapon. That, and the considerable cost and effort that are required to get a CHL, keep the numbers low.

I'll bet a lot of people, in their CHL class, say that they are there because they were mugged, or had a home break-in attempt, or some such event.

- Jim

[redoregon]

...started shooting at the suspects as they drove away?

Uh-oh...

[seamusTX]

Presumably the criminals had his stolen property, which would make the shooting justifiable. This was a case of burglary, robbery, and unlawful restraint. You can't shoot to punish criminals after the fact, but you can use deadly force if necessary to recover stolen property.

It's also not clear whether he shot first or they tried to run over him first. If they tried to run over him first, he would have been justified in defending himself.

I'm not endorsing shooting at moving cars. Too many things can go wrong. But it is justifiable sometimes.

- Jim

[redoregon]

Good point... I guess it'll all come out in the wash...

[casingpoint]

I'll bet a lot of people, in their CHL class, say that they are there because they were mugged, or had a home break-in attempt, or some such event

No, they've been reading all these crime stories you post, and realize Tony Soprano was right, "Get yourself a gun."

[seamusTX]

Thanks, but I think you overestimate my influence.

It seems most people hear about these crimes and think, that's terrible, and then return to their regularly scheduled program.

- Jim