'I have the right to protect myself:' Washington man shoots, kills suspected home burglar
By: qfox (FOX News Seattle Washington KCPQ)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Deputies investigating home invasion shooting in Spanaway
A homeowner shot at two suspected burglars, killing one
SPANAWAY, Wash. - A resident shot and killed a home intruder in Spanaway early Thursday, and a second suspect escaped, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.
Deputies said the 31-year-old resident, Jerahme Smith, shot at two men who tried to break into his house near A St. E. and 165th St. E. around 4:00 a.m.
The homeowner told police he shot at the suspects as they kicked in his back door. The intruders then ran into the front yard where deputies later found one of the suspects dead. The other suspect ran off.
Smith said he has been renting the home with his wife and children for the past three years. Smith explained he and his sister were in the house when the suspects kicked down the back door. Smith said he acted in self-defense.
"When everything first started, the first thing I had to do was take a few breaths and calm myself down because I knew it could have gone one of two ways. I didn't know who they were, I didn't know what they had, but the first thing I did--and it's the honest to God truth--is I took a few breaths to myself. That way I knew I was calm enough to make a proper judgment decision," said Smith.
'I have the right to protect myself:' Spanaway man shoots, kills suspected home burglar
The Pierce County Sheriff's Office says a man in Spanaway shot and killed one of two men he said were trying to break into his home.
Investigators have not released any further information about the suspects but said that the man who died was 24-years-old.
While detectives continue investigating the case, Smith said he will continue standing by his actions.
"It kind of goes back to your rights. I have the right to carry and I have the right to protect myself and I have the right to protect my property," said Smith. "Protect yourself. That doesn't mean go looking for it, that means just be ready."
People who live in the area said crime has been increasing in the neighborhood. One man said he recently bought security lights and a surveillance camera to help protect his home.
"If it ain't one thing it's another," said the man, who asked to keep his identity private. "That kind of upsets me that we have this kind of crime going on in the neighborhood. It's not a good feeling because we don't know—it could be something happening tomorrow, tonight, you know? Same ol' thing."
READ NEXT: Deputies: Man shot, killed contractor after arguing about cost of tile work
Article is LOCKED by author/seeder
Tags
Who is online
470 visitors
This was less than five miles from where I live... Is it any reason I carry a weapon again... We have had 5 murders the last year all within 9 miles of my home, Three car jackings in the last week...
There is very little Law and Order around here anymore.... My Neighbors are preparing to protect themselves and to hell with 911, The would never get here in time, let them pick up the pieces...
Thanks Governuer Inslee...
I hope you don't have to take action but sounds like you need to be prepared,
My biggest worry is being gone with the wife alone, there is no way she can take care of herself... Just a reality one has to face in this state...
My advice ..... move out of places the left has allowed to become a shithole.
Plenty of better places to live. I live in one.
Our yearly murder rate is lower than most shitholes weekend murder rate.
I agree, but there are financial consideration that prevent such...
Oh i understand and sympathize
As many on NT are aware, I live in Cochise County in a rural small town in SE Arizona right on the AZ/Mexico border. My house is 6 blocks from the border fence and I can look out my front door and see Mexico. AZ is a open carry state that allows legal AZ residents to carry open or concealed without a permit required. A large percentage of the local populace do carry including yours truly. For most of my married life, my late wife refused to allow any firearms, loaded or otherwise, to be stored in our home. Then about 8 years ago we were the victims of a home invasion by armed illegal aliens. The two of us came home to find two of them in our home. We were tied up and beat up while they robbed us before leaving. Fortunately, they just robbed us and then left. After that, my wife told me, "I don't care what you have to do, but go buy a gun to keep in the house to keep us and our grandkids safe!". The next day I went out and bought a 9 mm pistol, a trigger lock, and a upright gun safe. I proceeded to teach wife, my daughter, and my two grandkids that lives with us however safely use the weapon. Courtesy of 20 years of military service, I was already rated as a expert marksman with a 9 mm pistol.
As it should be Doc.
I for one am glad you and your loved one made it through that traumatic event.
Some tight ass in NYC or Chicago will never understand such things but will continue to shout their sanctimonious anti-gun bullshit from the highest skyscraper they can find.
I probably would have moved because I would not have been able to have any peace.
You and your wife are very strong brave people. Sorry both of you had to experience that.
I'm sorry that you had to go thru that my friend.. you never think your going to need one till you do...
It's always seems to come to that doesn't it...
Do you have dogs?
I used to have one, Duke, A little ankle biter but he would have died defending his home....
Glad he was able to protect himself and his sister. Kicking your door in at 4AM that's scary
It does cause you to pause and consider the alternatives... and with the political spectrum out here it's going to get worse before it gets better...
There’s no doubt that that would be a scary situation.
Actually, it sucks to see the victim identified so prominently. He's now subject to being 'Rittenhoused' - or 'Cecil Lioned".
Yep, one of the risks of living in a Liberal media state.... Definitely cause to watch out.... They haven't identified the dead burglar yet so there is a lot of speculation rampant, but eventually they will, they also haven't caught his accomplice yet which is probably why...
Yeah, and you notice they identified the name of the victim of the breaking but not identify the name of the perp? Definitely something wrong with that picture!
That is definitely wrong and intended by the msm
Probably another one of our fine 13 percenters.
If it wasn't, they be all over that like white on rice
Pun intended ....
Wow, no liberals saying "He should have shot him in the leg" or "He is insured, he just should have let them take what they want"?
It's early yet LOL. If they even show up. They can't stand a good guy with a gun stories.
Not yet brother, and to be honest, probably not going to see any given the state of gun rights and where it is headed... That boat sailed 12 years ago Thanks to President Obama, one of the very FEW good things he actually did...
Top gun salesman of the 2000's is Obama so far.
Although i hear Joe is going to take a shot at it next year as well.
Pun intended
Yep I hear that as well, I don't think they are going to get around Obama on that one... It was Obama that intimated after his study was published , Gun Control is effectively dead in this country....
And the study...
PRIORITIES FOR RESEARCH TO REDUCE THE THREAT OF FIREARM-RELATED VIOLENCE
Is a very interesting read, I'll post a summary here...
CDC Gun Research Backfires on Obama
Gun control is dead, no matter what the government does, they cannot get around that study unless they drastically change the amount and types of data collected, cause currently there is insufficient data to make good government policy....
Not worried about Joe and gun control...
All the small arms firearms training I had in 20 years in the military and the ones I have attended after retiring always advocated aiming for center mass, i.e. the largest parts of the body as in chest, torso, and abdominal area to ensure a first round hit. The fact is that the vast majority of shooters in a crisis situation are just not good enough shots to hit small areas like extremities on the first shot. If one does manage to do so, it most likely a matter of luck which I choose not to rely upon.
DT to the COM ...... SOP
I have no problem with the guy shooting the invader, everyone has a right to defend their home and family.OMG, I'm a democrat as well.
Break into or try a home invasion in my house and you'll be met with a Stevens 520/30 Trench Gun, dead slam full military from a heat shield to a bayonet holder and that is backed up with a long barrel 38 with a heavy penetration load. If for some reason they survive the next thing is a throwing tomahawk and or throwing darts, both quick and deadly.
And yes I carried the Stevens for 24 months in combat so I'm goddamn good with it as well with most military small arms/light weapons.
Nice weapon Brother...
I have a JM 930 dressed up military that is almost as effective....
Damned fine weapon..
I went cheap with a Mossberg 535 tactical for my home defense weapon
I love the pistol grip, ghost ring and compact overall length, 18.5" barrel. A bit wanting in capacity but i figure if i can't get it done with 5 + 1 i deserve what's coming.
“I went cheap”
that’s smart because if you ever use it for self defense LE will take it as evidence and sometimes it doesn’t come back in the shape it was in when they took it.
Great, now I need to get another gun. No way in hell are they taking my .357 magnum Chiappa Rhino if I need to use it for home defense.
That is what I get for buying a gun that I tested out at the gun range; and thought it was the easiest to use. Think the instructor would have mentioned that to me, he knew it was for self defense. Sigh, I must have had the word sucker printed on my forehead.
Wow, i had to google it because i had never heard of that gun before, she’s a beaut!
I was told that when i took my conceal carry course in colorado. It may vary from state to state.
I didn't even know what a Rhino gun was until they had me test it out.
Sorry to say I didn't do well with 9mm. Outside of firing my buddies nickel plated 9mm berretta on his farm I didn't have any experience with guns. I think I gave the instructor a headache going through all the 9mm guns he brought out. The only one I liked had so many accessories it was the same price as the gun I bought.
I do own a shotgun, that I really don't like, the Kel Tec KSG. Before anyone says anything I didn't buy it. I inherited it when my friend died of cancer. He loved testing out guns; and knew I would never buy a shotgun. It is good for my home. I have it nicely placed so I can get to it if I need to on the main floor. It is the most wide open area of the compartmentalized house I live in. It is great if I have to start out on the main floor. The hallways going upstairs and to the basement are very narrow. The rooms upstairs are very small. If I don't mind damaging everything in sight it is a great gun. This is if I don't use it as a club after not being able to get it to load properly first that is. I really, really, hate loading it.
Shotguns are the best choice for home defense, (imo) especially a tactical one like yours. i hope to hell we never have to use one for it’s intended purpose, but if we do, we are ready.
i would have to both agree and disagree with that . i would agree because of how simple they are to use , i would have to disagree because i am of the premise that the best home defense firearm one could have is one that they can use accurately with consistancy, its the same for hunting dangerous game , one doesnt need the big high output or powered firearm , if they cant use it correctly , but they can a smaller and slightly less powerful one , it is afer all personal preference and what one is comfortable using .
To some a shotgun , even in smaller guages , is unforgiving , what they can use best consistantly is what is the best home defense weapon for them .
wouldnt be hard to make a "masterkey " with that or the hi standard i have about the same specs , my barrel is a quarter inch longer though , but i got it as a teen for 50 bucks at a police sale ( when they still did those things ) and it was the towns old cruiser shotgun . all i need is a couple radiator clamps and to remove the butt.
* note to those that might not know , a "masterkey ", is combining both a shotgun and a rifle to be carried at the same time being able to use both without having to drop a weapon to get the other . think of how the military use to have a grenade launcher mounted on an M-16 , same principle .
A masterkey is very useful for breaching doors , and if the person is a trained shotgunner , rounds can be literally "bounced " around corners and under obstructions .
i wont get into "cut "shotgun rounds , dont need to be giving folks ideas ....
I agree 100% that one should use what they are most comfortable with. I still think a shotgun is best platform for home defense. But whatever weapon one chooses for home defense it is of utmost importance to be very familiar with not only loading, cycling, and firing it, but also maintaining it.
I actually enjoy cleaning and maintaining the guns. I find it relaxing; and I bought some very nice fabric diagrams with tools included- where I can lay the parts out for each so I don't lose track of them. Or at least until my cat comes and lays on it while I am cleaning. Thankfully outside of laying on them- she doesn't actually move any of the parts. I can usually dissuade her from doing it if I have my laptop up and running- and she can lay on the keyboard.
Once I get the Kel Tec KSG loaded I can operate it easily enough. I just make sure to fire until empty; and cycle a few times to be safe. I have had spent shell casings get stuck while discharging if it is fired too fast. But it usually frees itself after a few cycles. From the videos I have seen that is not usually the case. I must be one of the lucky ones that has a weapon that operates to manufacturer specs.
Oh the humanity ...... you must have a gun fetish .......
well the sound of a pump action is likely one of the most recognizable sounds one would hear in the dark ....
personally i have one of those ( actually a couple ) and a couple auto -5s , one a remington md 11 and the other inherited from dad which is the REAL browning auto five hump back made in belgium , hit the bolt release on that in the dark and hear the "shunk" of a round being fed , makes anyones sphincter start doing a pucker dance ....
Without a doubt. I call the sound the ''asshole trigger''
LOL now imagine someone mounting a kids bike horn ( like clowns honk) on the pump , and they put on let the bodies hit the floor ....all around bad time for the home invader ... someone or something is about to go midevil on them ....
Yeah the 930 does the same... Unmistakable sound...
latest i got about a year ago now , changed the grips , dropped the trigger guard , yes you see right , those are .410 shells as well as .45 LC it fires ......I hate snakes ......
also picked up a second barrel for it chambered in .45 acp , i have a crapton amount of ammo in that cal as well as reload that .
That's cool, like a mini Governor. I bet it's a handful to fire with a decent load?
The Long colts are 255 grn soft lead , barely bucks , i use #6 shot 2.5 inch shotshells , again , barely a push , but like i said i changed the grips to a little bigger , they call them standard oversize , and removed the trigger guard , derringer triggers are NOT like other handgun triggers and need to be pushed down and back , not straight back .
With the ACP barrel its very comfortable .but i got it a half inch longer than the 45/410 barrel.
its not meant for distance , so about 20 yrds is max the ACP a little further .either barrel within that distance , it will make someone believe they are having a very BAD day .
And i am not above using some of my own "homebrewed" rounds , like the .410 "dragons breath" ..... just dont be looking downrange when that ones touched off ... if i dont hit them , they will be able to be tracked by the smell.....
of course , its made in texas ....knew you would like that .
Nice piece, that your carry weapon or the emergency weapon... Me I'm still carrying my M-40... I know small only 7 rounds but they are .40 smith... and if I can't do it in 7 I shouldn't be carrying... I got a crap load of .40 as well... My other handgun is a G-35, it can consume a lot of rounds very quickly...
over the past year it has pretty much been turned into my go to for EDC , there is a method to my madness .
its easier to carry when out in the fields , takes care of what i face like the feral dogs , and of course rattlers ( did i mention i really hate snakes ?)
when in town if its seen it doesnt cause the scene that carrying my 1911 sometimes causes amoung tourists ( they actually think its cute) and start asking questions about it and how dependable or effective it could be so in this case size actually does matter and it being so small and compact its not that intimidating .
because its 2 shots , it doesnt carry the impression someone is out to start a mass shooting , and if i ever have to use it under the conditions i set for myself , it would be really hard to prove it is anything but a defensive weapon . and being its single action , it has the inherent built in safety qualities i like with a couple added ones the company that makes it also incorperated , such as the rebounding hammer , that makes it even if dropped the hammer will not hit the firing pins and cause an accidental discharge , for it to fire , it has to be cocked fully and the trigger has to be depressed and the cross bolt safety has to be in the fire position, the cross bolt safety also can be set so that it can not be moved to the fire position , so if kids get it , they cant accidently put it in fire mode . .
I also like th fact i can swap out barrels by simply removing 1 screw to any number of different cals from .380 on up to the larger so called man stoppers .. added bonus is its fairly inexpensive at about 315 bucks , and the barrels range from 130 and up., at those prices , i was very happy with the quality and fit and finish that comes with the model i chose .
as for reloading? with the 45 acp barrel i simply carry a mag for the 1911 and hand feed when needed , in the case of the 45/410 , the picture shows that set up , again , no one can say im planning to take out mass quantities of humanity if that is all i am carrying .
Very logical, handles most varmints four and two legged, (and the occasional slither) without upsetting the wall flowers.....
I had a friend here who used to carry a .45 derringer in a belt buckle for the same reason, most didn't even know it was a real gun...
funny incident , local LEO i know asked to see it , i opened and unloaded it and handed it to him , he was somewhat skeptical about it , , said with such a short barrel one could see if it was loaded or not if it was pointed at them , i said yup in my typical maine down east way , then handed him the rounds , he looked at the 410 didnt say anything , looked at the colt round and side eyed me , i had etched a smiley face on the lead of the round ,,,,will not repeat what he said .....
have a nice day .....
Smile when you see the flash....
How much do one of those cost?
Smith & Wesson Governor .410/45 Stainless Revolver | Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore (sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com)
If your asking about the derringer , entry level price for a roughneck or rowdy is about $320 with tax here in wyoming .
being you are in california , you have a problem , the combination i have , the .410/45 , is not available in california due to state restrictions , bond arms , the company that makes them will not sell or ship them there. in other words , they are NOT california compliant , nor on the approved list that can be sold legally in california .
of course the price goes up with different models due to polishing , and grades , the one i have is bare bones get the job done . hense the names for the 2 mods i mentioned , roughneck , or rowdy . just as good as the polished ones , just without the cost . and all barrels swap out be it polished or bead blasted finish .
barrel length will affect cost as well . 2.5 in up to 6 inch if desired
Back in the day, I worked a lot of night shifts on the docks so my wife and two kids were home alone. She is an expert with a 38 (the same one I have today). The neighborhood we lived in was borderline. I knew the ''White Fence'' gang and they knew me as I was El Indio (the Indian) to them so they were fairly cool around me and my family, but as back up for my family, I had a Dojo Argentino named Pajarito (little bird) and two pitties, Puki and Brandy. Pajarito weighed over 100 lbs and Puki and Brandy were in the 75 lb class. All highly trained to guard the family which is also their natural instinct. Pajarito had a bite psi of over 500 lbs psi and the pitties had in the 250 lb range. Needless to say, no one ever tried to break into the house.
I recommend a Cane Corso for night protection since the ducks all walk over to the lake at night.
Just saw this article on MSN. Thought y'all might appreciate it. The article named the criminal instead of the victim.
That's the way it should be done... The crook is NEVER the victim...
I love the castle doctrine…