Category: Feel Good Stories

From WILLIAMSTON, N.C. 

A homeowner in Williamston shot a suspect who he saw in his driveway breaking into vehicles, deputies said.  The Martin County Sheriff’s Office responded to 3256 Bailey Road in Williamston in reference to someone that had been shot.  Deputies arrived on the scene, secured the area and contacted investigators.

An investigation revealed that one of the homeowners was inside the residence and observed an individual breaking into the vehicles that were parked in the homeowner’s driveway.

The homeowner armed themselves with a handgun and went outside to confront the suspect.  Deputies said that during the confrontation, a single shot was fired by the homeowner, which struck the suspect.  The suspect was transported to Martin General Hospital by the Williamston Fire/Rescue Department and then airlifted to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville for further medical treatment.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is assisting deputies with the investigation.

The case is still under investigation.

From Prince George’s County, MD   Just a public service announcement,  If you come to bust down my door I don’t care what you are screaming in the process.  Two very lucky LEO’s in this case and the Judges who rubber stamp these warrants are never held accountable…ever.  That needs to change.

A police search warrant team going after a drug dealer targeted the wrong address and burst into the apartment of an innocent resident who shot and wounded two officers believing they were home invaders, Prince George’s law enforcement officials said.

Police Chief Hank Stawinski apologized for the error Thursday and said he has halted executing search warrants until the department reviews how it corroborates information to confirm addresses and the location of investigative targets.

As soon as officers entered the apartment, the man inside immediately surrendered when he realized police were on the other side of the door, Stawinski said.

The man yelled, “‘You’ve got the wrong address! Don’t shoot my daughter!’?” according to Stawinski.

No criminal charges will be filed against the resident, who fired at police with a shotgun, said Stawinski, adding that police “did not draw the right conclusion” about their target.

“We served the search warrant at the address that we identified through the investigation, however the investigation led us to the wrong address,” Stawinski said. “The individual that we are targeting does not live at that address .?.?. a law-abiding, hard-working citizen of Prince George’s County and his daughter were home at the point where we were executing that search warrant.”

The incident began about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday as police were on the third floor of a garden-style apartment in the 2700 block of Lorring Drive in Forestville. Nine officers from the Emergency Services Team, essentially a SWAT team, knocked on the door and announced that they were police, department spokeswoman Jennifer Donelan said.

Hearing no response from inside, police began using a device to pry open the door to the unit, Donelan said. The man inside fired a shotgun at the team “as soon as they were able to open that door,” Donelan said.

An officer fired back but didn’t strike anyone inside the apartment, Donelan said. Two officers were wounded, one in the shoulder and one in the hand.

The resident and his daughter had fallen asleep in front of the television and did not hear police announce themselves, Stawinski said. When the father awoke to a commotion, he believed home invaders were trying to break in, and instructed his daughter to run and hide, Stawinski said.

“That individual acted to protect himself and to protect his daughter from what he believed to be the threat of home invasion,” Stawinski said. “I am confident that he did not intentionally fire that weapon at police officers because they were police officers .?.?. this man was devastated when he realized he had fired upon police officers.”

From IRVINGTON, AL

Mobile County deputies were flagged down on Padgett Switch Road around 3:00 p.m. for reports of a homeowner shooting a suspected burglar.

Captain Paul Burch reports an elderly homeowner set up a security system because of previous break-ins to the property. The homeowner said he was alerted Wednesday afternoon of someone breaking into the property and went to see what was happening.

When he arrived to the property, he said there were 2 men burglarizing a shed. There was an altercation, and that’s when the homeowner fired shots, striking one of the suspected burglars.

MSCO says Travis Carter was shot in the head, but injuries appear to not be life-threatening. Carter is being charged with burglary.

Captain Burch says the second suspect Craig Cumbie, is in custody as well.

As of right now, there have been no charges issued for the homeowner, but authorities will be handing the case over to the District Attorney’s office

From DEER LODGE, TN 

Authorities in eastern Tennessee say a 12-year-old boy shot and killed his mother’s husband during a domestic dispute.

News outlets report 56-year-old Kevron Thomas “Tommy” Durham was shot twice with a rifle Saturday night. A release from District Attorney General Russell Johnson says authorities had received at least five previous calls from the home for domestic violence, although none resulted in criminal charges.

It’s unclear whether Durham was the boy’s father or stepfather.

Johnson says authorities believe the child was coming to the defense of his mother, a repeated victim of domestic violence. He says authorities are determining what they “can do through juvenile court with the suspect.” He says juvenile court can provide counseling and services, but that if he were an adult, he wouldn’t be charged for defending a third party.

From Houston, TX

Police are looking for a man who forced himself inside a family’s home in southeast Houston and shot the homeowner.

While the family was sleeping, the intruder broke in and said he was a cop, according to the Houston Police Department.  Both the intruder and the homeowner pulled out guns when they got into a scuffle inside the home on Loper St. and Falvey St, says police. The intruder shot the homeowner in the hand and fled the scene.

According to HPD, the homeowner was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

Police said this scene is still under investigation. They have no description of the suspect.

From Hardin County, KY

A Nelson County man shot in the head by a homeowner after he reportedly forced his way into a Hall Road residence last week, will appear today in Hardin District Court to face two charges of second-degree burglary.

Christopher Ira Little, 30, of Boston, Kentucky, has been hospitalized since last Friday at University Hospital in Louisville. He was booked Wednesday afternoon into the Hardin County Detention Center and bond in his case will be set today.

Second-degree burglary is a Class C felony punishable by five to 10 years in prison, if convicted.

Little was charged Monday by Kentucky State Police after police say he broke into two homes on Hall Road within 30 minutes of each other. He was shot in the head as he forced his way into a second residence in the 500 block of Hall Road in eastern Hardin County.

According to an arrest citation, Little first went to a neighboring home where he attempted to enter through the front door. A woman at the home wouldn’t let him in. Little then went around to the back of the home and forced open a small window, unlocked the door and entered the home, police said.

The woman hid in a bedroom of her home with a firearm, according to the report. Little reportedly asked the woman, “Why did you call the police?” and then fled prior to KSP’s arrival, police said.

Little was found across the road where a male homeowner shot him as he made his way into the residence. KSP was called by a woman at the second residence who said her husband had shot someone breaking into their home, according to police.

Little was airlifted from the home with non-life-threatening injuries.

From Hardin, KY …  Never mess with a man’s dog, kin folks should know better.

A Vine Grove man was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with first-degree assault — domestic violence after reportedly running over his daughter’s legs three times with a pickup truck.

Charles Rakes, 55, was arrested by the Vine Grove Police Department on a warrant following an incident Tuesday afternoon. According to an arrest warrant, Rakes ran over the woman’s legs multiple times with his 1992 Toyota pickup truck on Blackjack Road in Radcliff.

The arrest documents said Rakes and the woman argued over his dog getting out of his truck at her home.The woman said she disagreed with that account and is unaware why her father was angry. She said he showed up at her home and was chasing a friend with a metal rod. He then “intentionally struck” the woman with his vehicle and ran over her legs, according to the warrant.

He reportedly backed the truck up across her legs again while she was “lying on the ground,” the warrant stated. He then drove over her a third time before leaving, witnesses told Radcliff police.

The woman suffered serious injuries to both legs and was transported to Hardin Memorial Hospital. On Saturday, she said she is home and recovering, but will need additional treatment. She was told she might have lifelong issues with her legs resulting from muscle and ligament damage.

According to the warrant, he also threatened her with a pry bar or lug wrench before fleeing.

From Clay County, FL

A Clay County, Florida, woman says an armed teen confronted her in a Walmart, demanded sex, then ran out of the store after a customer with a concealed carry license intervened. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office quickly captured the teen and confirmed the details, including the fact that the teen “threatened [the woman] with a knife, while making explicit demands.” CCSO also confirmed that the intervention of the customer caused the teen to flee the store.

The woman at the center of the story, Alis Muntain, used a Facebook post to recount the incident. She began by alleging, “Tonight, I was threatened with a knife in Walmart. In FLEMING ISLAND. I am convinced that I would’ve been stabbed had it not been for the divine timing of another customer walking by who just happened to have a concealed carry license.”

I was making a quick run to get cat food and litter. My arms were so full that I was sitting in the aisle contemplating whether I wanted to put it down and search for a cart when a teenager (15-17) approached me. I thought he was going to see if I needed help, but then he asked how old I was. A bit confused by the question, I just assumed he needed help himself and wanted to verify that I was an adult. I hesitantly replied with my age. He then said “I want you to have sex with me. I have a knife in my pocket.”, proceeding to pull out his pocket and show me that there was indeed a knife there. I blinked, paused, and then said “Are you aware that we’re on camera?”
“Yes.”
“I want to make you aware that I have a husband and a THREE year old son waiting in my car for me. They will be looking for me soon.”
“Yes.”
“And you are threatening me with a knife if I don’t have sex with you?”
“Yes.”

The CCSO found and arrested the teen “in less than 10 minutes from the original call” on the incident.

From Memphis, TN

Memphis police are investigating a deadly shooting which led to a crash in Oakhaven.

At approx. 7:35 a.m., officers responded to a shooting at 3424 Birdsong Ferry. Prelim. info: a male broke into the residence when he was shot by someone inside the home. The susp. fled the scene and crashed near Shelby Dr. and Tchulahoma. The susp. is DOA on the scene.

— Memphis Police Dept (@MEM_PoliceDept) September 17, 2018

It happened around 7:35 a.m. in the 3400 block of Birdsong Ferry.

Here is what we know: A man broke into the home and was shot by someone inside the home.   According to a relative of the burglary victim, the homeowner shot the man.   The suspect fled the scene and crashed near Shelby Drive and Tchulahoma Road.

He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

Leslie Simmons is the burglary victim’s Aunt. She said she’s thankful he was not hurt.

“I was nervous till I got here and I know that he’s ok now,” Simmons said. “However, I’m a little bit sad for the person who got hurt.”

From Gainesville, FL     DRT

A Gainesville man is dead after police say he broke into a northwest condo and was shot by the homeowner.

Police responded to a home on NW 28th Lane at 6:52 a.m. Sunday morning, after the elderly homeowner called police to report he had just shot an intruder in his home.  When police arrived, they found Gregory Miller, 52, lying inside the living room with apparent gunshot wounds.

Officers attempted emergency aid but Miller died on the scene.

Investigators are still working to identify what led up to the shooting.  The elderly homeowner has been cooperative with police, and charges are not expected to be filed.

From Houston, TX     BOTD

Diners at a southwest Houston Whataburger ran for their lives after gunfire erupted overnight.
Police say the 10 customers inside the restaurant at 7629 West Bellfort got out quickly as a security guard shot and killed an armed robber.

“I was literally about to put my chip in to pay and my cousin’s like, ‘Go’,” customer Jayvier Green said.  Witnesses told Eyewitness News that a man with a white bandana entered the restaurant around 1 a.m., and immediately opened fire.  “I see a dude in a white bandana pull out a gun like it’s a movie or something, and start shooting behind the counter,” Green recalled.

The restaurant’s security guard spotted the intruder and returned fire, shooting the man four times in his right leg.  “He’s pretty shaken up, but I explained to him and the other officer explained to him, that he did a great job,” Houston police officer, Cullen Duncan, said.

Police say the suspect continued to move behind the counter, not realizing he had been shot.  Minutes later, the suspect exited the restaurant and tried to flee in an unknown vehicle.

First responders found the man inside of the car and attempted CPR.

Officials say one of the bullets hit an artery, causing the man to bleed out.

No customers or employees were injured during the crossfire.

From Bridgeport, CT

Police are investigating after a woman called to report that her husband had shot an intruder in their home.  The Connecticut Post reports that the woman called 911 at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday to report the shooting.

Police spokesman Av Harris says as officers were heading to the scene, another 911 call came in from someone saying they had been shot. They reported being close by the home where the intruder was shot.

Several officers canvassed the area, searching for a gunshot wound victim for nearly 15 minutes before finding him.

The investigation into the shooting remains active and no names were released.

From West Palm Beach, FL

A man with a concealed-weapons permit shot one of three men who tried to rob him at a gas station just outside West Palm Beach, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said.

He had just paid for his gas and was walking back to his car when three men approached and demanded money. Rather than hand it over, he drew his gun and shot at them, the Sheriff’s Office said.  The wounded would-be robber is in custody and is expected to survive. The attempted robbery happened just before 7 a.m. Saturday at the Shell station at 2970 N. Military Trail, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Teri Barbera.

“The victim, in fear of this life, discharged his firearm, which he has a concealed weapons permit for, striking one of the suspects,” she said, in a statement.

The gas station clerk, who would only identify himself as Mr. Nasser, said the intended victim appeared unhurt.

“The guy came in and paid for the gas and they tried to rob him and he fired at them,” Nasser said. “He was not killed, but somebody was injured.”

The clerk had just arrived at work when he saw the commotion.  “The sheriff’s office was here for about five hours,” he said.  “All three suspects fled,” Barbera said. “The injured suspect is in custody and is expected to survive his wounds.”  There was no immediate word on whether the customer who fired the shots would face any charges.

Sheriff’s deputies were searching for the other two suspects Saturday afternoon

From Birmingham, AL

he shooting happened at about 2 a.m. at a home on 3^rd Avenue North in the Eastlake area. Police said a man was breaking into a house when the homeowner shot him in the stomach.

The homeowner told police he did not know the suspect. Police said they are still investigating the shooting, but they did not arrest the homeowner.

The man who was shot was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.

From Jacksonville, FL

A homeowner was defending himself during an armed robbery in his St. Augustine home.  It’s new insight into the deadly shooting yesterday near the St. Augustine Outlets.

An affidavit for arrest warrant says four people have been charged with first degree murder because the shooting death happened during the commission of a felony.  24-year-old Paul Pettigrew died in the shooting on Cowan Road.  Four men between the ages of 18 and 21 are now in custody, facing murder charges.  St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Commander Chuck Mulligan says the homeowner has not been charged with any crime, and the investigation is ongoing.

The four suspects are identified as Christopher Pettigrew (who is the brother of the deceased), Zared Matthews, Jeffrey Balcom and Xavier Williams.  In addition to the felony murder charge, all four suspect are charged with attempted robbery.

On Thursday, St. Johns County Undersheriff Matthew Cline said their early investigation revealed that five individuals traveled from Duval County to this part of St. Johns County for something drug-related.

“Whether their presence was known by the residents on Cowan Road as being consensual or as a robbery, we’re not quite sure yet. Everyone is being interviewed as we speak. Obviously, things didn’t go very well. There were shots fired and an individual… is deceased on scene,” says Cline.

All four suspects were arrested through the day on Thursday.  “We had deputies that have suffered heat exhaustion. We’ve got deputies that are being treated at Flagler Hospital, as we speak,” says Cline.  But in the end, Cline says it was a citizen tip that led to the capture of the remaining two individuals.

From Logan County, OK

A man is facing felony charges after he was caught allegedly breaking down someone’s door to steal a water bottle, according to KFOR.  Deputies arrested Derrick Dumas just after they say he broke into a home near Edmond, Oklahoma and stole the bottle.

According to deputies, the homeowner woke up to a noise and discovered Dumas in front of the refrigerator with the door open. He told Dumas to “get the hell out” but Dumas replied that he was thirsty and needed water. Then Dumas grabbed some bottles of Pepsi and walked out the way he came in. The homeowner got his gun and told his wife to call 911, then followed Dumas out to the side of the house. Dumas continued wandering around the property, stopping at one point to sit and drink his Pepsi.

Dumas finally sat down on the house’s air conditioning unit and started hitting it. The homeowner told him to stop, and Dumas again said he was thirsty and needed water. This time, the homeowner gave him a bottle of water.

When police arrived, Dumas was still holding that bottle. “Probably not usual when somebody breaks into somebody else’s house just to grab a Pepsi bottle or a water bottle,” said Sgt. Alex Poe with the Logan County Sheriff’s Office.  Dumas never gave police a reason for breaking in. In fact, deputies said he wasn’t speaking logically at all when the caught him. He did, however, give them a different name when they arrested him, calling himself “Derrick Boyles.”

Deputies said Dumas was lucky the homeowner didn’t try to take stronger action.  “That definitely could have happened,” Sgt. Poe said. “The victim even said he grabbed a gun during the incident while it was occurring.”  Dumas is charged with felony burglary, obstructing an officer, and malicious injury to property.