Posted on 12/10/2021 7:00:16 PM PST by algore
A married father of three in Washington state shot dead a burglar who had broken into the family's home and wounded another before telling cops, 'I have a right to defend myself.'
Jerahme Smith, 31, said he was at home with his sister when the two alleged robbers kicked in the back door at around 4:20am on Thursday.
Police in Spanaway, about 45 miles south of Seattle, arrived within 10 minutes of getting Smith's call about the home invasion and found a 24-year-old man unresponsive on the floor.
The man, who has not been identified, was declared dead by medical professionals a short while later.
The second man who was shot managed to escape and remains on the loose.
'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,' Smith said. 'Protect yourself. That doesn't mean go looking for it, that means just be ready.'
Police said Smith has not been arrested and is not expected to be charged.
Smith said he opened fire after seeing one of the robbers carrying a weapon.
'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,' Smith said.
'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.'
Neighbors told reporters that the area has seen an increase in crime.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
per one of the dailymail commenters "Police = 10 minutes. 9mm = 1200 FPS. I'll trust the math on this one. "
There ya go. Proving once again how Math is racist....
‘I have a right to defend myself.’
For now, yes. The Left is trying very hard to at least limit that right, if not completely do away with it.
He is going to need a fund page. I will give.
Sounds like a good shoot.
since this was reported in the Brit press, I wonder how long does it take to dial 0118 999 881 999 119 7253 vs 911 here in the US ?
Masked? We know they had shots.
My guess is now there will be a decrease in crime.
“Neighbors told reporters that the area has seen an increase in crime.”
Update, one less criminal resulting in an overnight decrease.
Living here behind enemy lines in the state of MD, the wisest choice, at our age (88 & 83) is a loaded weapon in every room except the bedroom which has multiple choices...
You’re correct. It’s been on “COPS” when they’ve followed the Pierce County Sheriffs. There used to be a lot of meth problems. Now, it’s the homeless.
And I happen to live there.
Good news story of the day.
Wow, heck of a long number. I thought it was only 999. At least, that’s what they told me when I was in London in 1995.
“Wow, heck of a long number. I thought it was only 999. At least, that’s what they told me when I was in London in 1995.”
I first heard about the change in 2008 here was the PSA
He is talking way too much. I hope it does not get him in trouble.
Imagine what could have taken place in that 10 minutes if the guy didn't have a gun.
“I didn’t know who they were.”
Typically, in the US, there is some connection, although it may be indirect (such as a plumber’s helper telling his friend about some goodies in so-and-so’s home).
In the UK, they take a different approach. Knowing that you’re not armed, they ‘hang around’ with you, until you tell them where all of your loot is. Also, in the UK, they break in during the evening hours, knowing that you’re home, so they don’t have to waste their time searching...whereas in the US, they’re more worried about taking lead, as in this case, which was a big WHOOPS! for this criminal - so break-ins tend to be during the day (at least until the virus).
Just what I was thinking.
“I feared for my life.” “I feared for my family’s lives.” “I was scared to death.”
Any of those are good. Say something like that followed by “I need to talk to my lawyer” then shut up.
FTA: “ Neighbors told reporters that the area has seen an increase in crime.”
Today: “ Neighbors told reporters that the area has seen a sudden decrease in crime.”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.