This was the case Wednesday afternoon in Butler County, Pennsylvania. A man wanted in western part of the state had the unfortunate experience of encountering an armed homeowner who was not ready to become a victim.
Police were called to the home in Butler after a burglary in progress was reported. On the way, however, dispatch warned them that shots were fired at the location, signaling a dramatic rise in the level of danger they would encounter.
When they arrived, they found one of the homeowners holding the now-wounded suspect at bay. His injuries were described as non-life threatening.
Police later identified the suspect as 43-year-old Nathan Harvey. They said he entered the residence through a locked basement door and was unknown to the male and female who were home at the time. The male resident told investigators that he fired a warning shot to scare Harvey away, but that did not do the trick.
Left with no choice, he then shot the suspect in the abdomen.
Harvey was transported to Butler Hospital with a graze wound to the stomach and was held for observation by doctors for an unrelated problem. Police confirmed that he was also wanted by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office on a felony burglary warrant.
When the suspect is released from the hospital he will be arrested and arraigned on felony burglary charges. As could be expected, investigators said the couple is cooperating fully with them and should not face charges.
A warning shot should be sufficient to stop a violent criminal in their tracks, but in this instance it failed. This is yet another shining example of how legal possession of a firearm and being prepared to use it came to the rescue of homeowners.
It is a lesson that those who endlessly rally against the Second Amendment should heed.
