That’s exactly what a Kentucky homeowner faced Sunday morning, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department. He was awakened to the unusual sound of a chainsaw breaking through glass, something most people live their entire lives without hearing.
Authorities do not believe the chainsaw was running but was used to shatter the glass.
In the middle of all the chaos, the resident was able to retrieve his weapon and fire several shots. He struck the alleged assailant three times.
Sgt. Michael Mullins of the Sheriff’s Department identified the alleged intruder as 44-year-old Richard A. Hamadany and said he was apparently having a psychotic episode. “I think he was suffering from some mental health issues. He thought he was hearing voices and thought somebody was screaming for help.”
Mullins said that’s when Hamadany attempted to enter the home.
The homeowner was inside along with his wife and two children, Mullins said. Hamadany picked up the chainsaw from the porch and did not have any other weapons at the time. There was reportedly no indication of drug or alcohol use by the alleged attacker.
Mental health issues or not, the reality is that an uninvited stranger used a chainsaw to shatter a glass door and enter the home. If that’s not clear and present danger, that term has been redefined.
And no matter what Hamadany thought may have been going on in the house, in his apparent state of mind he could easily have seen the homeowner as an attacker.
The intruder survived being shot and faces charges of burglary and wanton endangerment. Chances are strong, however, that he will spend time getting mental treatment rather than being incarcerated.
