Holding a suspect at gunpoint is a risky proposition if a person is not careful to maintain a safe distance and alert to a possible surprise attack. This was clearly demonstrated last week in a frightening encounter in Sweetwater, Tennessee.
According to reports, a male suspect who had was recently released from a mental health facility was prowling in a neighborhood. His family voiced their worry to authorities that he had a dangerous habit of randomly entering strangers’ homes.
At about 6:38 a.m., the call came in that there had been a shooting.
The homeowner was awakened by his dogs barking and was alarmed to find lights on in his residence. As any prudent citizen would do, the now alert resident armed himself and tried to assess the frightening situation.
He quickly found the suspect and, holding him at gunpoint, instructed the stranger to walk outside to wait for officers to arrive. But a tactical mistake was made, and the alleged intruder was able to shove the homeowner to the ground and reenter the home.
The suspect then locked the door.
The homeowner, realizing that he was unable to reenter and the suspect was inside with his unprotected family, fired a shot through the door and struck the alleged intruder. The now-wounded suspect ran out of the house before collapsing onto the ground.
The homeowner and responding authorities attempted to render first aid, but the suspect passed away after being taken to a local hospital.
Despite the tragic ending, the case appeared to be a clear-cut example of armed self-defense. The Tenth Judicial District Attorney’s Office agreed and determined no charges would be filed against the homeowner.
No one questions that there are gaping holes in the mental health system, but a person has the right to protect themselves and their family from anyone who would cause them harm. The homeowner did the right thing by holding the suspect at gunpoint but erred when he allowed himself to be overpowered.
There was only one choice left, and he made it. Thanks to his actions, his family emerged from the terrifying incident unharmed.
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