Teenager defends his sister and his home - yes, it's TX

[Effluo]

This is why you don't mess with other people's shit in TX.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news...ect-in-tomball

HOUSTON - Two men broke into a deputy constable's northwest Harris County home Tuesday afternoon.



They were met with gunfire but not from the officer. Instead, his teenage son surprised the burglars with a military style weapon.

The 15-year-old boy and his 12-year-old sister were home alone when they heard glass shatter on a back window.

"The male was concerned with protecting his younger sister, and that's exactly what he did," said Lt. Jeff Staubner, Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators say the 15-year-old grabbed an automatic weapon belonging to his father, a Harris County Precinct One deputy constable.

He confronted two intruders ransacking the living room and began shooting. An adult suspect was hit several times.

According to Lt. Staubner, his juvenile accomplice drove him eight miles away to Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. The hospital alerted the sheriff's office.

The adult suspect was then flown to Memorial Hermann, The Texas Medical Center. His condition isn't known.

The juvenile was brought back to the scene and questioned. Both are facing burglary charges.

Lt. Staubner says the shooting will be referred to a grand jury.

It's never to soon to teach your kids responsibility with Guns, and teach them to shoot. Trained killer in the making.

[ZarakiKujata]

As anti-gun as I consider myself to be, I'm kind of okay with this?

[Meian]

Interesting but there is a major lack of information available to make any judgment calls here. In one way it was good he was protecting the place and his sister but we don't know if it was shoot-on-sight (the context here makes it seem like it, that and being a kid and all) or if he was threatened.

But I am misunderstanding the portion after the shooting. There were two burglers and only one was shot. It mentions the boy as an accomplice to the one he shot? And if there was only one suspect shot where did the other guy go since it mentions "both are facing burglary charges"

Edit: Also, I don't know what the law says about a minor using a gun for protection but I assume its the same as any other self-defense (if it was self-defense)

[Stiker]

After just having my house broken into myself this past weekend, I want to shake this young man's hand.

And hire him to guard my shit when I'm at work.

[Effluo]

Interesting but there is a major lack of information available to make any judgment calls here. In one way it was good he was protecting the place and his sister but we don't know if it was shoot-on-sight (the context here makes it seem like it, that and being a kid and all) or if he was threatened.

But I am misunderstanding the portion after the shooting. There were two burglers and only one was shot. It mentions the boy as an accomplice to the one he shot? And if there was only one suspect shot where did the other guy go since it mentions "both are facing burglary charges"

Edit: Also, I don't know what the law says about a minor using a gun for protection but I assume its the same as any other self-defense (if it was self-defense)

I agree the writer needs to work on his reporting skills.

There were two burglers. The kid shot one (the older of the two). Younger suspect was a juvenille and drove his shot partner to the hospital. Both suspects were arrested at the hospital.

As far as the law goes, it wasn't his gun since he's a minor, but his father's. He was defending his home and little sister. Castle Doctrine is a lovely thing, and the grand jury will probably not bring any charges against the boy.

Castle Doctrine
A Castle Doctrine (also known as a Castle Law or a Defense of Habitation Law) is an American legal doctrine that arose from English Common Law that designates one's place of residence (or, in some states, any place legally occupied, such as one's car or place of work) as a place in which one enjoys protection from illegal trespassing and violent attack. It then goes on to give a person the legal right to use deadly force to defend that place (his/her "castle"), and/or any other innocent persons legally inside it, from violent attack or an intrusion which may lead to violent attack. In a legal context, therefore, use of deadly force which actually results in death may be defended as justifiable homicide under the Castle Doctrine.

In general, one (sometimes more) of a variety of conditions must be met before a person can legally use the Castle Doctrine:

-An intruder must be making (or have made) an attempt to unlawfully and/or forcibly enter an occupied home, business or car.
-The intruder must be acting illegally—e.g. the Castle Doctrine does not give the right to attack officers of the law acting in the course of their legal duties
-The occupant(s) of the home must reasonably believe that the intruder intends to inflict serious bodily harm or death upon an occupant of the home
-The occupant(s) of the home must reasonably believe that the intruder intends to commit some other felony, such as arson or burglary
-The occupant(s) of the home must not have provoked or instigated an intrusion, or provoked or instigated an intruder to threaten or use deadly force
-The occupant(s) of the home may be required to attempt to exit the house or otherwise retreat (this is called the "Duty to retreat" and most self-defense statutes referred to as examples of "Castle Doctrine" expressly state that the homeowner has no such duty)

In all cases, the occupant(s) of the home must be there legally, must not be fugitives from the law, must not be using the Castle Doctrine to aid or abet another person in being a fugitive from the law, and must not use deadly force upon an officer of the law or an officer of the peace while they are performing or attempting to perform their legal duties.

Basically, if you try to break into someone's home, they have the right to defend themselves without question. Don't want to get shot, don't burgle other people's shit.

[AidenCarby]

I agree the writer needs to work on his reporting skills.

There were two burglers. The kid shot one (the older of the two). Younger suspect was a juvenille and drove his shot partner to the hospital. Both suspects were arrested at the hospital.

As far as the law goes, it wasn't his gun since he's a minor, but his father's. He was defending his home and little sister. Castle Doctrine is a lovely thing, and the grand jury will probably not bring any charges against the boy.

Colorado calls this the "make my day" law. But yea this is what it's going to fall under most likely, then again it is Texas...the kids gonna get a medal for bustin a cap in some honkey ass burglar.

[Not not Mattaru]

Good thing the burglars were not armed.

[Kyreth]

This is why you don't mess with other people's shit in TX.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news...ect-in-tomball

It's never to soon to teach your kids responsibility with Guns, and teach them to shoot. Trained killer in the making.

Pssh. Good citizen award to this kid. Yet another good example of why armed society is often the most polite of all (though my favorite is still the kid who sworded down a burglar in Maryland).

[Tajin]

Gotta love press, 'military style weapon'. If the kid doesn't end up fucked in the head because he shot someone, its all good news.

[*Shinzon*]

This kid is awesome.

[Not not Mattaru]

If it were my kid, and he or she was not in any physical danger (i.e. burglars unaware the kid is in the house) I would be beyond pissed. If the burglars were armed you could have a 15 year old shot in the face. Easier to replace TVs.

[Dimmauk]

Yet another reason to not mess with Texas. This happened in San Antonio.

SAPD: Mother, teenage daughter open fire on intruder in home

Mother & Daughter Fire Shots at Would-be Intruder

Police are looking for the man who tried to force his way into a home near downtown, only to be met by gunfire from the mother and daughter who live there. It happened in the 3000 block of South Laredo around 10:30 Monday night. Investigators say a man tried to kick in the back door, so the mother pulled a gun and fired several shots. When that did not stop him, police say her 18-year-old daughter grabbed her own gun and shot at him several times. The man ran away and has not been seen since. Police do not know why the man tried to break into the home.

[Effluo]

If it were my kid, and he or she was not in any physical danger (i.e. burglars unaware the kid is in the house) I would be beyond pissed. If the burglars were armed you could have a 15 year old shot in the face. Easier to replace TVs.

For the kid though, he has a 12 year old sister, and thugs breaking in. Rather than wait to be shot/kidnapped/tortured by the robbers, he made the first move. I don't know that I could be mad at my child for protecting our home and loved ones. You never know someones intentions who is breaking into your house, so why wait and find out.

In Texas, we shoot first... then shoot again. Sometimes there's a question after the third round.

[Effluo]

Yet another reason to not mess with Texas. This happened in San Antonio.

SAPD: Mother, teenage daughter open fire on intruder in home

Mother & Daughter Fire Shots at Would-be Intruder

Police are looking for the man who tried to force his way into a home near downtown, only to be met by gunfire from the mother and daughter who live there. It happened in the 3000 block of South Laredo around 10:30 Monday night. Investigators say a man tried to kick in the back door, so the mother pulled a gun and fired several shots. When that did not stop him, police say her 18-year-old daughter grabbed her own gun and shot at him several times. The man ran away and has not been seen since. Police do not know why the man tried to break into the home.

That's awesome. Mother and Daughter Duo. I love living in TX.

[*Shinzon*]

Texas is like living on a different planet. Not sure how any crook thinks is a good idea to break into someones home.

[Neosutra]

Automatic weapon within 20 meters and both guys arent dead?

Kid needs to learn how to shoot.

[Stiker]

If it were my kid, and he or she was not in any physical danger (i.e. burglars unaware the kid is in the house) I would be beyond pissed. If the burglars were armed you could have a 15 year old shot in the face. Easier to replace TVs.

I'm sorry, but if there is someone that forced their way into a house that didn't belong there, anyone else that is in the house is already in physical danger.

[Dainslaif]

If it were my kid, and he or she was not in any physical danger (i.e. burglars unaware the kid is in the house) I would be beyond pissed. If the burglars were armed you could have a 15 year old shot in the face. Easier to replace TVs.

Meh, considering the kid knew how to operate the "military style weapon" I'm guessing the father had instructed him to do so in the case of a break-in.

Frankly, I'm becoming more and more of a fan of the castle doctrine.

[Not not Mattaru]

I'm sorry, but if there is someone that forced their way into a house that didn't belong there, anyone else that is in the house is already in physical danger.

To some degree yes, but you have to consider your options. If intruders do not know anyone is in the house, try to get out and call the police if possible. Making your presence known in an aggressive way to an armed assailant is probably not making yourself or family members more safe.

I think the law itself is fine in principle, every right to shoot the person and defend yourself, but I do not think it is a good idea to encourage people to put themselves in a more dangerous situation in the process.

[Deadgye]

This kid is awesome.

Frankly, I'm becoming more and more of a fan of the castle doctrine.

This.