Elderly Homeowner Shoots Violent Home Invader in Self Defense

As reported, a 74 year old man used his rifle to stop a violent home invader who broke in during the night:

Police say that the elderly man was in the bedroom of his home, located on 15 Street East in Bradenton, at about 11 PM when an intruder forced his way inside.  The home invader is said to have demanded money while beating the elderly homeowner about the face with a club.  Next, the intruder reportedly attempted to grab and fire a rifle that the homeowner kept next to his bed, but was unable to figure out how to disable the safety.  When the home invader put the rifle down and started rummaging through the homeowner’s closet for valuables to steal, the homeowner grabbed his rifle and fired in self defense, striking the intruder and saving himself, according to police. A deceased suspect, reportedly identified as 39-year-old Lee Johnson, was found dead at the scene, and the elderly resident was treated at a local hospital for his injuries.

It is a sad fact that criminals prey on senior citizens, seeing them as easy targets.  Unarmed senior citizens can often be overpowered by a young criminal who is stronger and faster, and as a result may suffer greatly in their own home.

However, when senior citizens are armed for self defense, they are in the best position possible to defend themselves.  A few examples:  This armed 85 year old woman held a home invader at gunpoint, and made him call the police on himself.  This armed 93 year old man shot a home invader in self defense after the home invader began to attack him.  This armed 70 year old woman held an intruder at gunpoint until the police arrived to arrest him.  This armed 91 year old man used his handgun to fend off two home invader who had broken in and threatened his wheelchair-bound wife with their guns.  This armed 84 year old man used his handgun to stop a criminal who repeatedly tried to enter his home through the front door, back door, and a window.  I could go on with more examples, but the point should be clear: armed self defense is a senior citizen’s best chance at stopping a younger and stronger criminal who attacks them.