Archives for May 2018

Few things can be more frightening than a home invasion. Someone entering your home for unknown reasons. Your safety is immediately threatened. 

A Georgia woman was home with her two children one afternoon, when a man with a crowbar crashed the front door. The woman retreated to what she felt was a safe place but the invader continued his pursuit. The young woman obtained her hand gun and shot the man multiple times ending the threatening situation.

Are you prepared for a home invasion? Many people have guns in their homes, but are they accessible in the event of a threatening encounter? Here are a few tips to help prepare you for the unexpected.

1. Always keep your doors locked. More and more home invasions are occurring during daylight hours. Keep your doors locked no matter what time it is.

2.   Keep windows secure.

3.   If someone invades your home, call 911 and stay on the line. 911 calls     are recorded and can be    helpful if lethal force is needed to stop the   threat.

4.    Don’t open the door to strangers.

5.    If a repairman is at the door ask to see ID.

6.    Place a small diameter pipe or dowel rod in the track of sliding doors to prevent them from being opened.

7.    Place alarm stickers on windows and doors.

8.    If you have gun keep it close by. You may not have time to run to the bedroom if someone crashes through your front door.

9.     Develop a plan and walk through it from time to time.

10.   Play “What if?” to consider different scenarios that could happen. Think about what action you would take in each case.

If you are properly prepared you can survive a home invasion. Don’t be paranoid just be prepared.

“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own mansion, his property is safe.”

Luke 11:21

It was a foggy evening in late summer when the alert tones sounded in the station. “Medic 1 and Medic 2 stage in the 3000 block of Oakland Place. Law Enforcement  enroute to a shooting with multiple victims. Stage until officers arrive on scene”. Time out 2147.

One Patient Was Dead At The Scene

On our arrival we found one victim slumped over the railing of the front porch. The deputy on scene asked if I would check the victim to see if he was still alive. My evaluation found one bullet wound to the center of the chest. Very little blood was noted which indicates he did not live very long after being shot.

Second Patient Had Multiple Gunshot Wounds

Next, I proceeded into the home and found the second victim lying in the hallway. He had multiple gun shot wounds but was conscious. In all he had nine bullet wounds. He was bleeding heavily and had a sucking chest wound (air entering and exiting the chest through the wound). The wound was sealed with a non-porous dressing and his breathing became easier. 

Several wounds on the arm were bandaged and bleeding was controlled. One bullet wound to his abdomen was found. A thick dressing was applied with pressure to control bleeding. Another bullet wound was found in the lower back near the spine. A dressing was applied and a neurological exam performed. It revealed partial paralysis of the lower extremities. Two IV’s were established to help prevent shock from blood loss.

Helicopter Transport Not Possible

This patient was then placed on a backboard and moved to the medic unit. Normally this patient would have been transported by a medical helicopter but due to the fog they were unable to fly. 

During transport the patient was re-evaluated for additional injuries and bleeding. No significant changes were noted. At the hospital the patient was placed in a trauma room for treatment and later transferred to a Level 1 trauma center. 

The third patient was found to have very minor injuries and was not transported to the hospital.

So What Happened?

The dead victim was one of two young men who invaded the home of a young couple. They were looking for drugs and invaded the wrong house, in more ways than one. 

As the intruders entered home the resident, a 20 year old young man, started fighting with the intruder. His 19 year old wife ran to get a handgun from the bedroom. When she returned she shot the first home invader in the chest. He staggered out the door and died as he was slumped over the porch railing. She then shot the second intruder several times, stopping any further aggression against the home owners. 

No charges were filed against the homeowners. The property was searched for drugs but none were found.

Several things to consider in this incident. First, this could have been your home. Second, what would have been the end result if the young lady did not have gun. Third, the young lady was taught how to shoot by her father at age 12. The bad guys were stop by a prepared young lady with a gun.

If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;

Exodus 22:2