COLUMBUS, GEORGIA — A man returned home around 12:42 p.m. to find four thieves exiting the front door of his house, his possessions in hand. He allegedly opened fire, shooting an estimated dozen rounds. The thieves scattered. One was believed to be wounded and was arrested by a police officer. He had a firearm that had been reported stolen.
According to the Miami Herald, the homeowner had a permit to carry a concealed firearm and opened fire on the men because he feared for his life.
The Miami Herald cited a Columbus police report that stated the following:
The man “got out of his vehicle and began shooting at the four individuals coming out of his house,” the report stated. The man told police he heard one of the suspects yell “S—!” as he opened fire.
Maj. Gil Slouchick of the Columbus Police Department told reporters that Brandon Rozier, 17, was captured during the ensuing escape. He was arrested and police found a stolen pistol in his possession. He also had a wound on his head that police believe originated from the homeowner’s firearm. Rozier was charged with burglary and two firearms possession charges.
The homeowner reported that $1,000 cash, a 42″ television, and a shotgun were stolen from the premises.
This broad daylight armed burglary could have resulted in a lot more pain and anguish had the homeowner not been prepared and brought his .40 caliber pistol with him. We can comment on a dozen shots fired and only one hit but, in truth, he rolled up into a proverbial ambush. These burglars were believed to be armed and obviously had numerical superiority. They’re not geniuses – they’re thugs.
He was able to use his handgun to defend his life. It didn’t end with the good guy getting all his belongings back or all the bad guys getting arrested. It ended with him living. That’s sometimes all we can hope for in these events. Icing on the cake is taking some 17-year-old good-for-nothing punk off the streets for awhile.
Everyday concealed carry isn’t glamorous. We don’t get to have big grandiose shoot-outs with bad guys. It’s 99.999999% just being prepared every single day for something that probably won’t happen. The 0.000001% is dangerous and we all hope it never comes to that.
This guy got his one in a million chance to prove how ready he is. He survived. That’s a win.