SPANAWAY, WASHINGTON — A suspected home invader is dead after police say the homeowner grabbed his gun and fought back, shooting at two suspects who were kicking in the back door of the home. They both ran off, but one only made it as far as the yard where he collapsed and died.
“When everything first started, the first thing I had to do was take a few breaths and calm myself down because I knew it could have gone one of two ways. I didn’t know who they were, I didn’t know what they had, but the first thing I did–and it’s the honest to God truth–is I took a few breaths to myself. That way I knew I was calm enough to make a proper judgment decision,” said 31-year-old Jerahme Smith, who has rented the home with his wife and children for the last 3 years.
Police are still searching for the other suspect, while identifying the deceased suspect as a 24-year-old man. The incident is still under investigation.
“It kind of goes back to your rights. I have the right to carry and I have the right to protect myself and I have the right to protect my property,” said Smith. “Protect yourself. That doesn’t mean go looking for it, that means just be ready.”
The whole thing happened around 4 a.m. and reminds us that we need to be on guard and prepared at all hours of the day. The bad guys get to choose the day and time of the attack, so it’s up to us to be prepared as much as possible.
