Brother Kills Brother To Save Stranger

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI — A brother was forced to shoot his own brother. One sibling retrieved his firearm after he was assaulted with a hammer. He stepped in to save that brother’s girlfriend, who was beaten repeatedly with a hammer. When he was also struck by that same hammer, he knew he had to use his gun to save both of them.

Now, according to FOX 2 Now St. Louis, he is in police custody. He allegedly shot his brother once in the abdomen. His brother died from his injuries on the way to the hospital. That brother’s girlfriend was treated for blunt force trauma injuries to her head.

While the brother was arrested initially for shooting his sibling, no charges have been filed against him. He did not know the woman at the time but she later identified herself as the girlfriend of his departed brother.

This is an unenviable position to be in. As a gunowner, the last person any of us want to use deadly force against is another family member. His choice to save the life of a woman he didn’t know reflects a bravery and honesty that would challenge most any man.

Stepping into the middle of the attack, he likely hoped that his brother would stop when he saw it was another family member he was hitting. When his brother would not stop, it became apparent that there just was no other choice.

Deadly force is a last resort. The vast majority of gun owners across America would love to live their days never being forced into that unenviable position. Our condolences go out to the family.

If you know or have a family member that is fighting with or coping with substance abuse problems or drug addiction, there is hope. There are opportunities to contact quite a few non-profit organizations but change begins with the individual first.

No one has the right to assault another person and deprive them of their health and wellbeing. Being brave enough to stop an assault on a stranger is truly an act of courage. It’s so terribly sad when situations like this come up. The best we can do is stay observant of our surroundings and attempt to de-escalate if the opportunity arises.