Baker City Woman Defends Home with .22 Revolver After Intruder Break-In

A Baker City woman fired shots from a .22 revolver after an intruder entered her home early in the morning. The man, who was later arrested, refused to comply with the homeowner’s demands to stay until police arrived.

BAKER CITY, OR (3-minute read) — A Baker City woman took matters into her own hands early Wednesday morning, September 11, after an intruder entered her home uninvited. The incident, which occurred around 4:30 a.m., involved 36-year-old Brandon Douglas Culbertson, who slipped into the house of Sidney Luebberke and Luetta Holtz through a sliding door.

The homeowners were fast asleep when Culbertson entered their room, reportedly searching for a woman he called “Rebecca.” Startled and afraid, the couple told Culbertson they had no idea who he was or what his intentions were.

Culbertson, who removed his shoes and socks upon entering, claimed to have stayed in the house before—a statement the couple strongly denied. Faced with the unexpected presence of a stranger, Holtz quickly retrieved a .22 caliber revolver from her nightstand, determined to protect herself and her partner. Holtz ordered Culbertson to sit on the porch while they called the police. Unfortunately, the Baker City Police were understaffed, with no patrols between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m., leaving the couple to manage the situation alone.

Tensions escalated as Culbertson became increasingly agitated, mumbling to himself and ignoring Holtz’s commands. His defiance prompted Holtz to fire two warning shots as he walked away from the house, refusing to comply with her instructions. The shots, though not aimed to harm, served as a critical turning point in the incident.

After Culbertson left the premises, the couple provided a detailed description to Officer Josh Chandler, who spotted the suspect at a nearby Maverik gas station. Culbertson was swiftly arrested and charged with first-degree criminal trespassing and failing to report as a sex offender. His bail was set at $5,000, and he is scheduled to appear in court on October 1st.

The firing of warning shots is generally not recommended, and as this story proves, did nothing to maintain control over the situation. If a suspect is in the process of leaving, the best course of action is to get as much information about the suspect as possible so that you can provide that to police when they arrive. A detailed description of the suspect, photos and video if possible, and anything else that could help aid them in their search.

Additionally, having a home security system can do wonders for alerting you to any potential dangers, and act as a deterrent to criminals. Keeping your doors locked and secure is also something that every home should be doing, especially during the nighttime hours.

Safety Tip: Always keep firearms securely stored when not in use. In a self-defense situation, remain calm and assess the threat carefully before taking action.