Imagine being awakened at midnight by a crazed drunk trying to break into your home. Imagine you have never fired a shotgun before, but your son has one in the home. You call 911 and the police are on the way when the drunk uses a patio chair to shatter the glass door at the rear of your home.
"Riley had stepped across the back patio threshold and into the kitchen," said Lincoln County Sheriff Chuck Mangion.
"His motivations are unclear from this investigation," Mangion said. "He went over a fence with a locked gate and he had to fight off a dog once he got in the yard, so I doubt he was looking for help," Mangion said. "I doubt that (getting help) was his motivation." Riley's sister was passed out from drugs and alcohol in his car. Riley himself had convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol as well as a possession of marijuana conviction.
District Attorney Richard Smothermon issued a ruling yesterday that Donna Jackson had the legal authority to shoot and kill Billy Dean Riley about 12:40 a.m. on December 12, 2009. Smothermon has declined to file any criminal charges against her.
All I can say is good shoot Ms. Jackson. I'm sorry you were forced to take these measures, but I am glad you had the resolve to defend yourself. I'm glad too, that you had a gun that allowed you to overcome a threat to your life. Thank you Mr. Smothermon.
The entire 911 call below:
"Riley had stepped across the back patio threshold and into the kitchen," said Lincoln County Sheriff Chuck Mangion.
"His motivations are unclear from this investigation," Mangion said. "He went over a fence with a locked gate and he had to fight off a dog once he got in the yard, so I doubt he was looking for help," Mangion said. "I doubt that (getting help) was his motivation." Riley's sister was passed out from drugs and alcohol in his car. Riley himself had convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol as well as a possession of marijuana conviction.District Attorney Richard Smothermon issued a ruling yesterday that Donna Jackson had the legal authority to shoot and kill Billy Dean Riley about 12:40 a.m. on December 12, 2009. Smothermon has declined to file any criminal charges against her.
All I can say is good shoot Ms. Jackson. I'm sorry you were forced to take these measures, but I am glad you had the resolve to defend yourself. I'm glad too, that you had a gun that allowed you to overcome a threat to your life. Thank you Mr. Smothermon.
The entire 911 call below:
Labels: Home Defense
posted by Xavier at 6:34 PM
15 Comments:
We have six guns in our home and two large german shepherds. If anyone is stupid enough to break into our home, they will be wearing a dog tooth necklace and bullet holes.
Glad she was able to keep herself safe. Sad that she will probably be hurting inside for a long time over killing that man no matter how justified she was. I hope she has lots of support of friends and family.
Only drawback is the date and time of the shooting...that is just under two days from the date/time that I write this comment. thanks for the warning that the homeowner has a defense weapon...
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
I love the part where she says:
I don't want to kill him, but "I'll shoot him graveyard dead."
Two things amaze me. One, the 911 dispatcher told the homeowner she was within her rights to shoot an intruder. Second, the television reporter actually mentioned that her actions in defending herself and her property were legal.
NEVER happen (either) here in the People's Republic of Illinois. Maybe I should move...
Thanks Xavier for posting the long version of the 911 call. It teaches us just how frightening and chaotic these situations are.
It is chilling to be with her as she has to shoot the intruder. It took 20 minutes from the start of the call for police to arrive. She was remarkably calm until after she fired, but still maintained her defense against further attack.
It was refreshing to hear a 911 operator who was supportive and not making the situation worse.
She said too much after the shooting that could have been a problem in some places. It was obvious that with her son a police chief and a supportive community, she did not fear the kinds of legal problems many of us would face. For example saying she would "kill" him if he came in, instead of saying she would "shoot" him.
Considering the situation I think she handled it remarkably well. I hope she can let go of the guilt she feels for a situation that was forced on her.
I'm glad to see you are blogging again. I've missed you. Follow your muse wherever she leads you.
I prefer reading about shooting related topics. May I suggest you consider a separate blog for photography? I think you will have more readers if they can go to the blog that interest them more. A cross reference at each blog would cover those who like both topics.
It's too bad the creep had to give her this headache. But damn, that's the kind of 911 operator and police and DA I want! Contrast that 911 call to one you posted up here months ago where the 911 operator kept telling the caller NOT to defend him/herself.
Travlin, another blog would mean less time dedicated to either. I am already running a photostream, which is one reason why I have neglected this bog a bit.
Cliff, I'm pretty certain that to some, the lady having a gun will matter, which is good. To others her having a gun or not would not make a difference.
Bonzo, I agree. God bless Oklahoma. There are times that I simply thank God I reside in a free state with generally sensible people.
Xavier -- Yeah, I can see that now. The overhead of another blog would eat a lot of time and each would have less content.
As long as you blog it I'll read it. Your writing has developed well over the years, and you are always interesting.
Wow! I can't believe I actually heard a 911 operator tell someone they had the right to defend themselves! It's a miracle! Every single 911 shooting call I've ever heard, the operator does everything they need to do (including putting the home owner at greater risk) to stop the home owner from using their gun...or even holding their gun inside their own home. Give that woman a promotion. A true professional.
It's sad that the home owner will have to deal with taking someone's life. I feel bad for her. No one should have to go through that. I'm glad it turned out well though. One safe home owner and one less dirtbag.
Calling 911 really worked - the cavalry got there in time to save her - didn't it!. of course if she had had an alarm system installed just the alarm going off would have done the trick sooner. heck I just got passed 13 minutes - no police yet. She must really be far out in the country. Regardless of where she was though, it is good, very good, that she was armed, willing and able.
I just wanted to say thanks for posting that. As a female shooter, I am quite often the only woman on the firing line in my local range and I tend to try and cover up most of my 'female' traits and actions so as not to be surrounded by men telling me what to do. In this case i am not embaressed to say that i teared up after i heard her ask God for forgiveness. I hope that she eventually makes peace with her decision, and realizes it was her only option.
Best 911 Operator in History!
So often the operators tell you not to defend yourself, to just sit back and wait for help. But when the threat is there, you have to make a decision.
I'm truely sorry for the woman who had to shoot him, That is a decision with which I hope I am never faced. But she made the right choice.
That operator did everything right.
I applaud both women, for their courage and convictions.
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