Sheriff: Homeowner shoots, kills break-in suspect; second suspect fled
Sheriff Coy Reid
Hickoryrecord.com BY EVAN MATSUMOTO
CLAREMONT, N.C. — A Claremont homeowner shot and killed a home break-in suspect Monday morning, and law enforcement officials are still searching for a second suspect who fled the scene.
Catawba County Sheriff Coy Reid was on the scene about an hour after the incident happened. About 9:25 a.m., Reid said, the homeowner called 911 to report a break-in at his River Bend Road home. Soon after, the sheriff continued, the subject kicked open the basement door to enter the home.
The subject came down the hallway toward the homeowner, Reid said, when the homeowner fired one shot from a 12-gauge shotgun, hitting the suspect in the chest. A second suspect ran back down the basement stairs and left in a dark blue minivan. He has not been found, Reid said.
“No one likes to take anybody’s life,” he said, standing at the end of the homeowner’s driveway. “But at this point, he thought his life was being threatened and protected himself and his wife, which he has a right to do.”
What was not mentioned in the article was the support Sheriff Reid showed for homeowners to defend their families and property. In a video of the incident, Sheriff Reid goes on to say:
“You have a right to defend your property when someone breaks in the home on you. You do not know if these people are coming in to steal property or are coming in to cause harm to you or your family.”
This is the second time this week that an elected Sheriff has publicly spoken about the need and rights for people to be able to defend themselves. As gun owners and supporters of the second amendment, it is important that we elect officials who support our right to bear arms and defend ourselves.
As this story shows, many times the police will not be able to arrive in time to help you. When seconds matters, being able to defend yourself and your family is absolutely crucial.
