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-Lurid Crime Tales-
Intruder in home today shot, killed (Kentucky)
2007-03-21
An intruder was shot and killed early today at a house in Covington, police said. Jerry Setzer, 44, called police at 3:31 a.m. and said he had shot a man who had broken into his house at 329 Delmar Place and assaulted him, said Lt. Col. Spike Jones, spokesman for the Covington Police Department.

One other person was in the house at the time, but police would not say who that person was. "We believe the victim (Setzer) and the other person in the house were in fear of their lives at the time," Jones said. "It's our belief at this time that the homeowner was fending off a continuing assault."

It was not known if the intruder was armed. Kentucky statutes allow for the use of lethal force when a person has a reasonable fear of harm.
So do the statutes of most states, as well as the English common law, not that today's UK authorities would know it.
Setzer, who has lived in the house for 12 years, shot the intruder with a handgun, but police declined to say what caliber it was or how many times Setzer fired the gun.
Enough on both counts, it would seem.
The intruder, whose name was not released, was pronounced dead shortly after the shooting at St. Elizabeth Medical Center North.

There was no information on the extent of the injuries Setzer sustained.
The key fact is that he is not dead, whereas the intruder is a goner.
Might have a bruised shoulder from the recoil.
No motive for the break-in had been established, and Jones could not say if Setzer knew the intruder. There had not been recent reports of similar break-ins in the neighborhood, Jones said.
Posted by:Atomic Conspiracy

#17  Winchester Defender, 12 GA, 18" barrel, pistol grip and 8 shells of .00 here. I'd rather defend myself in court than be mourned in death.
Posted by: Frank G   2007-03-21 20:20  

#16  "I suggested a 410 and birdshot because, as opposed to some other opinions here, I'd prefer not to kill the perpetrator."

A .410 filled with birdshot is for popping pheasants, not protecting your family in a home invasion situation.

When it goes down, Steve, you're going to have about 5 seconds to make a fundamental decision: am I gonna let this bastard kill me, and my wife and my daughter, or am I gonna kill him instead? There are no compromises AT ALL, no halfway measures. Once you pull the trigger on ANYTHING, even just a child's water pistol, it's unlikely your perp is going to give you any choice but to kill him or be killed.

And if all you're shooting is a .410 loaded with birdshot, killing him is going to be well nigh impossible-- in fact, if he's wearing a heavy leather jacket it's unlikely the shot will even penetrate his clothing, much less injure him.

You're best off using the heaviest-duty armament you can competently control. A 12-ga. with #1 shot is a good choice. Or a .45 cal. automatic or .357 Magnum revolver. For indoor use, use Glaser Safety Slugs, Cor-bon or some other frangible ammunition that's both highly lethal and unlikely to penetrate construction materials like sheetrock.

If you're going to shoot, shoot to kill-- and then some. Otherwise, don't shoot at all.

Posted by: Dave D.   2007-03-21 20:16  

#15  AP, good points. No question one needs training, not just with the weapon but situational training as well.

I suggested a 410 and birdshot because, as opposed to some other opinions here, I'd prefer not to kill the perpetrator. Your points are good ones, however.
Posted by: Steve White   2007-03-21 19:06  

#14  Even if I had a shotgun and there was someone on the other side of the door, I'd be in fear for my life - for all I knew, they could be about to open up with a MAC-10.
Posted by: Thavith Poodle5578   2007-03-21 18:31  

#13  Steve White---You better have selected the weapon with adequate stopping power. Druggies hopped up on PCP are like supermen, and it takes some weapon with stopping power to take them out of the fight. From my training, you use the largest weapon that you can safely and accurately handle to protect yourself for the circumstances anticipated.

It would also be good to research and review the laws concerning self defense and the use of force in your state and community.

The training is so important in this area. The combat triad: mindset---gunhandling---marksmanship needs to be complete to win. You cannot learn on the job, so to speak. We went through some frightening scenarios in training, actual exercises. Sh*t happens real fast. My brother-in-law is a retired cop. He got into two situations where he had to shoot and kill the bad guy, up close and personal. His training got him through and on top, but he still got shot badly in the arm on one of the situations.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2007-03-21 16:08  

#12  that was a hell of a handgun if he got a bruise on his shoulder from the recoil
Posted by: sinse   2007-03-21 16:07  

#11  Lt. Col. Spike Jones

Who then treated Mr. Setzer to cocktails for two.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-03-21 16:04  

#10  Never shoot anybody unless you kill them. People tend to seek revenge even if it's multable law suits.
Posted by: wxjames   2007-03-21 16:00  

#9  the police are NOT your friends in this situation.

If you have a choice call the County mounties viz. city police.
Posted by: Shipman   2007-03-21 14:49  

#8  Massachusetts could learn a thing or two from Kentucky.

More at Link:Police Look For Armed Home Invasion Suspects
(WBZ) SUDBURY Police are looking for three men accused of breaking into a home in Sudbury.

According to Lieutenant Scott Nix, the suspects entered a home on Fairbanks Circle Monday morning and flashed a handgun to the victims inside.

No one was injured during the break in, but the suspects did manage to make off with cash and a Sony PlayStation, said Lt. Nix.

Posted by: Delphi2005   2007-03-21 13:59  

#7  Too bad...another wasted perp. Dead perp society?
Posted by: CB   2007-03-21 13:26  

#6  While I don't have a self-defense weapon in the house, I'm told that a pump-action .410 shotgun works well. Load it with birdshot -- that's unlikely to kill but it darned sure will stop someone. Plus the pellets won't reach the house next door and injure an innocent.

And there's the satisfying 'snick-snack' sound of a pump-action weapon that causes most intruders to freeze in their tracks.

Just a thought.
Posted by: Steve White   2007-03-21 12:37  

#5  "Don't want to hit any innocents in the neighborhood."
Which is why the 12 gauge, not the .30-'06

"make sure the perp is dead."
Which is why the 12 gauge, not the .22. And at 15 feet, it's hard to miss.
Posted by: Glenmore   2007-03-21 11:00  

#4  No conundrum, G. If he breaks through your door you already have a basis for believing he intends to do harm to you. And if he's within 21 feet of you, he can cover that ground in less that 1 second and the police know it. His butt is yours as soon as he comes through the door.

Shoot to stop: center of mass, then head. For your own sake, you would do well to make sure the perp is dead. You don't want to have a civil suit to defend against later. Never, however, admit that to anyone else. As far as you are publicly concerned, you were shooting only to neutralize the threat and stopped shooting as soon as it was neutralized.

If such a thing occurs, you'd be very well advised to tell the police, quite politely, that while you have every intention of cooperating fully, you will not make a statement or answer questions until you have your lawyer present and have consulted with him. Remember: however much you wish they were, the police are NOT your friends in this situation. It's as imperative that you keep your head at this time in dealing with them as it was while you were shooting it out with the perp.
Posted by: Mac   2007-03-21 10:29  

#3  Glenmore---You would have fear for your life if the perp is breaking through the dooor. You would best be getting enough distance, if possible, to allow the perp to be identified before you nail him. Also, you are responsible for the final resting place of each round you fire. Don't want to hit any innocents in the neighborhood. All this decisiion making in a very short time. Training and working out scenarios is a good idea.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2007-03-21 10:23  

#2  Problem: Law says I can't defend myself with deadly force unless I am in fear for my life. But I have my 12 gauge pointed at the door the perp is breaking through, so I don't really fear for my life, since I can kill the SOB before he does anything to me. But if I put the gun down, THEN I fear for my life and would be justified in killing but I wouldn't have the means to do so.
A legal conundrum.
Posted by: Glenmore   2007-03-21 10:06  

#1  He was armed and saved himself. Because he was armed with a gun, he COULD save himself. Had he not been armed, he would probably be dead now. God helps those who help themselves.
Posted by: Mac   2007-03-21 09:20  

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