A Richmond, New York homeowner had front-row seats to a burglary Sunday night, thanks to his security camera system. When he spotted two people entering his property, he called 911 right away. Then he grabbed his shotgun and took matters into his own hands. Instead of pointing the weapon at the suspects, he fired at their vehicle’s tires, disabling their ride and ending their getaway plans before they could even start the engine.
The suspects, 19-year-old Alexandria Mosher and 22-year-old Dominick Wood, both of Lima, decided the smartest move was to call 911 themselves. They told dispatchers they would walk out with their hands up. Deputies arrested both on second-degree burglary charges and recovered stolen items from inside the home. The homeowner has not been charged, and officials confirmed the shotgun use didn’t rise to the level of deadly force.
Undersheriff Michael Rago offered a cautionary note, saying,“A word to the wise is to understand when you can and can’t use deadly physical force.”He also stressed that being a good witness for law enforcement is often the safest route. This story raises a big question for all of us: Where’s the line between protecting what’s yours and putting yourself in danger? What would you have done in his boots?
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
