# 15-year-old son of deputy shoots burglary suspect **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 31, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716 "2012-12-31T22:00:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/1 "2012-12-31T22:00:30Z")
WITH A FUCKING “ASSAULT WEAPON”! [http://www.khou.com/news/crime/Burglary-suspect-shot-by-15-year-old-son-of-deputy-97430719.html](http://www.khou.com/news/crime/Burglary-suspect-shot-by-15-year-old-son-of-deputy-97430719.html) Home alone, he defended himself and his sister. You can roll your eyes at me while I “cling to my guns”, but this is why I take my kids to the range. Went this week, in fact. I absolutely want my kids to have no hesitation in picking up a weapon and shooting some fuckwad breaking into our home. I happen to be much fonder of them than anyone else. Yeah, guns are bad, aren’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/2 "2012-12-31T22:47:47Z")
Anecdotes, including the recent CT shooting, are poor pegs to hang one’s hat on when discussing public policy. ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/3 "2012-12-31T22:54:43Z")
I think you’d have to be mad to break into someone’s home in Texas. That said, according to the article the guy was shot at least three times and still managed to run away. Maybe the kid should have grabbed something beefier than an AR-15. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/4 "2012-12-31T23:00:14Z")
Wait, the deputy’s son prevented a burglary, but this sentence from the article confuses me, “Neighbors said burglars had recently struck the two houses next door, including the deputy’s home.” So the deputy’s home (that was burgled) is next door to the deputy’s home (that the kid successfully defended from burglary)? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/5 "2012-12-31T23:05:37Z")
It sounds like the Deputy’s house was robbed previously and then the a-holes returned to steal the new stuff in the house. That’s actually pretty common. Get your tv and dvd player stole. You better keep a close eye after buying new ones. The thieves already know there will be new equipment in your living room ripe for the taking. I was warned a couple years ago to NEVER, EVER put a tv box or home theater box on the curb. You’re telling everybody that drives by that there is brand new stuff in your house. ---
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/6 "2012-12-31T23:08:07Z")
Go kid go! ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/7 "2012-12-31T23:08:34Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Wait, the deputy’s son prevented a burglary, but this sentence from the article confuses me, “Neighbors said burglars had recently struck the two houses next door, including the deputy’s home.” So the deputy’s home (that was burgled) is next door to the deputy’s home (that the kid successfully defended from burglary)? Neighbors said burglars had recently struck the two houses next door, including the deputy’s home. It’s a clumsy sentence, but the neighbor was saying “They struck two houses. The deputy’s and another’” ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/8 "2012-12-31T23:30:30Z")
I read it as, they struck three houses: the two next door, and the deputy’s home. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2012, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/9 "2012-12-31T23:59:21Z")
Great, now the gun nuts are going to masturbate to this story daily and bring it up every chance they get. ---
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/10 "2013-01-01T00:03:13Z")
The deputy appears to live on a cul-de-sac. That’s a stupid place to commit burglary, as you have to leave the car in plain view while you rob three houses and carry the contents outside. However, I don’t see any great need to shoot anyone. It’s 2:30pm, you’re dressed and there are neighbors up and about. Grab the cell, call 911 and leave the house. Nobody was in danger, brute force was unnecessary. I’m not familiar with Texas law but I assume that the state does not execute burglars as a rule. I think it’s a bit much to grant a 15 year old boy greater punitive powers than the state. This isn’t a farmhouse twenty miles from the main road. In the time it took to get the gun from the safe, load it, and position oneself for defense, the police would be nearly there. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/11 "2013-01-01T00:10:51Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > Yeah, guns are bad, aren’t they? It’s a straw man argument. I don’t think anyone is arguing that guns are never used for valid self-defense. That’s as foolish a position as arguing that guns are never used for crimes. The argument for gun control is that significantly more innocent people in this country are hurt by guns than are protected by guns. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/12 "2013-01-01T00:22:18Z")
> [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](#): > > In the time it took to get the gun from the safe, load it, and position oneself for defense, the police would be nearly there. Was that in the article? The gun may very well have been loaded, safety off, a round in the chamber, unlocked and closer to the kid then the phone when he heard the glass breaking. Also, IIRC, (in Wisconsin at least) just the act of breaking into a house is considered assault and you can use deadly force to defend yourself against it. Out of curiosity, will you change your position if you find out the kids called the police _first_ and they hadn’t arrived by the time the guys got into the house? What about if we later find out that the burglars had guns? ETA, do you _really_ think that someone can’t get a gun from a safe and load it faster then a cop can show up at their house? I’m not a ‘gun guy’, but I know I can put the magazine in my Glock (which I’ve used at a range about twice) in a few seconds. It doesn’t really take that long. I’m pretty sure I can do it faster then it would take for one of the cops that lives three doors down from me to get to my house. Even if we don’t count the time it would take for me to fumble around with my phone and call 911…which calls the County sheriffs, which then have to transfer me to my city so I can tell the story again. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/13 "2013-01-01T00:24:00Z")
> [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](#): > > The deputy appears to live on a cul-de-sac. That’s a stupid place to commit burglary, as you have to leave the car in plain view while you rob three houses and carry the contents outside. > > **However, I don’t see any great need to shoot anyone.** It’s 2:30pm, you’re dressed and there are neighbors up and about. Grab the cell, call 911 and leave the house. Nobody was in danger, brute force was unnecessary. I’m not familiar with Texas law but I assume that the state does not execute burglars as a rule. I think it’s a bit much to grant a 15 year old boy greater punitive powers than the state. This isn’t a farmhouse twenty miles from the main road. In the time it took to get the gun from the safe, load it, and position oneself for defense, the police would be nearly there. Bolding mine. How do you know this? Off the top of my head I can think of several well-publicised murders, and one rape, of homeowners by douchebags who broke into their homes around here, in the last year. And one incident where a [66-year-old woman shot an armed intruder](http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/06/66-year-old_woman_who_shot_int.html). A former neighbor of mine was shot and killed when he came home from work to find two guys ransacking his house - he had his 6-year-old nephew with him, had no clue anything was amiss, walked in and was shot dead in front of the kid. I’m no “gun nut” and have never owned a firearm although I’ve done some target-plinking. But I assure you that IF I was, and IF I was adequately trained, I would be inclined to shoot first, then call 911. I do not live in Flint any more but in that city there’s absolutely _no_ assurance that a [911 call is going to get cops at your door any time soon](http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2010/12/flint_police_officers_union_he.html). I really have no problem whatsoever with responsible, trained people owning guns. And I get what you are saying about a burglar not necessarily deserving the death penalty - but you know what? Don’t break into people’s houses or do other crimes, and chances are, you won’t get shot. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/14 "2013-01-01T00:36:20Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > The gun may very well have been loaded, safety off, a round in the chamber, unlocked and closer to the kid then the phone when he heard the glass breaking. That sounds absurdly irresponsible, to me. Especially in a law enforcement officer’s home. > [@chiroptera](#): > > A former neighbor of mine was shot and killed when he came home from work to find two guys ransacking his house - he had his 6-year-old nephew with him, had no clue anything was amiss, walked in and was shot dead in front of the kid. Though this wasn’t your point, it doesn’t seem like the situation would’ve turned out any differently if he had had a gun as he entered. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/15 "2013-01-01T00:44:16Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > That sounds absurdly irresponsible, to me. Especially in a law enforcement officer’s home. You’re right, it probably is. Doesn’t mean it wasn’t the case. But I don’t agree with Nunzio that these kids could have just grabbed their phone and walked/ran out of the house while two people were trying to break in (from both doors and a window). Also, they were trained on how to use the gun. I fully believe they can unlock it, load it, and use it faster then a cop could arrive at the scene. Assuming bullets in the magazine, it should only take, what, 45 seconds to grab the key, unlock the safe (assuming it’s locked), put the magazine in, flip the safety off, point and shoot. Especially in a panic situation where they knew they didn’t have time to mess around. If I had to guess, I’d guess the gun was somewhere between locked/key hidden/magazine out/bullets in a box/safety on and what I said earlier. But I’m sure we’ll find out over the coming day or so exactly what the case was. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/16 "2013-01-01T00:44:20Z")
> [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](#): > > The deputy appears to live on a cul-de-sac. That’s a stupid place to commit burglary, as you have to leave the car in plain view while you rob three houses and carry the contents outside. > > However, I don’t see any great need to shoot anyone. It’s 2:30pm, you’re dressed and there are neighbors up and about. Grab the cell, call 911 and leave the house. Nobody was in danger, brute force was unnecessary. I’m not familiar with Texas law but I assume that the state does not execute burglars as a rule. I think it’s a bit much to grant a 15 year old boy greater punitive powers than the state. This isn’t a farmhouse twenty miles from the main road. In the time it took to get the gun from the safe, load it, and position oneself for defense, the police would be nearly there. Oh yes, because the cops always get there in time. What fantasy world are you living in? > **[ItemFix - Social Video Factory](https://www.itemfix.com/?r=ll)** > > Social Video Factory ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Kirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@Capt\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_Kirk)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/17 "2013-01-01T00:45:19Z")
I live in Harris County TX, It is perfectly legal to use lethal force to defend your home or your sister. 911 takes a while, shoot first then call the cops. Ask a Houston cop they will tell you to do exactly that, off the record. Burglary is a hazardous profession here as it should be. I have no desire to shoot anyone but I will put 40cal holes in you if you break into my home, count on it. **Capt** ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/18 "2013-01-01T00:47:23Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Though this wasn’t your point, it doesn’t seem like the situation would’ve turned out any differently if he had had a gun as he entered. Probably not, no. But you’re right in that wasn’t my point - which was, it’s really not the job of the homeowner to try to figure out the intent, or the weaponry, of someone who has just invaded your personal space, your home. If the homeowner is armed (with a gun, knife, foaming wasp spray, large bitey dog, whatever) then it really seems quite sensible to use what you have on hand to deflect possible violence against someone who has violated your home. Immediately. ETA: I live in Michigan and the Castle Doctrine applies here. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/19 "2013-01-01T01:01:19Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Oh yes, because the cops always get there in time. What fantasy world are you living in? > [ItemFix - Social Video Factory](http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=fc8_1187887010) This isn’t as rare as people might think, either. I found this video looking for a different but similar incident. Back in 1998, I listened to a 911 recording of a lady getting raped and then murdered. The officers were frantically trying to find the house, but they couldn’t find her. She gave them the correct address, they just couldn’t find it in time. The audio was of the 911 call along with the radio traffic of the cops. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716/20 "2013-01-01T01:19:52Z")
> [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](#): > > I’m not familiar with Texas law but I assume that the state does not execute burglars as a rule. I think it’s a bit much to grant a 15 year old boy greater punitive powers than the state. He wasn’t punishing the burglar. He was being attacked and he made the attack stop. Residential burglary is a _violent crime_. It’s inherently dangerous. (Whether keeping guns in the home ultimately makes one safer is a different issue, though. You would probably also be safer from violent attacks like this one if you let a grizzly bear loose in your house. But if we’re going to let people have guns in their houses we might as well let them defend themselves when they’re being assaulted.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-son-of-deputy-shoots-burglary-suspect/645716.md?page=2)