Preparedness
Homeowner’s Self-Defense Shooting of Officer Sparks Investigation
In a tragic and perplexing incident, a Georgia homeowner found himself in a life-or-death situation when he fatally shot an off-duty Atlanta police officer who had broken into his home. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has released surveillance footage that sheds light on the events that unfolded early Friday morning.
The video shows the officer, Aubree Horton, shirtless and shoeless, attempting to break into the residence just after 5 a.m. The homeowner, acting in self-defense, shot Horton after he forcibly entered the home.
The incident took place in Winston, Georgia, a community located about 30 minutes west of Atlanta. The surveillance footage captures Horton yelling and running towards the house in the early morning darkness. He can be heard slamming his body against the door and shouting, “Help me!” and “Kill me!” before making another attempt to force his way inside.
As the video continues, Horton sits down on the porch, and the homeowner can be heard asking, “Who are you?” Horton responds with, “I love you. No, just kill me,” before lying down on the porch. The video concludes with Horton standing up again as the homeowner continues to communicate with him.
The sheriff’s office has redacted certain portions of the video, including the sound of the fatal shot and the response of law enforcement officers. These will be made available once the investigation is complete.
Prior to the incident, the homeowner’s wife had left for work but was alerted by her Ring doorbell camera to the unfolding situation. She promptly called 911. The homeowner, who had been in bed, was awakened by the commotion and, fearing for his wife’s safety, armed himself before approaching the front door.
The sheriff’s office noted that the couple had previously experienced an attempted burglary in 2021, which had prompted them to enhance their home’s security measures. This past experience may have heightened the homeowner’s sense of urgency and fear during the incident.
When the homeowner cracked the door open to assess the situation, Horton rushed inside, knocking him to the ground. In a moment of fear for his life, the homeowner discharged a single shot, resulting in Horton’s death.
The sheriff’s office is collaborating with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, and they have stated, “after reviewing the available facts, we are both confident that no charges will be filed against the homeowner.”
The situation is further complicated by Horton’s background. He was a decorated officer, having been named Investigator of the Year at the Atlanta Police Foundation’s 20th Annual “Crime Is Toast” Awards just days before the incident. Horton, who lived nearby, may have been experiencing a mental health crisis or was possibly under the influence of narcotics at the time, though toxicology results are still pending.
Authorities have dispelled rumors that the homeowner was connected to Horton or that Horton was involved in a domestic disturbance. “There is no truth to the claim that Officer Horton was involved in a domestic disturbance, or that any family member of his sought refuge at the home. Horton was completely unknown to the homeowner,” the sheriff’s office clarified.
As the investigation continues, the community and Horton’s colleagues are left grappling with the loss of an esteemed officer under such tragic circumstances.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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A recent road rage incident in Illinois escalated to gunfire when a concealed-carrying motorist felt threatened by an approaching individual. The confrontation unfolded at the intersection of Busey Avenue and Park Street in Urbana, drawing a swift response from local police.
The altercation began as a verbal dispute between a man driving alone and a couple in another vehicle. Tensions rose when the solo driver attempted to distance himself from the pursuing pair by pulling into a hospital emergency room parking lot before exiting onto Park Street.
As the situation intensified, the couple continued their pursuit, stopping their car at Park Street. The female driver armed herself with a baseball bat, while her male passenger approached the lone motorist.
The solo driver, who held a concealed-carry permit, reported that the approaching male appeared to have his hand under his shirt, suggesting he might be armed. In response, the driver drew his legally concealed firearm and fired multiple shots, striking the male passenger.
Following the shooting, the driver promptly called 911 to report the incident. The injured male was transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery and was placed in intensive care.
Authorities are actively investigating the incident, and no arrests have been made at this time. The police encourage anyone with information to come forward, offering options for private discussions or anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
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In Jacksonville, Florida, a mother took matters into her own hands to confront an 18-year-old man who was allegedly engaging in inappropriate text exchanges with her 13-year-old daughter. The confrontation, which took place at a local Popeyes restaurant, escalated dramatically and ended with the suspect being shot.
According to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Chief of Investigations Alan Parker, the suspect, Cerry Rodriques Banks, had been involved in “an inappropriate text relationship with a 13-year-old female.” Upon discovering these communications, the girl’s mother decided to intervene directly. She assumed her daughter’s identity by using her phone to communicate with Banks, setting up a meeting with him at the restaurant early on a Sunday morning.
When Banks arrived, he was expecting to meet the young girl but was instead confronted by the mother, her daughter, and her 11-year-old son. During the encounter, Banks allegedly pulled out a gun and ominously warned the mother, “When you hear the shots tonight, you know what’s up.”
The mother quickly ushered her children into the safety of the Popeyes and alerted the authorities. Despite having the opportunity to leave the scene, Banks remained outside the restaurant. When police officers arrived, they instructed Banks to “turn around and show his hands,” but he ignored the commands and attempted to flee.
“As the officer reaches the corner of the business, he observes the suspect pull the pistol from his waistband,” Parker explained. The officer, who has seven years of experience, ordered Banks to drop the weapon. When Banks did not comply, the officer fired, hitting Banks multiple times.
“The suspect continues to flee and, near a neighboring business, drops the gun,” Parker added. Banks managed to escape temporarily but was later captured in a drainage tunnel with the help of a K-9 unit. He sustained injuries to his hand, torso, and possibly his leg, and was provided medical care before being transported to a hospital.
Authorities recovered the firearm, which had not been discharged during the incident. Banks now faces several charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, lewd and lascivious conduct, unlawful use of a communication device, and traveling to meet a minor for illicit purposes.
Jacksonville Sheriff T. K. Waters acknowledged the mother’s concern for her daughter but emphasized that such situations should be handled by law enforcement. “We’d absolutely love to handle every situation, but this is a mother who’s concerned about her daughter. So, I get it, I understand,” Waters stated. “But, I would say that in most cases, in situations like that, call us and let us come out and deal with the situation, so it doesn’t unfold like this.”
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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A concealed-carry motorcyclist was involved in a fatal incident in Maryland last week, which police have described as a road-rage confrontation. The motorcyclist, a 22-year-old with a valid Maryland concealed handgun carry permit, was traveling near Maryland Route 10 and Furnace Branch Road when he encountered an aggressive driver.
According to reports, the motorcyclist noticed another vehicle tailgating him and behaving erratically. The situation escalated when the driver, identified as 51-year-old Scott David Guhse, pulled alongside the motorcyclist, shouting at him. The two nearly collided during the encounter.
Anne Arundel County police spokesman Justin Mulcahy explained, “At a certain point, he was sort of forced off the road, and then stopped. He ultimately had to lay down his bike.” The confrontation reached a critical point when both individuals stopped on East Furnace Branch Road at Margate Drive.
It was there that Guhse allegedly charged at the motorcyclist with a hammer. In response, the motorcyclist drew his handgun and fired, resulting in Guhse’s death at the scene, according to fire officials. The motorcyclist remained at the scene following the incident, cooperating with authorities.
“I heard a pop. I thought it sounded like gunfire,” Hyung Chang, owner of Against Our Odds Vape Shop in Glen Burnie, recounted. “Ten to 15 minutes later, started having police and everything show up.”
Chang remarked on the frequency of such incidents in the area, noting, “It’s unfortunate,” and adding that he witnesses similar altercations at least once a month. “People have to learn to tone things down a little bit and not take things so personal,” he advised.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Don
October 23, 2024 at 12:44 pm
Several months for the toxicology report??? This police officer was going through something bad.