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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Employees at a Planet Fitness in Indiana were taken aback when they found the deceased body of a 39-year-old man inside a tanning bed, where he had entered three days prior. The discovery was made after a report brought officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to the gym on Hardegen Street on November 11, just before 8:30 a.m.
The Marion County Coroner’s Office identified the man as Derek Sink. A noticeable foul odor permeated the building, intensifying near the tanning rooms, which eventually led to the grim discovery.
A spokesperson for the gym expressed their sorrow over the incident, stating, “We were deeply saddened by the passing of one of our members, and the franchise owner is working with the local authorities in their investigation.”
Sink’s aunt revealed to WTHR-TV that he wore an ankle monitor, which indicated he had not exited the gym since entering the tanning bed on November 8. This detail helped police conclude that he had been in the tanning bed for an extended period.
Karen Wetzel, Sink’s mother, shared with People magazine that her son had gone to the gym with his girlfriend and daughter. They left him to go shopping, only to be unable to locate him upon their return. Wetzel mentioned Sink’s struggle with drug addiction and noted that a syringe was found with his body. She suspected that a toxicology report might reveal the presence of fentanyl.
“I’m just trying to keep myself together until this funeral is done, and then I’ll have my fall-apart,” Wetzel said, expressing her grief.
This incident bears resemblance to a case from August, where a woman was found deceased at her desk at the Wells Fargo corporate office in Tempe, Arizona. Her body remained undiscovered over the weekend until her boss attempted to contact her via email. Authorities reported no evidence of foul play and later attributed her death to “sudden cardiac death in the setting of myocardial fibrosis.”
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Recently released bodycam footage reveals a peculiar incident involving a Michigan man who attempted to evade law enforcement on a riding lawn mower. The footage captures the unusual chase and subsequent events that unfolded when the suspect, James Mitchell Kerr, was approached by authorities.
On September 19, officers were dispatched to a residence in Leoni Township with the intention of arresting Kerr, who had multiple outstanding warrants. Upon arriving, the deputy found the 41-year-old suspect operating a riding lawn mower. Despite being ordered to dismount, Kerr allegedly refused to comply.
In a surprising turn, Kerr reportedly accelerated the mower toward the deputy before attempting to flee. The chase, while unconventional, saw the mower eventually come to a halt in a ditch. Even then, Kerr allegedly ignored commands to surrender.
The situation escalated further when Kerr returned to his mower, retrieved a concealed handgun, and aimed it at the deputy. In response, the officer deployed a stun gun, successfully striking Kerr. This action inadvertently caused Kerr to discharge his weapon, resulting in a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his hand.
Kerr was subsequently treated for his injury at a local hospital and later released. Fortunately, the deputy emerged from the incident unharmed.
“This incident underscores how rapidly a seemingly routine encounter can escalate and the potential dangers deputies face daily,” remarked the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. “Thankfully, the deputy was unharmed, and the suspect did not sustain serious injuries.”
Following his medical clearance, Kerr was arrested and released on bail. The case prompted Jackson County Sheriff Gary Schuette to request an independent investigation by the Michigan State Police, alongside an internal review by the sheriff’s office. The internal investigation concluded that there were no policy violations during the incident.
In October, Kerr faced formal charges and was bound over for trial in circuit court. He remains in custody at the Jackson County Jail, awaiting further legal proceedings.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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A shocking series of stabbings unfolded in New York City, leading to the deaths of three individuals. The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Ramon Rivera, has a history of multiple arrests and is currently homeless. His arrest came after a cab driver, who witnessed one of the attacks, notified the authorities.
The victims were simply going about their daily routines when they were attacked without warning. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny stated, “Today, we have three innocent New Yorkers, just going about their lives, who were the victim of a terrible, terrible assault.”
The violent spree began at approximately 8:20 a.m. on 19th Street. A 36-year-old man was stabbed in the stomach while standing in front of a construction site. Despite being rushed to Bellevue Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
Just two hours later, another attack occurred on 30th Street near the East River. This time, a 68-year-old man who was fishing was repeatedly stabbed. Unfortunately, he also did not survive, passing away at the same hospital.
The final victim, a 36-year-old woman, was attacked near the United Nations building on East 42nd Street and First Avenue. She was critically injured and taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she later died.
Kenny emphasized the seemingly random nature of these brutal acts, saying, “As of right now, these attacks seemed to be unprovoked. That he just walked up to them and began to attack them with the knives.”
The suspect was apprehended shortly after the third attack. A cab driver, who witnessed the incident, mistakenly thought he was observing a robbery and reported it to the police. Rivera was found with large kitchen knives and blood-stained clothing.
An officer involved in Rivera’s arrest described the scene: “I just heard a commotion. Stepped outside and heard what people were saying and reacted.”
Mayor Eric Adams highlighted systemic issues, describing the incidents as a “clear, clear example of the criminal justice system, mental health system that continues to fail New Yorkers.” The investigation is ongoing, with no additional suspects identified at this time.
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.