Elderly Texas Man Shoots Two Unarmed Burglars
Elderly Texas Man Shoots Two Unarmed Burglars Save Email Print
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(November 14, 2007)--Pasadena police say an elderly man shot and killed two men Wednesday he believed were burglarizing his neighbor's house.

Capt. "Bud" Corbett says the man heard noises he thought sounded like broken glass and determined the commotion was happening next door.

The man called police and then saw two men coming through a gate in the backyard of the neighbor's house.

Corbett says the elderly man had a shotgun and confronted the pair, told them to stop and shot them when they refused.

One person was found dead about two houses away.

The other was found dead across the street.

Police were interviewing the elderly man.
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Posted by: big brother Location: right behind you on Jul 2, 2008 at 11:20 PM
jim from killeen I like your comments, and thanks for standing up for the police. If we could we would be everywhere at once but we can not and we welcome law abiding citizens to aid us in our work. It is a community effort to keep our stated and country safe not just the polices responsibilty. That old man deserves a big hug and a large golden metal on his chest. Thats what I call an old school hero.
Posted by: big brother Location: right behind you on Jul 2, 2008 at 11:14 PM
wow I guess there are still a few heros left in the word today. I will tell all of you this I am law enforcement here in Texas and I have seen burglarys go bad all the time and people get killed. there does not have to be a threat to be able to shoot someone. Penal Code Chapter 9 lays out the law as far as defending property, he followed the law perfectly, thats what its there for. we can't just let people runn around breaking the law. But its all fun and games until its your house or your wife and kids or parents being killed and no one has a description of the suspects except they were tall and had on white shirts, then you will feel the frustation as well
Posted by: GRANT Location: PA on Dec 23, 2007 at 12:50 PM
THIS FOR THE AMERICAN HERO,S IN TEXAS AND ALL THE OTHER LIKE HIM YOUR GAY AN FROM TEXAS HA-HA YOUR ALL GAY
Posted by: Mike Location: AZ on Dec 14, 2007 at 12:13 AM
I will support shooting thieves that have the odascity to break into our homes and disrespect our space! Any body that thinks it was wrong shooting the thieves must be a thief lover.
Posted by: The Psychopathic Patriot Location: Indiana on Dec 13, 2007 at 03:02 AM
If the law allows it, I would have shot them as well. If you do not agree with me on this issue of just shoot the criminal, you are a criminal yourself wanting protection from law abiding citizens. Because all you want is a free rain to terrorize, brutalize, and destroy the lives of anyone you want without anyone fighting back. Because criminals like you are nothing more than bullies that have not learned during childhood it is not right to hurt people, now the two burglars wont be robbing anyone anytime soon now will they. I think it is funny that those two are dead! That man is a real AMERICAN HERO, I want to move to texas so I can be just like him. And to anyone who claims that this man should be charged, and says they are law enforcement, you are a liar. You are not law enforcement! Simple facts are, if the law clearly states you can use deadly force, then you are going to back up the one who used deadly force against burglars, because law enforcement officers back up the laws.
Posted by: ron Location: arkansas on Dec 12, 2007 at 04:57 AM
it's about time americans stood up and said enough,I want my country back.If someone comes on to my property looking to steal or worse I won't even wait to see if they halt,shoot first is my motto.You think I give a dam about a thugs rights?
Posted by: james Location: Atlanta, GA on Dec 7, 2007 at 08:34 PM
Only an idiot would shoot two unarmed men for stealing. Just in case you idiots didn't know it burglary is not a capital crime. I am a law enforcement officer. This man should stand trial for capital murder x2 and burn in the electric chair! He is a murderer, nothing less. You never shoot to wound. If you use a firearm it is only to defend your life or the life of someone else. I can't believe some of you people.
Posted by: Hughes Location: Southern California on Dec 3, 2007 at 11:57 PM
How much are the homes on his block, I would like to live next to an America. -Bill
Posted by: Bill Location: Fairport, NY on Dec 3, 2007 at 02:58 PM
Michael from the UK WTF? You accuse Americans of an unhealthy facination of guns? What about your unhealthy facination of soccer? Shooting criminals in act of crime = bad. Killing a bloak at a football match because he roots for the other team = OK???? Ask Sean Taylor's killers if they only intended to steal his "loot".
Posted by: Veronica Location: CA on Nov 29, 2007 at 11:58 PM
He's my hero! Rid the world of a couple of criminals and saved the people money on housing them in prison. I say it's a win-win in my book! It's stories like these that make me want to live in Tx and not CA where common criminals get away with just about everything. Thumbs up to your commment as well Billy Goat...I agree 100%! UK: You say the burglers did no harm but they did. Being a victim myself..I do not sleep like I use to...I am always worried about someone breaking in or stealing the propery I worked hard for. They may have not done physical harm but those two thugs did emotional harm...which doesnt heal as fast as physical sometimes. You dont have to lay a hand on someone to harm them.
Posted by: Michael Location: United Kingdom on Nov 29, 2007 at 04:52 PM
I've got yo say, this is the craziest thing Ive ever heard of. This elderly guy had no right killing those burglars. I got to say that you Americans have an unhealthy fascination with guns and protection of your rights to use your gun on what ever miner altercation of what you consider to be affront to your personal ethics. this elderly guy had now ethics. i no liberal but i have respect for life. these guy may have burgled his neighbours house but lets just think about that for a second, they did not harm any human they did not touch any human or doing anything bad to any human. they only burgled a house. surley that does not warrant being killed in the street by some self righteous neighbour for maybe the minimal criminal damage they may have caused. i find this to be almost as fanatical as some of the extremist in the middle east for what is a minimal crime at the end of the day. this guy should have just stayed in his house and let the police do there job.
Posted by: Michael Location: Minnesota on Nov 28, 2007 at 03:05 PM
Your articles title just say it all, you must be a stinking liberal. You jerks are always on the side of the criminal. You barely mention they had broken into someones home, stole their personal property and were trying to escape with it. This man stood up, and said no more, enough your criminal behavior stops here and now. Papers like yours is why I quit reading the news paper and I get my news off the internet. This guy did alright by me any day of the week and I would gladly contribute to his defense fund should the grand jury be filled with idiots like you.
Posted by: joe Location: vegas on Nov 22, 2007 at 01:16 AM
he is a stupid as he can be
Posted by: Big Billy Goat Gruff Location: Connecticut on Nov 22, 2007 at 12:15 AM
Yea, he could have shot them in the legs. Maybe. Try it sometime. Or he could have waited and given their discription to the police and they could have caught them. Maybe. Or they could have gotten away and then robbed your house. And you or a loved one could be killed in a robbery gone bad. Happens all the time. So I figure the old gent had the answer.THE WORLD'S A BETTER PLACE,AND SAFER.Now he might just end up being arrested,but a Texas jury will never convict him. How ever it rolls out I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6.
Posted by: John Location: California on Nov 20, 2007 at 01:56 PM
I have heard about this and both of these thieves had records going back years. You have got to love Texas for their no nonsense approach to dealing with the dregs of humanity. This will become more and more common and I for one believe in it is long overdue.
Posted by: Jim Location: Layton, Utah on Nov 18, 2007 at 02:05 PM
Give the gentleman a medal. Too bad for the bad guys.
Posted by: Joe Location: North Carolina on Nov 17, 2007 at 12:20 PM
He'd almost certainly face more headaches for merely wounding the theives. He may already get wrongful death suites, but he'd certainly get sued for medical expenses had they lived. I probably couldn't have pulled the trigger at fleeing men, but as a jury member, I wouldn't throw the book at him, either. Had they known the criminal system and surrendered, they'd be back on the streets the next day, especially if no stolen goods were found on them. As for comparing the elder gent to a police officer, it's not much of a comparison; professionals trained to deal with such scenarios with common citizens.
Posted by: Sam Location: Atlanta on Nov 17, 2007 at 08:46 AM
Good shoot, I think not. Had this been a police officer who shot two men that he knew or family members that were unarmed he and the masses would be outraged. He was advised by the 911 operator to stay in his home, there was no one at home at the time so WHERE WAS THE THREAT! we need to think about our actions. and as for the police, they were responding to the call, had the "Gentleman" been patient, he could have given a very good description to the officers since he was so involved in thwarting crime in his community.
Posted by: John Location: Florida on Nov 16, 2007 at 10:03 PM
HEY MAN, NICE SHOT! Next time I hope he uses a chainsaw and has some good video equipment set-up to record it. This guy should get an endorsement deal with Remington :-)
Posted by: Danny Location: Nolanville on Nov 16, 2007 at 06:13 PM
GOOD JOB!!!! Don't feel bad we all need more neighbors like you!!
Posted by: Onecoolkat Location: Oklahoma on Nov 16, 2007 at 04:50 PM
Good. Wish all States let you do the rite thing. Bleeding hearts want to prosecute the good guy here, and want us to let criminals rob, steal, rape and murder and you should just watch. BS..I tip my hat to this guy!
Posted by: Randy Location: Kentucky on Nov 16, 2007 at 06:31 AM
I guess that dispatcher was wrong. yes, property is worth shooting someone over. i hope the dispatcher reads this and see's his mistake. if i leave my keys in the car. that does'nt mean you can take it. BANG ! BANG !
Posted by: Jeff Location: Albuquerque on Nov 16, 2007 at 03:17 AM
4 years ago my home was burglarized during the day WHEN I WAS INSIDE ASLEEP as I work graveyard. I have been traumatized ever since and thank God I wasn't harmed. I live in constant fear that someone's breaking into my home everytime I hear the smallest sound or wind blowing through the trees. I have wrought iron throughout my home and am still uncomfortable traveling out of town as I fear someone will break into my home and STEAL what I have worked so hard for. I wish I had owned a gun at the time, I would've done the same thing this elderly gentlemen did. Good for him and I absolutely wish he was MY neighbor 4 years ago!
Posted by: Steve Location: Waco on Nov 15, 2007 at 02:48 PM
He did call the police.They were not there so he had to do something. Those two guys were robbing his neighbor. He did tell them to stop what they were doing. They didn't listen. He did what he had to do. No they didn't have a gun but they could have used something else to hurt the man or even kill him. He is an elderly man. He was only protecting himself and the neighbors stuff.
Posted by: Pate Triot Location: USA on Nov 15, 2007 at 01:53 PM
Bravo!!!
Posted by: Clarance Location: Waco on Nov 15, 2007 at 09:55 AM
In talking with a friend that works at TSTC I was surprise to find out that President Bush has never toured the campus. I would like to know why in the 7 years he has never done so. Can you'll ask him?
Posted by: ray Location: killeen on Nov 15, 2007 at 09:48 AM
give the man a medal & a new box of shells
Posted by: B Location: Killeen on Nov 15, 2007 at 09:37 AM
FYI, hopefully the new castle doctrine law will protect the elderly guy. For those who blame the Police, they can't be everywhere at the time you want them to be. If you think it's that easy, why don't you ride out for a day and see how it really is instead of judge from behind your computer screen.
Posted by: Jim Location: Killeen on Nov 15, 2007 at 09:21 AM
"The elderly man could have shot them in the legs but killing them?" Are you kidding me? You have probably never fired a weapon and certainly not in a stress situation. It is hard enough to shoot accurately when you are calm let alone with adrenaline coursing through your veins. You shoot for the biggest target which would be center mass. Were they shooting back at him they certainly would not have been shooting at his legs. The law says you can use deadly force to stop deadly force. The intent is to make them stop not to wound or kill. If they happen to die as a result thats too bad for them. Lets not forget this was in the middle of the night it sounds like. Likely it was dark and he would not have been able to tell if they were armed or not. He did what he had to do to stay alive and protect his property. Tired of people advocating the humane treatment of criminals. If you don't want to get shot don't burglarize peoples private property. Simple enough.
Posted by: Brian Location: Killeen on Nov 15, 2007 at 08:41 AM
They need to give the man an award for protecting law abiding people. I hope he made them suffer a bit
Posted by: Kasie Location: Davis on Nov 15, 2007 at 08:31 AM
Hey, How are you doing Rusty Garrett? I am Curious about that shoting that happened in oglesby. Have yall found the person that did it to the innocent people. Well i am happy that i could talk to you I am scared to go to sleep at night.Well got 2 go.
Posted by: DR Location: Texas on Nov 15, 2007 at 08:18 AM
It's a shame HE will become the criminal instead of the 2 he stopped. Where were the police? The law is clear. Police DO NOT have a duty to protect-just investigate. And he could not use deadly force unless his life was threatened. No wonder the bad guys are winning.
Posted by: mike Location: texas on Nov 14, 2007 at 08:55 PM
2 is a good start. Buy the man some more shells.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Belton, Texas on Nov 14, 2007 at 07:41 PM
The elderly man could have shot them in the legs but killing them? Wow I couldn't live with myself.
Posted by: David Location: Killeen,Texas on Nov 14, 2007 at 06:45 PM
Good move.Maybe the Police will do there job
Posted by: Richard Location: Temple on Nov 14, 2007 at 06:40 PM
he really let them boys have the business end of that shotgun!
Posted by: Mike Location: Texas on Nov 14, 2007 at 06:21 PM
Good but bad. Texas LAw very specific. HE was not protecting his residence. SO depends upon DA and Grand Jury
Posted by: FRANK Location: TEXAS on Nov 14, 2007 at 05:40 PM
THATS THE KIND OF NEIGHBOR I NEED
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