The Armed Citizen® August 31, 2020

by
posted on August 31, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
armed-citizen-main-image.jpg (4)
Armed Citizen® Today

A homeowner defended himself and his family in Lakeland, Fla., when a 6-ft. 250-lb. man forced his way into the home on the morning of Aug. 28, 2020. 

The home invasion occurred after a spree of incidents where the intruder had acted violently toward others in the area. The series of incidents began earlier that Friday morning around 6:10 a.m. when the man and a woman with him were driving a pickup on Old Polk City Rd. from Orlando. The truck started swerving and eventually drove off the road, through a fence and crashed into a tree.

After the crash, the man reportedly became crazed and left the vehicle walking back into the road. On the road, the man, bleeding, screaming and growling, began jumping onto vehicles passing by. The man targeted a school bus with at least one child onboard and attempted to enter it, but was thwarted when the driver locked the doors.

The crazed man then made his way to the homeowner's residence and crashed through the glass front door. At the time, the homeowner's parents, grandparents and 9-year-old child were also in the residence. The homeowner called the police and verbally attempted to make the intruder leave to no avail. After the crazed intruder grabbed a large piece of glass from the door and threw it at him, the homeowner shot the intruder.

Police arrived shortly afterward and attempted to aid the intruder, who died of his wounds. Authorities said that the homeowner was justified in his action of shooting the intruder in self defense. (orlandosentinel.com
, Orlando, Fla., 08/28/2020)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives February 1987  

A vacationing Texas policeman and his wife were parked on a New Orleans, La., street looking at a map when they were approached by three men. The trio walked away after asking Rudolpho Salazar for the time, but one returned with a gun when Salazar got out of his car.

The armed man tried to rob him and threatened his life. The policeman waited for the would-be burglar to repeat the demand several times, then drew a .25-cal. pistol from his pocket and fatally wounded the armed man. (The State-Times, New Orleans, La.)

Latest

Weatherby 307 MZY 01
Weatherby 307 MZY 01

Weatherby Goes Black Powder: The Model 307 MZY

As Weatherby's first entry into the muzzleloading category, the Model 307 MZY promises to “deliver a new standard of accuracy, reliability, and consistency for black powder hunters.”

First Look: Federal’s X Henry 250th Collection

Federal has officially begun shipping its Federal X Henry Collector’s Edition ammunition, created in partnership with Henry Repeating Arms.

An Independence Day Celebration of the Armed Citizen

Independence Day is a celebration of armed defiance to tyranny—and of the citizen’s right to defend their lives.

When Minutes Counted: The 1776 Battle of Moores Creek Bridge

Shortly before the Declaration of Independence was signed, a small but pivotal battle took place near the port city of Wilmington, N.C. The February 27, 1776, Battle of Moores Creek Bridge was the first Revolutionary War battle to be fought in the Old North State.

I Carry: Kimber 1911 DS Warrior in a PHLster Floodlight 2 Holster

In our latest "I Carry" video, we take a closer look at Kimber's latest double-stack, 2011-style handgun, the 1911 DS Warrior, and pair it with a SureFire X300 Ultra weapon light and a PHLster holster.

The Armed Citizen® July 3, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.