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

Gotw Springfield Armory Kuna 2
Gotw Springfield Armory Kuna 2

Gun Of The Week: Springfield Armory Kuna

In our latest Gun Of The Week segment, we hit the range with the Springfield Armory Kuna to get a better sense of how this PDW package really works and feels.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 21, 2025

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

The Taurus 650: Embracing The Snubby Lifestyle

With more people embracing the "snubby lifestyle," companies like Taurus USA are providing capable self-defense platforms like the 650, a snag-free design that offers plenty of punch in a pocketable package.

White Flyer Supports Opening Of South Dakota Shooting Sports Complex

Thanks to a generous donation from White Flyer and Winchester Ammunition, South Dakota's newest shooting sports facility opened with plenty of targets available to shotgunners.

Walther Arms Suspends Production Of PPK Line

Walther Arms announced a suspension of its PPK, PPK/S and PP production lines, as the company plans what it calls a "multi-year modernization journey."

Rifleman Review: Colt Viper

As part of Colt's continued expansion of its second-generation "snake guns," the Viper revolver offers a compact, carry-ready variant that offers magnum power in a strong steel-frame format.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.