Wrong House

by
posted on October 28, 2014
** 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. **
gsagi2015_fs.jpg (4)

Earlier this week a knock came at the door of Kenneth Byrd, who lives in Lumberton, N.C. Reports are varied as to how they gained entry, but it appears only one of them was there at first, claiming to have some sort of car trouble.

When the door swung open the other pair of armed home invaders burst in, beating him, his wife and granddaughter—severely according to this follow-up report from the local newspaper. He got to his gun somehow, and connected with all three of the alleged perps. Unfortunately, they were not the only ones hit. Byrd took eight rounds.

The Robesonian newspaper describes the neighborhood as quiet and lawful until the past year, so unless my math is wrong, Byrd had lived in a decent area with few problems for 19 (backing out the fact one man in the story claims to have been his neighbor for 20 years). I guess it came knocking on the wrong house—and thoughts and prayers go out for his speedy recovery.

There is one lesson in this tragedy for the rest of us. One of the alleged knew the victims well, according to neighbors, and had knowledge of money and prescription drugs in the house—loose lips sink ships, so to speak. Thankfully, having a gun for self-defense apparently wasn’t part of the conversation.

Then there’s a message to potential felons. You may be young, strong, not ailing enough to require a doctor’s care and medication, but when you invade and criminally touch someone in that person’s family—and the old geek you thought was an easy victim has access to a gun—I hope you enjoy that ride in the stolen caddy, because it may be your last.

That’s the way it played out in Lumberton, anyway.

*Byrd has undergone surgery and is currently in an area hospital’s ICU. There have been no further updates and the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office didn’t return e-mail requests as this story was filed. We’ll keep you up to date on his progress as we learn it in the comments section.

Latest

Heritage Mfg Roscoe Rifleman Review 1
Heritage Mfg Roscoe Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Heritage Mfg. Roscoe

In recent years, Heritage Mfg. has expanded its centerfire offerings, and the Roscoe is one of the latest new models, a retro-styled revolver chambered for .38 Special that's capable of dedicated defensive use.

Chiappa Expands Rhino Revolver Lineup

Chiappa Firearms is updating its unique line of Rhino revolvers with several new models, giving consumers an all-new 10 mm Auto chambering, as well as complete stainless-steel construction.

Review: TandemKross Manticore X

In 2024, TandemKross (TK), best known for its high-quality competition upgrades for rimfire platforms, launched the first ever lower-receiver assembly designed for the rimfire Ruger 10/22 platform.

Rifleman Q&A: Surreptitious L.C. Smith

American Rifleman staff recently received the following question about markings on a possible L.C. Smith shotgun. Read what we learned:

USA Clay Target League Breaks Participation Record—Again

The fall season is underway for the USA Clay Target League, and the number of student athletes participating speaks volumes about the growing popularity of shooting sports among high school- and college-age students.

Hunting For The Perfect Partner: Ruger/Dead Air’s Centerfire RXD

The result of a joint venture between two giants of their respective industries, the new RXD30Ti exemplifies just how beneficial a well-designed hunting suppressor can be in the field.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.