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Oct 16, 2008 5:07 pm US/Central
Homeowner Shoots, Kills Man Inside His Townhome
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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Suspected burglar Gary Williams
Dallas Co. Sheriff's Dept.
A Dallas homeowner shot and killed an alleged burglar he caught inside his home overnight. It happened at a townhome on the 6100 block of Treemont Street in Dallas.
Dallas police say a homeowner and his wife were in bed around 2 a.m. when they heard the alleged burglar, Gary Williams. The couple called 911 and the homeowner grabbed his pistol and went downstairs. It was then he saw the burglar trying to take his television.
Dallas police say Williams started moving toward the homeowner and that's when the man shot him multiple times. The burglar tried to escape through a first floor window, but collapsed on the patio.
According to police, Williams did not display any weapons. The 21-year-old was taken to a local hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
People living in the area say they don't blame the homeowner. "I think that I would do it," explained neighbor Barbara Cohen. "If I felt threatened in any way, I think my first instinct would be to protect my family and my house."
New statistics show the number of justifiable homicides is increasing. Nationwide, last year, there were 254 killings by citizens that were ruled self-defense – that's the most since 1997.
"We've seen a spike in gun sales and concealed weapons licenses in Texas," explained Jim Dark with the Texas State Rifle Association.
The TXRA is a politically active group that advocates for gun rights. "You can surmise that the economic pressure would drive some people to crime," says Dark. "But, I think the major thing is more people are realizing they're responsible for their own safety."
The homeowner is not expected to face any criminal charges.
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