9 Nov
Why I carry at home–cause I’m not paranoid
Missed this on Friday, the local newspaper, affectionately known as the Startlegram had several stories over the course of the weekend.
The shooting occurred about 11:30 a.m. in the 4400 block of Shackleford Street.
Sgt. Pedro Criado, police spokesman, said it appears that the two suspected burglars had just entered the home when the homeowner fired an unknown number of rounds at both men.
I’m getting to know the Fort Worth area and that address sounded familiar. It is just up the road from the lady who was attacked when she was walking down the street. I talked about that crime here.
Updates to the story have more details.
It began, family members say, with gang graffiti sprayed on their car and mailbox at their home in the 4400 block of Shackleford Street.
Since then, they say, burglars have broken into the home twice, kicking in doors or breaking windows and stealing money and electronics. Last month, a day before one of those burglaries, Hawkins scared off a man he found removing the rims and tires from his car by firing a warning shot.
No information on whether or not the homeowner reportedt those crimes. I know that area and there is a heavy police presence there. Despite that, crime is still a problem in the area.
By the way, I don’t agree with the practice of firing a warning shot.
For all those syncophants that say “give the criminals what they want”, doesn’t it appear the criminals wanted anything and everything this family had?
Anthony Hawkins, who had lost his job in recent weeks, was home.
“My brother called, and he said, ‘Somebody’s kicking in my door,’ ” Joseph Hawkins said. “I said, ‘Anthony, protect yourself. I’m on my way.’ ”
I also disagree with calling a relative first. Call the police, get them rolling to the scene. Even if he done that, I doubt the police would have been able to respond in time. Again, notice the criminals didn’t respect the home owners property, didn’t respect the fact he was out of work. He had stuff they wanted and they were willing to take it. How many people have had to pawn their property in order to buy groceries or medicines…yet we still have people saying property isn’t worth killing over.
Police were investigating whether the same two men may have tried to burglarize a north Fort Worth residence earlier Friday; that resident fired at the suspects as they fled in a similarly described vehicle.
Also note the time of day, 11:30 a.m.; middle of the day. Anyone want to bet that Juan Juarez, 24 or Jonathan Cruz, 27 had jobs working the second/third shift or do you think they were career criminals?
When Joseph Hawkins arrived a short time later, one of the suspected burglars was dead in the street and police were swarming in on the second, who was seriously injured.
Sgt. Pedro Criado, a police spokesman, said it appears the two had just entered the home when they were met by the owner’s gunfire. One fled around the side of the house before collapsing on Collin Street. The man, who had not been identified as of Friday afternoon, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other suspect ran to a red Ford Explorer parked on Shackleford when the homeowner opened fire again, possibly after seeing the suspect reach under the seat as if going for a weapon.
That suspect was taken to a hospital, and police radio reports indicated that he had been shot in the shoulder and head. His condition was not available.
There is much talk about just letting people go when they run away. I agree.
If they are just running away. If they are possibly reaching for a weapon, then they are still a danger. I’ll try to follow this story and see if the criminals were armed with more then their hands and feet.
By the way, you break down my door I’m not going to assume that you are there to sell me Girl Scout cookies or ask to rake my yard. I’m going to assume that you mean violence to my family or I….because you’ve already committed violence in the way you entered my house.
This happened less then 10 miles from my house.While I live in a relatively quiet neighborhood crime wise, I’m not under any illusion that crime only happens in “bad neighborhoods”. And this area sees a lot of crime.
Why do gun control advocates continue to put barriers in the way of people trying to defend themselves?
Does anyone think these two “choir boys” would have simply left if the owner wasn’t armed?
Please join the discussion.
Posted by mike w. on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
I also disagree with calling a relative first. Call the police.
In my case my brother is a State cop. He’s probably the 1st person I’d call in such a situation.
Posted by Weer'd Beard on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
Two Birds, One Stone, Mike!
Tho I’d call 911 first, I’ll even request an ambulance if think I landed a shot. I want the local boys to back me up ASAP, then I’ll let my Mom know I’m OK.
Posted by Bob S. on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
Mike W.
There were a couple of reasons I disagreed. 1st, who can be there faster. Usually it is the law enforcement, right?
2nd, who will be bringing more firearms. Usually it is the law enforcement, right?
3rd, it shows that no body was trying to hide anything. By calling law enforcement, a person establishes their legitimacy in a way that calling a relative doesn’t.
In your case, the brother may be the closest law enforcement who can respond.
Posted by Sarah on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
Rotten things can happen anywhere, any time. If I could predict when and where they’d go down, I’d just stay at home that day – but since I can’t do that, I’ll just have to continue being prepared.
Posted by Bob S. on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
Sarah,
This guy stayed home that day and rotten things happened to him there.
The point is to carry your gun, even at home.
While crime stats are down, they seem to be shifting to more like this event.
Posted by mike w. on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
I’ll admit I rarely carry while at home. I’m usually changed into something comfortable after work and that means no duty belt and IWB holster.
That said there are always at least 2 guns easily accessable, loaded & ready to go anytime I’m home (unless the nephews are over, in which case they go back in the safe)
Posted by totwtytr on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
Mike W, I don’t know about #2. I have some friends…
Still, it’s a good idea to call 9-1-1 as soon as possible. Preferably that’s before shooting, but sometimes that can’t be helped.
Homeowner 1, bad guys 0, that’s a good thing.
Posted by Even the Newspapers in Texas get it - 3 Boxes of BS on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
[...] up is the recent case we talked about here Relatives of the homeowner involved in the latest shooting told the Star-Telegram that the home in [...]
Posted by Carmen on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
Idont think that you should murder any one over things that can be replaced. one’s life cant be replaces.IF there is a burglar in ur f***ing home call the f***ing police u just dont go and shoot people i think its sick that there are people that r cheering the homeowner on for what he did!!!!!!! R.I.P JUAN AND JOHATHAN
Posted by Bob S. on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
Carmen,
How exactly is a person to tell if the thug in your home is just there to rob or if that low life thug is there to murder people in their sleep?
There are some things that can not be replaced — and there is no reason for a thug to be in my home trying to take my things. That person decided his/her life isn’t worth more then my property.
That is a risk they take when they break into someone’s home.
Cheering the homeowner? No. pointing out that violent thugs like Juan and Jonathon died because they chose a lifestyle of crime and violence….absolutely.
Average police response time in Arlington is approximately 4 minutes. If someone came busting into your house, are you going to wait for the police or act?
Posted by mike w. on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
Carmen – Justifiable homicide and murder have two separate definitions. Look them up.
I have no sympathy for Juan or Johathan. They CHOSE to commit a forcible felony against someone else. Breaking into someone’s home has consequences. One of those consequences is getting shot. They put themselves in the situation by burglarizing a home. Had they not chosen to commit that crime they would still be alive today.
I’m sorry, but getting shot by your intended victim is an occupational hazard of committing violent crimes. These two found that out the hard way. They should have thought about that before deciding to break into this guys house.
Good riddance to them.
Posted by Jay on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
Carmen,
In Sar Marcos, Texas, about 40 miles south of Austin, there was a home invasion back in September 2009. 4 16 year old teenagers broke into a college students house.
One of the teens had a real pistol, 2 had “very realistic pellet pistols”, and the last one didn’t have anything.
What does that sound like? Does it sound like a simple home break-in and robbery? No, that is a raiding party.
The college student was armed, and shot 3 of the 4. 2 were killed, 1 lost his left leg from half of his thigh down, and the other wasn’t wounded at all.
The 2 that lived are being tried. The grand jury declined to press charges against the college student.
Put yourself in the shoes of the above college student. He is asleep in his bed, and hears shouting. He grabs his Glock, and goes to the door of his bedroom. He sees 4 strangers in his home, sees that 3 of the 4 are armed, and reasonably believes the 4th is armed as well.
What is he supposed to do? Call the cops? Average response time (even with lights and sirens) in San Marcos is around 3 minutes. Get a stopwatch and see how long 180 seconds. Then consider what you could’ve done in that 3 minutes. Those 4 teenagers could have killed everyone in the house and be gone before the cops showed up.
I don’t believe anyone here would enjoy taking a human life. I believe that is the last course of action anyone should take. However, if I am in fear for my life, and it’s my life or that of some low level thug breaking in, you bet I’d take his life. I wouldn’t enjoy it and celebrate, but that is something I would have to do to protect my life.
Posted by Carmen on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
Today would have been juan’s 25th birthday if he would of lived. JAN.27,2010 RIP JUAN JUAREZ
Posted by Bob S. on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
Carmen,
I’m sorry that Juan Juarez made the decision that cost him his life. Maybe he (and his friends) should have chosen differently.
Criminals face the risk of death when they try to take the property of others.
Did Juan every beat anyone, did he kill anyone, did he steal life saving medicine from people?
I have sympathy for his family at his death but not for that actions that cost him his life.
Posted by Thomas on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
I live in Hays County, TX as does the county seat of San Marcos (far far away from me) referenced above. My response time on calls is never less than 20 minutes, 40 minutes to an hour isn’t unusual unless there’s something literally fatal going down. Something most Hays County residents don’t know: Other than dispatchers, the Sheriff’s Department and Substations ARE NOT STAFFED. Sometimes you will find a deputy in one of them doing paperwork or something, but they are not staffed in any sort of established or even expected sense, as they don’t have the deputies to spare. All deputies on the clock are actively out working. Found this out when I wanted to talk to a deputy about a problem neighbor child and offered to come in and was told “It’d be easier to have somebody stop by when they aren’t busy and in your area, as it’s anybodies guess when you’ll catch anybody in one of the offices.” Handier to have a gun than a phone. Or maybe more than one gun…
Posted by A on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
i want you all to think about it in another way what if that was your nephew, grandson, brother, friend, in this moment u may say that wouldn’t happen to your family but it might. juan was a LOVEING PERSON he would give you his shirt of his back , the last dollar in his wallet, if a needed a friend he was there. i know what he did or didn’t do was not right but he and his friend didnt have to die that way. the homeowner was shooting to kill c’on the head the chest if he was going to shoot why not call the cops first.
Posted by Bob S. on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
A,
Juan was a criminal. He broke into another person’s home with intentions only Juan knew for sure.
Let’s turn it around….what would you do if it was your home that 2 men broke into by kicking down the front door?
Would you assume they are there to GIVE the home owner their last dollar?
. i know what he did or didn’t do was not right but he and his friend didnt have to die that way
It wasn’t right and Juan didn’t have to die that way. He could have not tried to rob someone. He could have chosen not to break into a person’s home.
the homeowner was shooting to kill c’on the head the chest if he was going to shoot why not call the cops first.
The homeowner was shooting to stop a threat. There were 2 young, stronger and obvious criminals breaking into his house — for what reason ???
Was Juan wearing a shirt saying “Only here to steal your property”?
Did he stop by days before and warn the homeowner that his house would ONLY be robbed?
As far as the home owner knew, they were there to kill him. He responded — note that word — RESPONDED to the violence committed by Juan and Jonathon.
why not call the cops first.
Because the cops are minutes away and the criminal thugs Juan and Jonathon were seconds away!!
Average response time for police in Fort Worth is around 6 minutes….did Juan knock on the door and say “Hey, in 6 minutes we’ll kick in your door, scare the stuffing out of you and make you wonder why we are here”???
Nope they broke into a house and died because of their actions.
Posted by A on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
ok bob you think you know everything!!! U FUCKING BASTERD
Posted by john on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
mike w. i hope that something happens to friends or family so that people can tell you that they dont have sympathy for you. you dog you have no heart
Posted by mike w. on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
mike w. i hope that something happens to friends or family so that people can tell you that they dont have sympathy for you. you dog you have no heart
I have no sympathy for violent criminals like Juan who commit unprovoked acts of violence against others. Actions have consequences. Had he not CHOSEN to commit a forcible felony he’d still be alive today.
I go beyond not having sympathy for them. I’ll say good job to the homeowner, as he’s making everyone around him safer. Now these two guys will no longer be able to invade people’s homes.
What would YOU do if two men busted down your door? Invite them in for milk & cookies?
Very classy of you to wish ill upon me. I can see why you’re friends with someone like the deceased.
Posted by Bob S. on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
A,
Thanks for showing your intelligence and great command of the English language.
I have no illusions that I know everything. I only report on what I see and hear from the news media.
Tell me was this Juan’s first brush with crime or not?
John,
Why should we have sympathy for the actions of criminals?
Did Juan and Jonathon have sympathy for their victim?
They are the criminals, not the home owner. Did they have any heart when they kicked down his door to steal his property and possible harm him?
Grow up and stop acting like children both of you. Have sympathy for the loss of the family but not for the death of a criminal who was killed while breaking into another person’s home.
They are the ones who valued their lives so little, they are the ones who cared so little if they lived or died, they are the ones who committed predatory violence on another person.
Posted by A on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
to mike the profanity deleted” Very classy of you to wish ill upon me. I can see why you’re friends with someone like the deceased.”
you know what f**k u and burn in h** m*****rf***r
Edited to add by Bob S. — “A” do no use that type of language or I will delete your comments. Especially don’t use that type of language at a follow commenter when you don’t like them telling the truth. You’ve been warned.
Posted by the pistolero on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
Man, those are some high-quality trolls you got there, Bob. I’m jealous now.
Posted by A on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
BOB shut the f**k up u and mike go f**k each other.
Edited to add by Bob S. — You slipped this in while I was editing your last inane response. Continue this behavior and you will be banned.
I’m open to having a discussion but won’t put up with your vulgarity.
Posted by mike w. on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
Aww, looks like the children can’t handle discussion so they attack us with profanity laden diatribes. How sad! I wonder if they’re an accurate reflection on the character (or lack thereof) of the two violent criminals who were shot?
Birds of a feather and all…..
Posted by Linoge on 09.11.09 at 11:15 AM
Wow. I go offline for the better part of a day, and I miss out on all the fun.
Juan did something stupid. Juan paid for his stupidity. Case closed. Profanities are not going to change that, and simply illustrate the character and qualities of his apparent/supposed friends.