The Armed Citizen® January 1, 2013

Kendra St. Clair, a 12-year-old at home alone one day during her fall break, called her mother at work to say there was a man repeatedly ringing the doorbell and banging on the door. When no one answered the door, she said he disappeared. St. Clair's mother instructed her daughter to get her .40-cal. Glock pistol and go into a bathroom closet. St. Clair heard him break in through the back door. As the man made his way through her home, 911 dispatchers kept St. Clair on the phone. He was inside the home for approximately six minutes before he made his way to the bathroom where St. Clair was hiding. When she saw the door knob begin to turn, she fired the gun. The 32-year-old intruder was taken into custody after being treated for a gunshot to the chest. (The Oklahoman, Durant, OK, 10/20/12)

The Armed Citizen Extra

Police said a man was shot dead early Friday after he became violent and threatened his mother at a home on the Northwest side. According to an incident report, Marcello Passeri, 38, had been in a struggle with several people at a home in the 7000 block of Midway Depot just after midnight when one shot him. Eugene Binkley, 67, told police he and other residents pushed furniture and other heavy items to barricade the front door and prevent Passeri from coming inside, but he forced his way in and fought with them. Binkley reportedly told police he shot the man in the head. Witnesses said Passeri had a drinking problem and had bipolar disorder but was not taking his medication. They also said the man was upset because he had just lost his job. Passeri's mother, who was hiding in a back bedroom, told police Passeri had threatened to kill her and that he was upset because she called police the night before after he caused a disturbance at the home. Passeri was flown to University Hospital, where he died from his injuries. Police spokesman Matt Porter said it does not appear as though the shooter will be charged. (San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio, CA, 4/7/12)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

July 1974: As Memphis, Tenn., shoemaker E.L. King put new heels on a man's shoes, the stocking-footed patron drew a gun and demanded money. King promptly pulled a pistol and order the gunman to leave. Two accomplices vanished, but the "customer" lingered briefly to ask for the return of his shoes. King opened fire and the man raced away barefoot. (The Memphis Press-Scimitar, Memphis, Tenn.)