Florida dad fires gun to stop 17-year-old daughter's attempted kidnappers

A man in Florida prevented a group of teenagers from carrying out a plot to rob the family and kidnap their daughter. The teens reportedly believed the family to be wealthy, and were attempting to break in through the garage when he fired 3 shots, which scared the intruders off scurrying.

“A short time later her father heard his dogs barking and saw his front motion-activated flood lights come on,” the statement continued. “He also heard what sounded like his car door closing and went to get his gun.”

He saw some people trying to force their way into his garage and fired three shots, sending the would-be intruders scurrying into the woods, police said.

www.foxnews.com...

Great news, looks like another tragedy averted thanks to an armed Citizen.

a reply to: JBurns

Should of let them get in the door before he fire the shots.

a reply to: JBurns

Good thing those teenagers didn't have guns or that may have gotten ugly.....

You don't always need to shoot someone with a gun to be effective. I doubt if those teenagers will be back. Never know though, they may drive by in a stolen car and pepper his house with bullets. That would be dumb on the part of the intruders though, they will possibly get caught if they do that.

a reply to: rickymouse

I do believe they were apprehended following the incident. They were able to discover their criminal plot, which was to rob the house and kidnap the daughter (presumably for ransom). Terrible thing to do to someone's family, just some criminal thugs looking to make a quick buck obviously.

a reply to: hopenotfeariswhatweneed

Probably, but he clearly had the initiative which is a considerable advantage in a gunfight. It is also likely they would've been armed with handguns (for ease of concealment before and after the robbery - and because they probably didn't know any better). There is a good chance the owner retrieved a long gun, which would give him another clear advantage - in terms of power, accuracy and capacity. The potential for armed intruders does highlight the need for some good quality armor. Whether you get III/IV plates or soft armor, it can save your life in a home invasion or even in a street encounter.

What isn't clear is whether he simply missed or intentionally fired warning shots. Firing warning shots is never a good idea, because you are still deploying lethal force but in a situation where your actions indicate is not a potentially deadly attack.

Either way, a guy with a gun stopped a robbery/kidnapping/possibly murder without even firing a shot. That part is impressive.

This is exactly the reason people in Congress need to leave the 2nd alone and let people defend themselves. Senators like Feinstein don't have to worry about protecting themselves because 'We the People' pay for her armed security.

This is the same thing with health care. One rule for Congress and the rest of us be damned.

a reply to: hopenotfeariswhatweneed
Yep. Let's sell the some. Let's hand them out like candy so all the teenage punks can have them too. Yippie ky aaa.

a reply to: JBurns

please be internally consistent

originally posted by: Macenroe82
a reply to: JBurns

Should of let them get in the door before he fire the shots.

Seeing as it's a few teenage kids being stupid as hell, I think the better outcome is warning shots rather than 3 dead teens.

Then again, if they are known thugs? I would agree 1000% with you.

Yay Fox News!!!
Telling people that believe what they broadcast is good wholesome America!
Good upstanding citizens not like hollyweird folk.
(Bill o'Reily was framed...several times)
Guns and the shooting of them is the siren song of liberty.

I've known people who live in rural areas who do this. It's not broadcast news stuff.

Elevating and celebrating gunplay is.

There are a lot of people who don't have the intelligence to figure out the Vietnamese kid dressed like Elvis on the porch around Halloween isn't there to kill you and BOOM!!! One less kid, no conviction cuz.

a reply to: JBurns

There are hundreds of stories like these. For any anti gun... People out there, this is why we fight to hold on to our rights. If that father had not been armed it would have been worse. Who knows what they were going to do with her... It would be a much different story had they broke into one of your houses.

a reply to: the owlbear

Would have been a different story had ot been your house. Would you have called the cops?... Response time is about nine minutes under 911 conditions. Meaning they would have had nine minutes to get in and get out. You would have done what? Would you have tried to fend them off? Would you have tried to defend your daughter? Or would you have stood by and watched? Honest questions.

originally posted by: the owlbear
Yay Fox News!!!
Telling people that believe what they broadcast is good wholesome America!
Good upstanding citizens not like hollyweird folk.
(Bill o'Reily was framed...several times)
Guns and the shooting of them is the siren song of liberty.

I've known people who live in rural areas who do this. It's not broadcast news stuff.

Elevating and celebrating gunplay is.

There are a lot of people who don't have the intelligence to figure out the Vietnamese kid dressed like Elvis on the porch around Halloween isn't there to kill you and BOOM!!! One less kid, no conviction cuz.

If and when something like this happens to you by all means pull out your cell phone and take a few pictures and call your local 911/police department .... They are probably only 15 or 20 minutes away.. If it happens get back to us and let us know how things worked out..

No one was killed and a crime was averted.. Happy ending all the way around IMO.

a reply to: JBurns

This sort of event is all too frequently ignored by the press.

Some people would suggest that this is some plot to lessen or cheapen the second amendment, by under reporting successful and appropriate use of ones right to protect oneself, ones family and home.

I look at it a different way. I believe that when things go as they should, there simply is no story. Its when things go entirely wrong that news is made. Things being just fine, things working out well, people doing what they should be doing simply is not news, has no bite, has no pull for editors or journalists, unless they have specific interests in the issues presented.

I am willing to bet that this story's being published, has more to do with the fact that the second amendment is under heavy scrutiny at the moment, than it does to do with this specific incident being rare, strange, odd, or in some way statistically interesting, or anomalous in some regard, because I believe that this is NOT in any way unusual, in so far as it features appropriate application of force, by an armed homeowner.

Not a rare event, just rarely reported, because things going the way they should, just is not that interesting.

originally posted by: TrueBrit
a reply to: JBurns

This sort of event is all too frequently ignored by the press.

Some people would suggest that this is some plot to lessen or cheapen the second amendment, by under reporting successful and appropriate use of ones right to protect oneself, ones family and home.

I look at it a different way. I believe that when things go as they should, there simply is no story. Its when things go entirely wrong that news is made. Things being just fine, things working out well, people doing what they should be doing simply is not news, has no bite, has no pull for editors or journalists, unless they have specific interests in the issues presented.

I am willing to bet that this story's being published, has more to do with the fact that the second amendment is under heavy scrutiny at the moment, than it does to do with this specific incident being rare, strange, odd, or in some way statistically interesting, or anomalous in some regard, because I believe that this is NOT in any way unusual, in so far as it features appropriate application of force, by an armed homeowner.

Not a rare event, just rarely reported, because things going the way they should, just is not that interesting.

I'm kind of impressed by your comment... if I am reading it correctly. (Barely finished my morning coffee). The news doesn't profit off of good stories. Sex, drugs, crime sells in the news networks...... doom and gloom. News networks are the ultimate doom porn factories.

I agree with you though. There are plenty of good deeds going on with guns, it's just not reported. It doesn't fit an agenda.

Btw, aren't you anti gun? Lol

a reply to: GraffikPleasure

Btw, aren't you anti gun? Lol

No GraffikPleasure, nor am I against the second amendment.

I, personally, favour sharp steel over fast lead, and would not have a gun if I was legally permitted to do so. However, I entirely agree with the right to be armed for ones own defence, the defence of ones community, and to ensure the co-operation of government with the will of its people, by giving the people the tools necessary to protect themselves from tyrannical overreach by goverment.

originally posted by: TrueBrit
a reply to: GraffikPleasure

Btw, aren't you anti gun? Lol

No GraffikPleasure, nor am I against the second amendment.

I, personally, favour sharp steel over fast lead, and would not have a gun if I was legally permitted to do so. However, I entirely agree with the right to be armed for ones own defence, the defence of ones community, and to ensure the co-operation of government with the will of its people, by giving the people the tools necessary to protect themselves from tyrannical overreach by goverment.

Sorry, it's hard to comprehend sane people sometimes. You don't see them too often anymore.
Carry on!

a reply to: JBurns

Good dad and ready. It just took three shots.

I don't care about the age of the perps, if they're ready to kidnap people they're ready to take a bullet for the cause.