comments as stupid as this give Free Republic a bad reputation, These were kids. The dad acted like a moron.
Trayvon Martin was a kid.
Comments as stupid as yldstrk just posted give humanity a bad reputation.
If my dog is barking at 2:30 AM because he senses an intruder, and I get my gun and search MY HOUSE, where upon some one bursts out of a closet, IT IS MY OBLIGATION TO SHOOT THE INTRUDER.
If you think differently, stay the hell out of my house, and if you come in at 2:30 AM you will be dead by 2:31 AM.
The father did not act like a moron. He acted like a responsible father protecting his home and family.
The dog indicated where the young man had concealed himself. It was 2:30 in the morning when nobody, to the homeowner’s knowledge, was supposed to be visiting the home. He announced his presence, announced that he was armed and directed the young man to present himself and identify himself. The young man refused the opportunity to safely end the situation when HE chose to run at the armed homeowner in a darkened room.
The daughter did not speak up to end the potential danger. The young man did not speak up when specifically given the opportunity. The homeowner, in a darkened room, had an adult sized male figure run at him after being warned to identify himself and present himself safely.
I dare say any reasonable man under those facts and circumstances would have been inclined to do the same thing. I’m a former police officer and a former federal investigator. Under those same facts and circumstances I would have fired on the young man as well. The father here was not being a hot head nor was he acting foolishly.