I was almost involved in 2 shootings (part 2 of 2)

[Treo]

I'm such I high speed , low drag operator I even double tap my posts.

 

[Treo]

I was in a similar situation years ago. Variables Home = Apt FIL = bldg maint. 1911 = S&W model 915.

Any way Maint went to landlord, landlord called cops CSPD showed up at my door got my side and reminded me that I couldn't defend property under Colorado law. They then informed Bldg Maint that he was quite lucky to be alive , bid me good day and left.

Next day I came home from work Bldg Maint was in another apt with a GREAT BIG SIGN in the hall informing the tennant he was in the apt.

Tell FIL to knock himself out on that cop calling thing

 

[akodo]

Quote:
I call it a draw--50% culpability for each person in creating an unnecessarily dangerous situation.

Really? And how did you come to that conclusion?

I know how I came to the same conclusion... the OP should have had a shotgun!

 

[WC145]

It makes me wonder how many times he's been in your house when nobody was home.

As far as the father-in-law having a key is concerned, so what? He was not invited and did not have permission to enter the premises. I might very well have done the same thing in that situation.

 

[ScottG1911]

I had just gotten off the phone with my wife so I knew she was gone I had just let the cat (ok don’t get me started!)

hahahahaha

 

[george29]

DIL has control issues and your wife needs to decide where her loyalties are (did she give her dad a key but not tell you?). The minute family or friends threaten me un any way, they are no longer family / friend. Sounds to me like there is a tug-of-war from an emotional POV going on.

 

[MedWheeler]

I don't think you bear the responsibility of any of this beyond apparently having made him feel like this is okay behavior on his part (walking in and wandering in unnaounced).
Something similar happened to me when I was in law enforcement. Three other officers and I were dispatched around 11PM to a report of "a woman screaming" coming from a house in a quiet community. We were a small department, and I knew closely the other three officers, as well as the one still remaining on patrol. Upon arrival, we could also hear a woman sobbing inside, but no immediate sounds of ongoing violence. We quickly coordinated where we'd position ourselves, and I took a position watching the east and north sides of the house (which faced south.) Two were going to the door, and one other was watching the south and west exposures.
Suddenly, I caught sight of a figure moving toward me from the west, and lit it up with my StreamLight. It was the remaining officer on patrol, who had taken it on himself to also respond. He had not notified HQ of his arrival, and I was not aware he'd be anywhere in the area.
Later, after the call was resolved (forced entry, broke up a domestic), he asked to meet me and proceeded to try to chew me out for lighting him up in the dark like that. I countered with attacking his covert response, and reminding him that he was lucky he'd only faced my flashlight.

 

[rainbowbob]

When you heard someone in the house, you checked it out safely.

The OPs statement contradicts that:

I stepped around the corner sweeping the dining room as I rounded the corned I did have my finger on the trigger!

Furthermore, had he taken a defensive postition and shouted, "Who's there?!" - he would have heard his FIL answer. If it was a BG, he probably would have heard no reply and/or movement - in which case he could have then gone into full defensive mode. Some will argue that giving away his position by shouting might not be tactically sound - but it would have been better than exposing himself entirely as he did when he entered the dining room.

Frankly, the whole thing sounds like more like a personality/control conflict than anything else. I realize most here won't/don't agree with me - but it seems like an over-reaction considering the OP was expecting the FIL to return. Of course the FIL should have knocked, or shouted out his presence - but sweeping the dining room with your finger on the trigger?

 

[csmkersh]

Boy, is FCFC off the mark.

You don't enter anyone's home, even if you have a key, unannounced.

Change the locks and don't give anyone a key.


​

 

[fireflyfather]

I think the point several people here are missing is that the OP expected the FIL to return, BUT DID NOT EXPECT HIM TO ENTER THE HOUSE, MUCH LESS UNANNOUNCED. Finger on trigger was probably bad practice. Shouting is a tactical decision on which people seem to be split 50/50. In this case, I see no need. Only an a$$hat or an idiot would be in the home to begin with. In this case possibly both.

 

[lookn4varmints]

LOL..... Eric, I hope you realize that after you change the locks or seize his key, you'll next have to put up blackout curtains. After he realizes he can no longer get inside, he'll be running around outside, peeping through the windows "to see what you all are doing in there."

Yep, your FIL is a putz. I've seen his kind a million times.

FCFC, Please explain.

Powderman, you are forever barred from asking that question ever again.

 

[RNB65]

Change the locks and give a spare key to a trusted neighbor or friend. There's no reason for your FIL to have a key to your home.

 

[Eric F]

When you heard someone in the house, you checked it out safely.

Yeah great if time permits. by the time I heard the steps in the house and the time I had my FIL at the muzzle was seconds the distance was 5-6 feet past arm reach so say 9 feet max. I felt for the size of the house and the fact the doors were locked and no one else was suposed to be in the house there was no time. If I had shouted out and there was a BG in the house (which there was IMO) I would have had no time to draw if I were rushed. From my experience the day before time and distance is everything. NO ONE WAS TO BE IN THE HOUSE BUT ME! You can what if me and I can do the same thing right back. Bottom line I was not wrong by any means!

 

[The_Sheriff]

Why did he enter your house like that??? Just to be nosy or what????


LIBERALS hahaha

 

[Clint C]

I think some people need to remmember that his city may not be the same as yours. Meaning he has seen someone get their head blown off, I've never seen that around here and I bet many of you have never seen that in your town. Must be a rough place to live, in some parts anyway. So keep in mind everyplace does not have the same people living in it.

 

[Smithiac]

When I think I hear somone in my house me and my S&W 66 go through and clear every room. Might sound wierd but I have had some one drive a pickup truck all the way around my house. I have had people get out of a car and walk toward my house in the field. I have never had anyone inside my house. But the first time you take it for granted it very well could be your last.

I personally think that it is courtious to knock before entering a house even when you think everyone is gone. Having a spare key doesn't give someone the right just to come in whenever they please.

You did the right thing and it is probably what would have happened if I were in that situation.

Smithiac

 

[Eric F]

Must be a rough place to live, in some parts anyway

UM heay I just hears 3 shootings go out today and a guy in hampton shot a rober and killed him yesterday south east Va has turned into a shooting gallery where here lately there are more and more good guys shooting bad guys and more bad guys shooting bad guys. This place really sucks as far as shootings go and its getting worse this year by the week. I am serious too I hear at least 3 shootings a week go out on the radio. And I only work every other day!

 

[Mara]

Your father-in-law, if you will pardon me, is a twit.

I agree with John. For all you knew he was a burglar. I'd be changing the locks in short order.

 

[dralarms]

Eric, you did good. If he had come into my house and caught me off guard, I might have shot him. I have answered the door with my para 14.45 lda in hand only to find a cop standing there looking for someone else. LOL should have seen the look on his face.

I went to visit my brother many years ago, drove all night and to keep from disturbing anyone I flipped the seat back and decided to catch some sleep, in about 30 seconds he comes out the front door in his tighty whities and a great big 45.

 

[Odd Job]

Can't fault what Eric F did.
No need to change locks: I guarantee that the father in law will knock loudly, next time he wants to collect something

 

[rainbowbob]

...the fact the doors were locked and no one else was supposed to be in the house there was no time. If I had shouted out and there was a BG in the house (which there was IMO) I would have had no time to draw if I were rushed.

If the doors were locked and you didn't hear anyone breaking in - then the only logical conclusion would be that someone with a key (e.g., your FIL) that you were expecting to drop by (e.g., your FIL) was probably in the house. The fact that you consider him to be a bad guy is the most telling factor in this incident.

You don't like him. You don't like that your wife gave him a key. You don't like him dropping by. Those are issues you should deal with directly. Sweeping him with a gun with your finger on the trigger - when you could have guessed it was probably him in your house - doesn't strike me as the best way to address those issues.

Furthermore....If there WAS a bad guy in your house (other than your FIL) - you could have already had your weapon in hand, safety off, finger indexed, behind available cover, ready to go - BEFORE you shouted out.

I recognize I am second-guessing an incident that I was not involved in - but I think you (and I) should expect second-guessing when we post about incidents in which we are involved. I have received feed-back (including criticism) on my actions in situations I have posted about - that is why I posted in the first place. I am interested in hearing about what (if anything) I did right - what I did wrong - and what I could have/should have done differently. I'm here to learn from my fellow High Roaders. I'm not looking for cheer-leaders. I had assumed you weren't either.

 

[Cosmoline]

Take his key away or change the locks. Your house is not secure if people are able to come and go as they please.

If the doors were locked and you didn't hear anyone breaking in - then the only logical conclusion would be that someone with a key

Are you suggesting it's not possible for someone to break in without making noise? Or that the OP would be able to hear any such noise? You are assuming way too much.

If it was a BG, he probably would have heard no reply and/or movement - in which case he could have then gone into full defensive mode.

And in which case the intruder would know his location. That's no information you want to give up without a fight.

 

[Kalashnikov]

Judging by this situation you're were 100% in the right. My house has an open door policy for family (to include those not joined by blood) at any time of day. However that doesn't mean many of my brothers and sisters haven't starred down the business end of my shotgun. letting me know who you are adn that you are comming BEFORE you arrive is far better etiquette than after-the-fact.

 

[Eric F]

Aparently some of you folks just dont get it!the FIL was comming over to get bicycles and some BBQ dishes and such. All of which were in the car port in the drive way. He was not coming over to come inside. He was simply suposed to get the stuff in the drive way. I was in the kitchen doing dished with the radio on. It was not so loud as to where I would not hear the door bell or a knock on the door. Yes I was expecting him to come to the drive way. No I was not expecting him to use the key to come in the house or any one else for that matter.

The reason he had a key was incase some one locked themselves out of the house. He was a key holder. He had never before come over and just walked in a locked door. He has come over and entered unlocked doors.

The fact that you consider him to be a bad guy is the most telling factor in this incident.

That was more or less for entertainment factor. I dont like everything he does but all in all he is ok. The unwanted house entry is what makes him a bad guy.

In the end my wife now has all the house keys from her family. we are getting a new back door soon with a keyless entry so no one will need a key after tuesday. That problem is now solved.

 

[FCFC]

He has had a key for 8 years this is the first time he has used it to come in the house while we were home. He has just walked in the house a few times because a door was left unlocked.

by the time I heard the steps in the house and the time I had my FIL at the muzzle was seconds the distance was 5-6 feet past arm reach so say 9 feet max. I felt for the size of the house and the fact the doors were locked and no one else was suposed to be in the house there was no time. If I had shouted out and there was a BG in the house (which there was IMO) I would have had no time to draw if I were rushed. From my experience the day before time and distance is everything. NO ONE WAS TO BE IN THE HOUSE BUT ME!

Yes I was expecting him to come to the drive way. No I was not expecting him to use the key to come in the house or any one else for that matter.

Bottom line I was not wrong by any means!

"If you only have a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail."

--A. Maslow--