An East Texas man is dead after police say he broke into a Canton home and was shot by the homeowner.
Erik J. Hicks, 51, of Grand Saline, was shot multiple times by a homeowner after he “unlawfully forced entry” into the home around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, according to the Canton Police Department.
Officers responded to a call of a shooting shortly after midnight Saturday where they found Hicks with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital and died a short time later, police said.
Police said after Hicks entered the home, he went into the living area and confronted the homeowner as he was armed with a handgun.
When the homeowner heard Hicks break into the home, he got his own handgun. Once Hicks was inside the home, the homeowner shot him multiple times, according to police.The homeowner has not been charged.
Grand Saline man fatally shot by homeowner after breaking into Canton home | Crime | tylerpaper.com
It sounds silly to say this, but after detecting danger, first go to gun, then establish defense and only after that, call 911.
We have been ingrained with the CALL 911 IN ANY EMERGENCY that we end up believing it is a magical spell to instantly summon help. That ain’t so, Sparky.
You are your own First Responder.
Hat Tip Gary E.
The YUGE number of cop shows on tv programmed people to call 911 no matter what. Thats why they call tv “programming”
If you can safely?
Get the police dispatch on 911. Put down the cell phone and use speaker mode. Land line? Dial 911, and drop it. Leave it off the hook. Try to make sure the dispatcher (and the voice recorders) hear you say STOP!, Get Out!, Go! Away! or something similar before (God Forbid) you shoot.
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A few Help! I am scared!, We are in danger!, etc., recorded by dispatch or your security system will help you if you do have to shoot. Do NOT Be STOIC. Scream like a little girl if that will help keep you or yours out of jail later.
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Your Job, for your family’s sake is to 1.) SURVIVE and 2.) STAY OUT OF PRISON.
VERY good advice.