The Latest in Armed Self-Defense News

By: Friedrich Seiltgen

Copyright © 2022

Here’s some of the latest news in Armed Self-Defense:

Pensacola, Florida

A Florida homeowner defended himself against three invaders with a Semi-Automatic AK-47.  On July 7^th, just before midnight, three home invaders, one of whom was armed with a pistol, were seen on the homeowner’s doorbell camera as they forced their way inside.  The victim was armed with a handgun, which one of the intruders knocked out of his hand, giving the intruders a second firearm.  The homeowner retreated to the back bedroom of the house and retrieved an AK-47S.  He started to fire on the home invaders.  The suspects retreated while taking fire from the homeowner.

One of the intruders, Da’Torrance Hackworth, was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and robbery/home invasion with a firearm.  Escambia County Deputies are still searching for Hackworth’s accomplices Antonio Dean and Joseph Sanders.

When asked about possible charges for the homeowner, Escambia County Sheriff, Chip Simmons, stated, “Absolutely Not!  The homeowner is protecting himself and in Florida, in Escambia County, you can protect yourself.”

Jonesboro, Georgia

A veteran of the war in Afghanistan got into a gun battle with armed burglars in Clayton County, Georgia.  On July 13^th, the homeowner witnessed a man running through his front yard to meet two other suspects who were walking along the street in front of his house.  One of the suspects, armed with a handgun, ran up the homeowner’s driveway and ducked down beside his BMW.

Homeowner, Whitfield Smith, stated, “My first thought was to protect my house and protect my property.  I just wanted to get the intruders away.”  Smith got the intruders away as he exited his home wearing pajama pants and flip flops, armed with his AR-15, and confronted the men.  That’s when a gunfight erupted.  Smith is seen on video exchanging fire with the suspects.    During the gun battle, one of the suspects used the truck as cover and began firing. Smith was not injured, but his BMW was caught in the crossfire and was struck by about 20 rounds!

Smith was forced to retreat, as he had no cover and is seen kicking off his flip flops while backing toward his front door.  When Smith went back outside, the thieves had fled. One of the suspects managed to burglarize Smith’s truck, stealing a handgun. Smith stated that he didn’t have time to be afraid, only time to act.  “I don’t want to die at home.  I survived Afghanistan and everywhere else.  To die at home? In my own yard, no”

That’s all for now folks!   Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas.  And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There”

Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department.   He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism, Firearms and Active Shooter Response.  His writing has appeared in RECOIL, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.  Contact him at [email protected]