Neighbor shoots man in violent attack

[forgiven]

California law allows the use of deadly force to stop a felony.

Thanks.

[M. Sage]

What a position to put yourself in, i wonder if he had called the police the minute he heard them arguing. I think its great that he did intervene, he most definitely saved her life. But at what cost is it going to be to him for doing so. Or to any one of us put in that position. Morally i think your obligated to try and do something to protect someone from becoming a victim, but i would want to know that myself and my family would not feel any repercussions from the state. It could turn into a life changing event if your not careful, and im not talking about taking a bullet but being prosecuted for doing so. That would ruin your life and your families. That said the risk of being prosecuted is greatly out weighted by the fact that you saved some ones life that i could live with, even from behind bars.

I don't think there was any arguing. It sounds like the guy kicked the front door, found the woman and started pistol-whipping her.

As far as repercussions from the state or any lawsuit: depends on if you can look in the mirror afterward knowing you could have done something at the slight risk of lawsuit/overly-aggressive prosecution. Could you? I couldn't. I'd rather be taken to the cleaners and still be able to hold my head up high, thanks.

No one ever prices in cleanup, they do not just clean up those blood pools and misted walls for you free.

Any word on the caliber yet though? several body hits and not dead?

IIRC, 80% of people shot with handguns survive. I'd bet this was a handgun and not a rifle. As far as handguns, caliber makes very little difference. Shot placement and multiple shots are the only way to use a handgun.

makes one wonder if it's worth it to save a strangers life-then get prosecuted and sent to do time. Then get wounded up in the courts for a lawsuit for everything valuable that you own. ONLY in Wonderful sunny Kommifornia where criminals can thrive!

Considering I've run out my front door realizing that I may be killed or maimed by running into traffic to help someone... Jail? Lawsuit? Pff. At least I'd be able to sleep at night without seeing or hearing someone's final moments over and over.

I have a question, this neighbor heard screams and saw a man kick open a door.

He leaves his house and grabs his gun, isn't that illegal to walk out of your house with the gun (Did he have it concealed, did he have it loaded, open carry?) or this does not matter when saving a life? i can conceal it to go help a neighbor or walk out with it in plain sight?

Life or death emergency (or the reasonable appearance of one) = most of the normal rules go out the window. It's an emergency, one where shooting and possibly killing someone is justified. And you think you need to worry about how you carry a weapon, and whether it's loaded or not? In a word: no.

A few points.

Do not believe that deadly force is justifiable for any felony. It may still be on the books, but the courts changed that in the 60's. You or somebody else must be under danger of death or bodily harm.

About carrying a loaded weapon from your apartment to that of your neighbor: if it is what a prudent man would do, when rendering aid, then it is legal. If you hear a door being broken in, and screams for help, it sounds prudent to me.

No. Deadly force is justifiable to resist any forcible felony. Deadly force is legally appropriate to resist or defend someone against being pistol-whipped in their own home, certainly.

@Spiers: In that situation (guy has broken into your neighbor's home and is beating her with a handgun), it'd be completely reasonable to shoot the bastard in the side or even the back. You don't have to be the one in danger to use lethal force to stop the attack. I really can't see giving the guy a warning... I can't see not giving a warning being unreasonable in circumstances like this.

[N6ATF]

Reminds me of dirty harry-

Harry Callahan: Well, when an adult male is chasing a female with intent to commit rape, I shoot the bastard. That's my policy.
The Mayor: Intent? How did you establish that?
Harry Callahan: When a naked man is chasing a woman through an alley with a butcher's knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn't out collecting for the Red Cross!
[walks out of the room]
The Mayor: He's got a point.

LOL

[G-Man WC]

I hope the Ex gets whats coming to him.
But, "The neighbor returned fire with his own gun, hitting Doucet several times in the upper body."
What was the neighbor packing a Raven .25!