Recent example of needing to protect your family

[GON]

Just read this report from Buckeye, AZ Police Depart

Date of occurrence 18 JAN 2026

A reported intruder, currently identified as unknown to the occupants of the home, reportedly forced his way into a home with a mother and child present. An adult male in the house, reportedly retrieved a weapon, and shot the intruder after he forced entry into the home. Buckeye is a growing far western suburb of Phoenix, and is generally considered a safe suburb. Bad things happen all over, not just in "bad" areas.

Men have a distinct responsibility to protect their family; this is a relevant example.

**Intruder shot and killed by homeowner**
An intruder is dead after confronting an armed homeowner Sunday night in a neighborhood near Yuma Rd and 237th Ln.

Just before 9 p.m. on January 18, 2026, Buckeye police responded to a shots fired call on Desert Bloom St. When officers arrived, they located a man inside the home suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and three other individuals who were not injured. Emergency medical crews arrived to treat the injured man who ultimately died on scene.

Investigators learned a mother and her two adult children were at the home when they heard someone banging on their door. A woman answered the door, and the male intruder began to force his way into the home. A man in the home retrieved a handgun and went to the door just as the intruder broke through the security door and stepped inside. That is when the man fired at the intruder, striking him.

At this time, there is no indication the family knew the intruder, who is described as a man in his late 20s. Next of kin has not yet been notified.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I agree with your assesment. Still, don't open the door. Look out the window. If you don't know them ignore.

A woman answered the door, and the male intruder began to force his way into the home.

 

[GON]

I agree with your assesment. Still, don't open the door. Look out the window. If you don't know them ignore.

My wife won't answer the door ever. Her dad was a police officer for 38 years and he taught her very well.

Our front door is a late model design, yet copies the design of many entry doors in Germany. One can't open/ enter the front door from the outside without a key- there is no doorknob on our front door.

 

[Kira]

GON: Do you have a name of the style of German door to ease my Googling it?
Is it heavily mechanized or reinforced?

 

[GON]

GON: Do you have a name of the style of German door to ease my Googling it?
Is it heavily mechanized or reinforced?

Sorry I don't have the name of the door in memory.

Attached is a picture of the door- hard to see, it is all I have. But one can see no doorknob, and two keys required to open the door from the outside. Also, attached is a picture of the home's windows. All the windows big enough to crawl through are fixed windows and can't be opened. All the windows that can be opened are not large enough for even a skinny teenager to crawl through. I doubt a infant could crawl through the screened windows.

 

[Trashman]

Sounds like this story has a very happy ending. This is how all home invasions need to end.

 

[slo town]

Great job by the "man of the house", but in my state of Cali that would probably not end well for the man.

For example, my neighbor and friend had a certain flag displayed on his home. One afternoon someone walked up onto his porch, knocked on the door, and told him his flag was racist (which it's definitely not).

I asked a person close to me, a 20 year police veteran, what would happen if that happened to me and I shoved the person - who was standing at my doorway on my porch protesting my flag - and shoved them (not punched), landing them on their a**. He said 100% I would be charged with assault.

Maybe the best course of action when living in a state like Cali is to lure them inside to discuss the matter.

Scott

 

[Tom NJ]

Locked doors and fixed windows do not prevent entry, but they do slow it down and cause noise when defeating them. This serves to alert the occupants and allow time to retrieve a firearm for protection. Deadbolts and long screw security latch strike plates are helpful.

 

[supton]

Not sure why it has to be a man to do the job; I thought Samuel Colt made everyone who could pull a trigger equal. Also not sure why he didn't have it on his person if this is his job but I guess everyone has an off moment.

Regardless. A decent outcome to the situation, and not one I'd wish on anyone (the people who have to now deal with the legal system that is).

 

[GON]

Not sure why it has to be a man to do the job;

Men and woman are built differently.

My wife can't dispose of something like a dead mouse for all the tea in China. Yet she can counsel and comfort a grieving mother who lost a child to a random act of a violence, for years.

Of course, woman can and have pulled triggers in defense of someone or something. Vietnam might have the greatest MACRO example of this. And a man can counsel a grieving woman, surely happens every day. But neither of these MACRO example negates that men and women are built differently.

I work tirelessly at making sure my wife doesn't ever have to do the "dirty jobs".

 

[supton]

Men and woman are built differently.

My wife can't dispose of something like a dead mouse for all the tea in China. Yet she can counsel and comfort a grieving mother who lost a child to a random act of a violence, for years.

Of course, woman can and have pulled triggers in defense of someone or something. Vietnam might have the greatest MACRO example of this. And a man can counsel a grieving woman, surely happens every day. But neither of these MACRO example negates that men and women are built differently.

I work tirelessly at making sure my wife doesn't ever have to do the "dirty jobs".

Indeed. My wife just took a job at the hospital, I want to say lab tech? she doesn't run the tests, she just receives incoming fluids and tissues. And biopsies and limbs. I can't stand the sight of needles and look away whenever I give blood--she has to give herself a week shot. She can do cartwheels and handstands; three guesses as to if I could. Taught herself how to do drywall and doesn't miss a chance to chide me about framing her sewing room with 24" centering (non-load bearing walls, thought I could save a buck) and the issues that it's caused. She's apprenhsive about running a circular saw but otherwise could build a house.

Better person than me, certainly more hardy.

 

[RooflessVW]

Great job by the "man of the house", but in my state of Cali that would probably not end well for the man.

For example, my neighbor and friend had a certain flag displayed on his home. One afternoon someone walked up onto his porch, knocked on the door, and told him his flag was racist (which it's definitely not).

I asked a person close to me, a 20 year police veteran, what would happen if that happened to me and I shoved the person - who was standing at my doorway on my porch protesting my flag - and shoved them (not punched), landing them on their a**. He said 100% I would be charged with assault.

Maybe the best course of action when living in a state like Cali is to lure them inside to discuss the matter.

Scott

But... That would be assault?

 

[97prizm]

My wife won't answer the door ever. Her dad was a police officer for 38 years and he taught her very well.

Our front door is a late model design, yet copies the design of many entry doors in Germany. One can't open/ enter the front door from the outside without a key- there is no doorknob on our front door.

I saw a really cool video on YouTube recently on how to modify or install a deadbolt to where it's impossible to get your door breached. It was a little eye opening.

 

[GON]

I saw a really cool video on YouTube recently on how to modify or install a deadbolt to where it's impossible to get your door breached. It was a little eye opening.

I suspect on many newer frame construction homes, one can use a sledgehammer to open a crude entrance into the home with about a dozen proper blows, about two minutes. On the other hand, a small two room farmer's home built in the 1800s likely will be a lesson learned trying to open the home through an exterior wall- very challenging--- ask me how I know.

 

[Shannow]

In some places you can be charged for using bug spray to defend your property....

 

[ChrisD46]

I have a staggered line of defense for the home : 1) A well trained German Shepard with great situational awareness , a deep bark and lightening quick reflexes who WILL defend. 2) 12 gauge O/U with #1 Buck Shot 3) Glock 17 with Federal HST 124gr. rounds. I believe most encounters would end with just #1 above but if you take out my dog you will be imediately taken out yourself as I will be on you by that time .

 

[4wd]

Not sure why it has to be a man to do the job; I thought Samuel Colt made everyone who could pull a trigger equal. Also not sure why he didn't have it on his person if this is his job but I guess everyone has an off moment.

Regardless. A decent outcome to the situation, and not one I'd wish on anyone (the people who have to now deal with the legal system that is).

Yep, I live with my wife and adult daughter …
Three nightstands with three pistols.

 

[joekingcorvette]

Usable weapons in my house too. I was always told if you have to use the gun make sure you finish them off in order not to get sued by the intruder. That way there is only one side to the story. A history of being not having a police record would probably help a lot if it ever went to court. Many times the intruder has a long history of making poor decisions. I cannot stand a thief.

 

[supton]

Usable weapons in my house too. I was always told if you have to use the gun make sure you finish them off in order not to get sued by the intruder. That way there is only one side to the story.

Problem is, anything you say can be used against you in the court of law. Including this statement right here. Which is why one shoots to stop, not to kill.

 

[JimPghPA]

Years ago, I was attacked in front of my house. The spray I carried put him in the hospital, and there were warrants already out for his arrest. The attack on me and his verbal threats added to his jail time.

After I sprayed him I phoned the police and told them to send an ambulance because he needed one.

Shooting him would have been more legally complicated.

I found a stronger and quicker acting spray since then and that's what I carry now. It's called DPS X - Stream. Advertised as 15 to 17 ft. range but will reach further if theirs no wind and the can is not cold. With 6 small black rubber bands around the can and v indent on the bottom of the belt clip it comes with, it has never fell off my belt. But if I pull it off those rubber bands don't slow down the releasing from my belt at all. Amazon sell a 300 pack of the small 1/2 " black rubber bands with the Annie name under fine hair care products.

The 2 oz can of DPS X - STREAM that I edc comes with a good belt clip and you can rotate the can in the clip to make it right or left carry. Also, its so small and light that I never notice it throuout my day, and I have 2 of them clipped to my right on my belt. Btw, Amazon sells a nice ratcheting small increment adjustment black belt that works well with these cans and clips.

One can could easily disable 3 big men.

It's a combination of very hot pepper and tear-gas, so it blinds and takes away breathing so theres no more fight left in the perp.

One nice thing about it compared to guns, is if a kid ever gets it, the worst they could do is ruin someones day.

There's 3 really good yt video re DPS pepper spray being used. 2 of them are on a prison guard who volunteered to be sprayed, one demonstrates its range.

I can't link them, or I would.

I buy it directly from Defense Protection Spray so its fresh. They have a web site.

When they expire I use it to practice with.