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    Brave Homeowner Fights Off Alleged Home Invaders…then Alleged Accomplice “Released…Without Charges Being Filed”

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    An alleged home invasion turned into another example of how a good guy with a gun can stop a crime before the innocent are injured. This lesson in self-defense took place in Terre Haute, Indiana, where an alleged home invader was shot dead by a homeowner early in the morning on Sunday, the 22nd of January.

    Describing the situation and what they found when responding to the early morning call about the alleged home invasion and self-defense shooting, the Terre Haute Police Department said, in a Facebook post:

    Vigo County Central Dispatch received a 911 call around 5:30 am today from the 200 block of N. Fruitridge Ave. reporting that a homeowner had just shot and intruder in their home. They also said that a second person that was with the intruder had fled the area on foot.

    Multiple officers responded to the area, secured the scene and began an investigation. Officers located the second person that had been with the alleged intruder, hiding in a neighboring back yard and they were detained. The alleged intruder was determined to be deceased, at the scene.

    Detectives and Crime Scene Technicians responded to the scene and this is currently an active investigation. There is no danger to the community and no further information can be released at this time.



    The Terre Haute Police Department, posting again on Facebook about the incident the next day, January 23rd, identified the individual who allegedly broke into the home, saying:

    The man who was shot and killed during Sunday morning’s home invasion was 30 year old Michael Bell of Clay City. The person who was allegedly with Bell during the incident, was released Sunday without charges being filed at this time. No charges are being filed against the homeowner/victim. This is an ongoing investigation, more information will be released as the case allows.

    No charges were filed against the homeowner who fired the shots, which is good, but then the guy with the home invader that was shot was released without charges being filed? Yikes.

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    This self-defense shooting during an alleged home invasion follows a similar incident in Louisiana, where a mother was forced to defend her family when an intruder broke in. Describing that incident, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, said, in a Facebook post:

    The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office reports one subject is deceased following a home invasion at a Hammond residence, which occurred in the early morning hours of January 8, 2023.
    Chief Jimmy Travis says deputies responded to reports of shots fired at a residence on Klein Road shortly after 5:00 AM on Sunday. During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to determine the suspect, later identified as 51 year old Robert Rheams of Hammond, was armed with a shovel and a lug wrench when he forced entry into the home of the victim and her two young children.
    During the incident, a physical altercation took place between Rheams and the homeowner which ultimately led to Rheams being shot by the homeowner. Rheams was later pronounced deceased on scene by the Tangipahoa Parish Coroner’s Office.
    At the time of the incident, Rheams was out on parole after serving approximately 20 years in prison for armed robbery. Detectives have also been able to tie Rheams to a carjacking which occurred hours prior to the home invasion.
    Chief Travis adds that as of this time, no arrests were made in this investigation. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for further review.
    Chief Travis concludes by adding this case appears to be a homeowner exercising second amendment rights to protect herself and her children from a violent home invasion.