Some Choose To Be Their Own First Responder, Others are Forced

​Some of us choose the responsibility of being our own first responder.  For others, that choice is forced upon them.
 
Such was the case for 73 year old Curtis Roys, and his fiancé 65 year old Melody Lumpkin, when they were attacked on April 11, 2020, at their home in Fredericksburg, Texas.
 
According to reports, the couple was asleep in their home, when Roys awoke to the sound of banging noises outside.  When Roys rose to investigate the source of the racket, he discovered a young male at the back patio.
 
Officials said that Roys confronted 19-year-old Cleto Neri Solorzano, who then forced his way into the home through the patio door and attacked Roys with a blunt object.  He then reportedly placed Roys into a chokehold, causing Roys to go unconsciousness.
 
During the melee, Roys’ fiancé, 65-year old Melody Lumpkin, allegedly begged Solorzano to stop the attack, but to no avail.  Retrieving a handgun from the bedroom and fired a warning shot at the assailant, but the attack continued.
 
Seeing Roys’ body appearing lifeless on the floor, Lumpkin fired another shot, this time striking the assailant in the head.  Officials said that once Roys regained consciousness, the couple called 911.
 
A man’s home may be his castle, but even the most fortified castles come under attack.  Here are a few lessons we can all learn when it comes to effectuating our own self-protection:

1.  The Freaks Come Out at Night.  Criminals like to attack at night because of the advantage the darkness affords them.  Your goal should be to deprive them of that advantage.  Although not directly on point here, many victims wake up in the dark with the intruder already in the home.  Are you capable of operating in low-light conditions?  Have you trained for it?  Whatever skills you can do with your firearm during the day, you should be able to do at night.  Make sure the first time you fire in low-light conditions is at the range, not in your home in a defensive encounter.  Now is the time to prepare.
 
2.  Keep your weapons secure, but at the ready where you can quickly access them.  Ms. Lumpkin was lucky that she had a chance to retrieve the firearm after confronting the assailant.  If you find yourself in similar situation, you might not be so lucky.  If you choose to have a gun for your protection, then have a gun for your protection.  Train with it, get comfortable with it, have handy if you need to get to it.
 
3.  No warning shots.  The fact that Ms. Lumpkin fired a warning shot at the intruder is a testimony to both her kind heart and her lack of training.  If you find yourself in imminent fear for your life, and are legally and morally justified in taking a shot, then take the shot.  Depending on the circumstances, warning shots serve only to put you and others in danger.  You are accountable for every round that leaves the gun.  If you are justified in taking the shot, make sure you place those rounds where they will neutralize the threat, not endanger others.
 
As you can see, it comes down to proper training and mindset.  Now is the time to prepare.  Now is the time.

Stay sharp, friends.
 

Image by Republica from Pixabay