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Crime

‘My Wife Is a Hero’: Georgia Mother Shoots Home Intruder Five Times After Being Cornered in Attic

Jan. 5, 2013 4:27pm Erica Ritz

A Georgia mother and her two young children are unharmed after a man broke into their house with a crowbar on Friday, cornering them in an attic crawlspace.

According to WSB-TV, the woman was at home with her nine-year-old twins when the doorbell rang. When they didn’t answer, the man reportedly went back to his car and returned with a crowbar.

Georgia Woman Hiding in Attic With Children Shoots Home Intruder Five Times

(Photo via WSB-TV)

The mother said she could see the suspect– now identified as Paul Slater– trying to enter the house with the crowbar from her office window. Without hesitation, she grabbed her children, her phone, her gun, and ran upstairs.

One can only imagine the breathless moments after the man broke down the door and began searching the house.

WSB-TV continues:

Paul Slater (Photo: WSB-TV)

But the man eventually found the family.

“The perpetrator opens that door. Of course, at that time he’s staring at her, her two children and a .38 revolver,” [Walton County Sheriff Joe Chapman] told Channel 2’s Kerry Kavanaugh.

The woman then shot him five times, but he survived, Chapman said. He said the woman ran out of bullets but threatened to shoot the intruder if he moved.

“She’s standing over him, and she realizes she’s fired all six rounds. And the guy’s telling her to quit shooting,” Chapman said.

The woman ran to a neighbor’s home with her children. The intruder attempted to flee in his car but crashed into a wooded area and collapsed in a nearby driveway, Chapman said. [Emphasis added]

Slater– who was taken to the hospital with punctured lungs, a punctured liver, and a punctured stomach– has reportedly been arrested six times since 2008.

Donnie Herman weighs in on his wife’s actions. (Photo: WSB-TV)

WSB-TV continues:

“My wife is a hero. She protected her kids. She did what she was supposed to do as a responsible, prepared gun owner,” [the woman's husband] Donnie Herman said.

He said he’s thankful for his family’s safety.

“Her life is saved, and her kids’ life is saved, and that’s all I’d like to say,” Herman said.

Commenters have overwhelmingly agreed with the husband thus far– one Savannah Morning News reader even posting a similar story illustrating the importance of the woman’s firearm.

In the other report, after an unarmed woman’s home was robbed, she was the one who ended up in the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.

Watch WSB-TV’s entire report, below:

(H/T: Pat Dollard)

–

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (621)

hereandnow
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:00pm
According to the proggressives handbook, she should have grabbed her crowbar.

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- hereandnow
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:09pm
  …presuming that her’s was registered and no longer than the legal 2 lb and 9″ length restrictions.
  
  Report this comment
- MisterSarcastic
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:25pm
  Actually, according to the gun control nuts she should have shot her kids and then removed her clothing so the perp wouldn’t have to bother with ripping them off.
  
  Report this comment
- Walkabout
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:46pm
  I have a problem with this woman retreating to the attic & waiting.
  
  Does the attic have an exit?
  
  She should not have had to retreat. She should have stayed on the 1st floor & just shot him once he was inside.
  
  The criminal could have reasoned, “If I am Identified, then I am going to jail. Therefore I will get rid of the witnesses”. Maybe he could have set fire to the house & trapped her & her kids to burn in the attic. Retreating at all costs is for fools & liberals.
  
  Call 911? What if the criminals don’t have to cur phone lines but can jam cellphones?
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 8:59pm
  Walk
  While I concur, that point is argued in many states by many a vulture/lawyer: did you retreat as far as you could have, could you have exited the residence, did you expend all viable options before shooting, did you have to shoot my poor defenseless client blah blah legalese bs. Attorneys are a large reason for where we are now as a people. Should be a hunting season, two per day either sex, maybe after tax day on Apr 15 until Sinco De Mayo. Just saying.
  
  Report this comment
- SLAPTHELEFT
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 8:57am
  All those arguments are moot when you live in a red state that has a castle doctrine law.
  
  Start voting like your life depends on it.
  
  Report this comment
jhrusky
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:59pm
@ satotbs

I agree. The very unproportionate black violence that occurs in this country is uncalled for and inappropriate.

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- Southernsoul
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:11pm
  This sould be on FOX News as top story for a month every 15 minutes.
  
  Report this comment
- Frederick_Douglass_Republican
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 11:36pm
  Fox will give it only enough coverage to say they did. .
  
  Report this comment
- GringoBushPilot
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 11:28am
  So “white” violence is OK? I think your colours are showing.
  
  Report this comment
- johngarrett911
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 10:24am
  Actually your color is showing. Liberalism isn’t about equality, its about privilege for the few at the expense of the many.
  
  Report this comment
Dkoonz
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:59pm
Wish she had a 44 mag. Don’t think this pice of crap would of got up. Good job my dear.

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- dissentnow
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:21pm
  Or a short barrel shotgun with a bayonet ( Although you probably wont need the bayonet because the perp will be long dead by the time you run out of ammo ).
  
  Report this comment
- WarMunger_Al
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 6:44pm
  .44 mag is a bit to much bang for a lot of women. A shot gun would be best, but the very best gun is the one she had readily available. She did a good job.
  
  Report this comment
- Elena2010
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 7:13pm
  Or .45 ACP. Little entrance, big “out-trance,” just clean up the mess.
  
  Report this comment
- HolyCannoli
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 7:18pm
  Local reports were saying they were picking his teeth up from the back of the room….Lady could shoot! Bravo!
  
  Report this comment
- DAS_MOOCH
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 12:31am
  Yea, the mess is always my big concern when having to shoot intruder in my house.
  
  KEATON you’re an idiot, that data is from 2011 and if there were 27 killings today by a gun they were prob all in Chicago. Plus who can take that Brit BS seriously. Please dude,
  
  Report this comment
- dnewton
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 3:54pm
  Bigger mess to clean up though. I have a friend who’s wife fired once through the edge of a window at a peeping tom with a 44. It took a carpenter, glazier, sheet rock guy, brick mason and painter to put the house back together. He took the 44 away from her and gave her a shotgun after that.
  
  Report this comment
jessieH
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:59pm
THAT’S how it’s done! Bravo.

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- chips1
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 6:04pm
  She made a dent in Obama’s army. OUTSTANDING!!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Mil-Dot
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:22am
  Can you just imagine, given how out of control the perp’s demographic is now, even with everybody armed, how emboldened they would be if they knew that the snowman wasn’t packing? That is why the majority of them want whitey’s guns. So they can get at us easier. That is it in a nutshell.
  
  Report this comment
LastAmerican
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:58pm
I wonder if when she raised up the .38, she thought “this is too small”. Hey husband, go get her a 45. Or better yet a Taurus judge. Anyways that’s why normal people should be armed. Way to protect your family lady!

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- THX-1138
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:23pm
  A .38 can kill anyone with a single shot. Period. A bigger gun won’t make you a better shot (and if you’re petite it may make it worse). Practice is absolutely essential. And, for the average housewife, I’m guessing, it was a VERY good thing to have a weapon that only needed to be pointed and fired; no safety to remember, no need to rack a round, just point and click.
  
  There are reasons why so many of us still carry these relics…
  
  Report this comment
- RaydocX
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:41pm
  I agree, the .38 is sufficient without the recoil of larger rounds, but I suspect she was loading just the tandrd rounds you fire at the range, instead of a host of hollow point or home defense rounds.
  
  The .38 and the 9mm have undeserved reps as being under powered when too often they are just loaded wrong. Speer gold dot, Winchester sxt, Remington PDF just off the top of my head.
  
  Report this comment
- Marklins
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 6:08pm
  Any round including a 22lr will kill with proper shot placement, I personally prefer the magazine capacity of my glock 17, and because I carry it chambered all I have to do is pull a five pound trigger. And before all of the gun elitists come on to tell me that it’s not safe to carry that way, or that I need a 40 or 45, save it. I carry 9mm glock because it works, and because I always carry, unlike those that say they carry a 1911, but in reality it resides comfortably at home.
  
  Report this comment
- Skeeterhawk
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 6:13pm
  The 38 is ideal for a smaller user. Equipping it with a laser site is also a great idea because many people will be in panic mode and may not have a steady aim. When the red dot is on a criminal’s chest they somehow become more polite.
  
  Report this comment
- BetterNTexas
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 7:11pm
  Women should try out different guns and shoot the one that is the most comfortable for them. A .45 is overwhelming for some women, but a 9mm may fit the bill just fine. Or the .45 might be just fine but the grip is too big. I tell women that they want the gun they can easily and quickly turn off the safety and shoot without having to adjust their hand on the grip. If the grip is too big for their hands, they aren’t going to be able to do that very quickly at which point the gun might as well be a prop. And if you’re having to slide the gun side to side in your hand because the grip is too big, your aim will be crap.
  
  And yes–hollow point ammo for home invaders. Wouldn’t want a through and through to accidentally hit the kids or a beloved pet.
  
  Report this comment
- FreeBeer
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 12:27am
  @BetterNTexas I agree but don’t assume a .45 is too much. As a matter of fact my wife prefers a 1911 to a 9mm. The weight of a full size 1911 and the grip makes it much more comfortable for her to fire. All she had to say about the Glock 17 was Yuk and “it hurts my hand”. It all comes down to personal preference. She carries a .380 and even though she likes others won’t give it up. As long as they like what they choose and can hit what they aim at, let them choose.
  
  Report this comment
LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:57pm
The pos perp got exactly what he deserved. If the extremist leftists had their way, the mother and her two children would be dead. I’m sure we’ll see some idiot liberal try and twist this story. Ban Guns? Do you moron liberals get it now? Of course not! Liberals are unable to see reality. Liberalism is a mental disorder.

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- Mil-Dot
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:33am
  Listen up ladies,
  A shot to the pelvis, that’s right, the family jewels or just off to the side will put ANY man down immediately. It shocks the nervous system and makes their legs not work. Then, you have more time to either get away or shoot them again. I first read of this in an article written by renowned self defense expert Masaad Ayoob years ago.
  
  Report this comment
HumbleCitizen
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:57pm
Honest to goodness ads by the Brady champaign.
Rape only lasts 30 seconds
https://www.teapartycommunity.com/photo/46714/brady-rape-poster/

if the picture won’tload you may have to go to the Bradychampaign website itself or join the tea party community.

Therre’s another one that states rape isn’t a death penalty sentence.
Talk about a war on women.

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- RaydocX
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:46pm
  The mainstream (read Left) attitude toward rape has tried to eliminate the sexual aspect, citing it is ‘a crime of violence against women’ and emphasizing the control aspect.
  
  While true, it involves sex in a terrible way, and can leave women unable to have children not to mention the psychological impact on the victim and her partner.
  
  In short, the Brady campaign raises a good point: in clear predator cases (accepting that some cases aren’t clear cut, right Kobe?) why isn’t rape a death penalty crime?
  
  Report this comment
- spirited
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 6:39pm
  Marriage counts (as well) in some places.
  
  Report this comment
- Elena2010
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 7:21pm
  In the Bible, rape is a capital crime. It’s murder, only the victim is left to live out his/her life sentence. I have counseled men and women who were victims of rape and most of them say they feel as if they had been murdered.
  
  No amount of counseling can ever bring the rape victim back to 100 percent of the person they were before the attack.
  
  Report this comment
dissentnow
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:56pm
It sucks that he lived, as fewer thugs on the street means less crime, but she did well. Next time ( i really hope that there isn’t a next time ) aim a little higher and go for the “kill shot”.
I wonder if Piers Morgan will talk about this case?………….don’t hold your breath.

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- Shamrock241
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:49pm
  I hope she will add Hollow Points to her shopping list so there are only funeral cost and not large medical bills to the tax payers next time if there is,but that said she is a Hero and i hope she is not traumatize by this event.
  
  Report this comment
jhrusky
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:56pm
Isn’t that the long lost son of Obama in the pic?

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- WildschweinJager
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:15pm
  If he had one, it would look like him. Trayon all growed up!
  
  Report this comment
vtxphantom
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:54pm
She might need some range time for her accuracy. Kudos to her for using her brain as well as her gun. Why was this slimeball still on the streets? Let me guess, liberal courts!

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- Darla_K
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:31am
  Yes, liberal courts and they will probably let the poor guy go again. After all, the bad oss lady shot him. How dare she. Good job lady. I want you on my side. :)
  
  Report this comment
- tajloc
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:19am
  She doesn’t need range time she was accurate. She doesn’t need a bigger weapon. She was in panic hide mode. She did not want the confrontation. She grabbed all the right stuff.
  Do you think she needed a 7 pound AR or her babies? She grabbed her things and ran. I am really proud of her. Why didn’t he die? I don’t know but maybe God is protecting her even now and her babies. They won’t have to live with a death.
  Good point about the phone. Even if she had slipped out the back door he may have pursued. She at least has a rabbit’s chances. Go to ground and call and wait. I need a tee shirt with a rabbit with teeth.
  No I will not be the millitia but I will be waiting.
  TEA
  Rom 8:28 READ IT
  
  Report this comment
LSL
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:53pm
The woman was obviously mentally unstable and a threat to society. Her husband should be charged with a crime for not locking the gun up to prevent her from having access to it. The second amendment does not give a get out of jail free card to people who shoot innocent crowbar salesmen.

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- bondroid
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:59pm
  LoL!
  
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- The_Hut_In_Co
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 7:10pm
  Me to!
  
  Report this comment
satotbs
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:52pm
Uncalled for and inappropriate any where and don’t claim misinterpretation!

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kat747
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:51pm
Mrs. Herman is a HERO.
Notice…she had her phone and her gun. The gun is what saved her and her children.
Now if any of your anti-gun types have a problem with this woman saving herself and her
children, I don’t want to hear it.

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- CatB
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:59pm
  Amen …
  
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willbedone
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:49pm
She’s a Racist! At least that is what Erick B Holder says.

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satotbs
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:47pm
Gun control at it’s best. Thank God the man may survive, and may God give this woman and her children the peace they need to deal with this. That said, heed this warning all you ner-do-wells, we are fed up and we are not going to take it anymore! P.S. Dianne F. we will not comply!

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- circleDwagons
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:35pm
  Thank God the man might survive? Do you think he will take advantage of another chance? I know anything is possible for God do we all should pray for him, i’m still praying for obama.
  
  Report this comment
- chips1
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 6:12pm
  Look at the bright side. He might be in extreme pain for awhile before he dies. Think positive.
  
  Report this comment
- Letthebulletsfly
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 6:49pm
  I agree with Mr Nugent on this one. I don’t like repeat offenders, I like dead offenders.
  
  Report this comment
- truthnstuff
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 10:23pm
  I will pray he doesn’t survive to terrorize and maybe kill other innocent women and maybe children. WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING.
  
  Report this comment
- satotbs
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:37am
  Circledwagons. What I meant by “thank God he survived” was for the sake of that brave Mother. For some time we have been considering getting my wife a handgun and proper training, however I wanted her to seriously think about the stark reality of having to live with actually KILLING another human being. I know in that in the moment of necessity a person should react exactly as the woman in Georgia did and did so most properly. It is the after the fear and adrenaline recedes that she nor her children need to think about a violent death from now on but only that a true tragedy was prevented. Perhaps this may also create a change for good in the intruder’s life; it is well to pray for all involved.
  
  Report this comment
OBummer the Great
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:47pm
What happens if she doesn’t have a gun? I think we know….raped women and possibly kids killed or abducted……..he already displayed to everyone he was going after the family. He passed up a lot of televisions and other electronics I’m sure….trying to find them. I wish she had a 9mm with more ammo….save us taxpayers some cash

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WildschweinJager
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:40pm
If she had an AR15 with a 20rd magazine, he would now be dead! Case closed!

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- civilwarcometh
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:50pm
  Since he survived they’ll let him sue over his injury’s. Can’t let white racist shoot black people.
  
  Report this comment
- BODYBAG
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:55pm
  And the world would be a better place with one less recitivistic criminal parasite.
  
  The Second Amendment IS my carry permit —- NRA Board Member Ted Nugent
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCHtw6WbbnM
  
  Report this comment
- CatB
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:04pm
  I would gladly donate to her defense fund if he does.
  
  Report this comment
- WildschweinJager
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:16pm
  @CATB
  
  You rock CATB!
  
  Report this comment
- chips1
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 6:22pm
  If he gets a lawyer, can we have his name and address? Thank you!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- barber2
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 7:40pm
  CIVIL: You are so right. She was only shooting him because he was black. Call Jesse. Call Al.
  
  Report this comment
PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:39pm
Arrested 6 times since 2008. Nothing stops these type of people. I fear for this whole country as this crumbling ungodly society breaks down. Let the 10 Commandments be posted on EVERY Corner and make sure people at least know how to Read and what they mean. If schools taught nothing else we would be in a much better place with FEWER LAWS AND LAWYERS AND COURTS AND JAILS.

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- CatB
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:00pm
  I agree .. they should NOW lock him up and throw away the key .. this is why we NEED three strike laws.
  
  Report this comment
- civilwarcometh
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:17pm
  How many strikes for murder? or armed robbery? Rape of a human of any age? Armed invasion of one’s property? I agree some crimes a far more worse than other’s but some deserve no second chance.
  
  Report this comment
Polarized America
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:39pm
.
……………………ya can’t rape a .38…………………/;-)

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- Lt_Scrounge
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 6:22pm
  You can, but only if you have a REALLY small johnson. LOL
  
  Report this comment
ZAP
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:39pm
She needed a 50 round clip, She ran out of bullets

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- SunTzuYou
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 5:09pm
  good one
  
  Report this comment
WildschweinJager
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:39pm
Too bad she didn’t kill him and save the state and feds some money. Now Obamacare costs, jail costs, court costs, jury cost, prison costs for the next 10 years, etc.

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- Watchingtheweasels
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:54am
  Yeah…and the fact that he survived and will now claim injuries will allow him to bring a civil suit against the family for damages. Folks, if you bring out your gun, finish the job.
  
  Report this comment
AVATARBABY
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:38pm
Here’s hoping this p.o.s. doesn’t survive his wounds just so the legal system can coddle the poor criminal and let him out in 4 years so he can use some liberal newspapers gun map to terrorize an unarmed household. Die a slow painful death loser.

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- circleDwagons
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:45pm
  They should have taken longer taken him to the hospital.
  
  Report this comment
- Blackw0lf
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 6:21pm
  you know in a Lib world he has a right to sue because the property wasn’t marked as having a gun and he didn’t know he was in danger!
  Just saying
  However if she would have had a 45 or a10 mm maybe that bigger round plus that extra 7th round may have made a difference or even a 9MM with a 15 round clip after all it takes a few rounds to get over that oh **** oh **** response to OK now I have to shoot the weapon or die.
  
  Report this comment
- spirited
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 6:43pm
  CIRCLEDWAGONS
  
  She shot him and saved him
  
  >What a woman!
  
  Report this comment
GoodCook
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:37pm
If Senator Fineswine had her way the mother and children would be dead and the perp would be treated as a misunderstood person who shouldn’t be condemned for his actiops. Exactly what we have come to see from the extremist Democrat Party.

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- Welcome Black Carter
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 11:46pm
  .357 would have had him room temperature right now. But, hey, she did alright 5 out of six, at least 4 center of mass shots… well done!
  
  Report this comment
civilwarcometh
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:37pm
Eric Holder is on his way now! One of his people of course. Who’da thunk. Shame he still breathing.

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FISH_BONE
Posted on January 5, 2013 at 4:37pm
After she ran out of bullets, she should have kicked him in the nads, twice.

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- jeceil
  Posted on January 5, 2013 at 7:08pm
  No…that’s why you keep a dog in the house. They tend to be quite aggressive when the ‘pack’ is in danger.
  
  Report this comment

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