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Crime

Armed 86-Year-Old Woman Delivers One of the Best Interviews of the Year After Standing up to Burglar

Feb. 6, 2013 4:50pm

A burglar got more of a fight than she expected after a super tough 86-year-old would-be victim confronted her with a handgun. Though she was unable to hit the home intruder with the one shot she fired, the elderly woman engaged in a struggle with the burglar and refused to let go of her gun.

“I told different people, if I ever catch ‘em, I mean to kill ‘em,” Louise Howard told WCYB-TV. In other words, the burglar should be thankful she’s still alive.

The incident occurred on Friday afternoon and Howard was forced to defend her home and her life from a female burglar who broke the glass on her door with a wrench and forced her way into her Tennessee home.

“I was in shock. I didn’t know what she was going to do to me,” she said.

The elderly woman retrieved her gun but before she could get a clean shot off, the burglar approached her and the two started to wrestle down the hall.

“She moved her hands sort of released me a bit. I moved over like that, and I was going to shoot her in the stomach, but she took her knee and hit my elbow,” Howard recalled. The one shot she got off is still lodged inside her wall.

Armed 86 Year Old Woman Louise Howard Takes a Stand Against Burglar

(WCYB-TV)

Howard, a repeat crime victim, certainly defended her life and put up a good fight, however, the robber still made off with her purse, which contained two sets of keys, some rings, a bank card and a checkbook. Nothing else was taken.

Howard also told WYCB-TV she was more concerned for her cat than she was for herself, which is partly why she refused to back down.

“I guess I’d give my life that cat I love him so,” she said.

Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie Lawson said the woman did the right thing defending herself with her firearm.

“All indications [were] the intruder, the female, had a wrench. It was what she used to break the window of the door so she could’ve defended herself,” he said.

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.

Comments (96)

1 2
  • mrunner
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 9:33pm

    If I had a Grandma, she would look like Louise.

    Report this comment

    mrunner  
    • Sleazy Hippo
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 9:44pm

      God Bless the elderly, the weak, the feminine, and gays who all need to even the playing field with a little firepower. Shoot to Kill. Breathe out, squeeze the trigger, focus on mass. Fire away.

      Then, “Double Tap” if possible (the .38 special only does so much) …you need to finish the job up close. Just keep the job within 17 seconds. No trial. No Jury. Just like a Drone Strike, LOL.

      Remember the Skell is NOT a human. It needs to be stopped. By YOU. Simple.

      Report this comment

      Sleazy Hippo  
    • oneshiner
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 11:55pm

      God bless her.

      Report this comment

      oneshiner  
    • ExLawman
      Posted on February 7, 2013 at 12:48am

      Way to go! The MSM won’t carry this story.

      Report this comment

      ExLawman  
    • 000degrees
      Posted on February 7, 2013 at 7:38am

      Refuse to be a victim. Carry on, Semper Fi

      Report this comment

      000degrees  
    • zorro
      Posted on February 7, 2013 at 8:57am

      Really, Sleazy? The “gays?” Stop trying to pretend people are out there targeting gays. No one targets gays. If you’re an ******* who just happens to be gay, you’re going to get your a$$ kicked because you’re an *******, not because you’re gay. Stop spreading these lies to get sympathy for a group desperate for acceptance.

      Report this comment

      zorro  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 12:56pm

      If Obama had a grandmother she would look like Louise.

      Report this comment

      pavepaws  
  • Dkoonz
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 9:18pm

    Darn Granny i’m glad you are ok but i wish you would off got a clean shot at her. Good job anyway and way to stand up and not be a helpless victim.

    Report this comment

    Dkoonz  
  • Tom21773
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 8:14pm

    Aaaaahhhhkkk! BAN WRENCHES!!! Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot, we’re not banning the weapons the criminals use, only the weapons the honest citizens use to protect themselves and their property and their liberty.

    Report this comment

    Tom21773  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 8:03pm

    What race was the perp?

    Report this comment

    LeadNotFollow  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 8:00pm

    Don’t ever lay a hand on Granny or her Kitty Cat.
    Wish Granny had busted a cap into that stinking thief.

    Report this comment

    LeadNotFollow  
  • FightingBear
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:24pm

    If even one life is saved by an honest, God fearing citizen brandishing a weapon …..then our our Constitutional right to own the weapon of our choosing (that cannot be infringed upon) is worth it!

    I guess we have heard about at least a half dozen saved lives reported on this web-site alone in the last couple of weeks.

    The case is closed…the debate is over!

    Report this comment

    FightingBear  
    • jorskippy
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:40pm

      There are hundeds such events around this country daily. Police will tell you you need to have something to protect yourself because they cannot get to you fast enough to save your life. Crime will get much worse in the next few years due to high unemployment, decay in society (what is yours is mine mentality). Everyone needs to be preparred.

      Report this comment

      jorskippy  
    • spirited
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 8:02pm

      What an inspiration !

      >God (continue to) Bless her.

      Report this comment

      spirited  
  • Karama
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:12pm

    ‘If I Ever Catch ‘Em, I Mean to Kill ‘Em’ That’s the spirit granny! You get’em! :D She’s feisty.

    Report this comment

    Karama  
    • dealer@678
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:27pm

      Ashley Judd is running for office in Tennessee. If the skank wins she’ll try and take Grannys gun

      Report this comment

      dealer@678  
    • fourfreedom
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:27pm

      Here, here.

      Report this comment

      fourfreedom  
    • DIR
      Posted on February 7, 2013 at 2:35am

      Granny should be featured in a gun add, wearing her Dale Evens cowboy outfit with guns drawn and blazing and bullets ricocheting off Wango’s @ss.with a caption saying: “Hey you libs retards, make my day!”

      Report this comment

      DIR  
    • objectivetruth
      Posted on February 7, 2013 at 11:41am

      You got it right.
      @dir
      That was priceless funny and factual.

      Report this comment

      objectivetruth  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:10pm

    Trade the cat for a dog.

    Report this comment

    searching for the Truth  
    • Virginia Rebel
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 7:13pm

      Keep the cat. Add a dog. There are enough homeless cats in the world. You go, Louise! You are an inspiration.

      Report this comment

      Virginia Rebel  
    • objectivetruth
      Posted on February 7, 2013 at 11:46am

      I’m with virginia on this one.Get a dog too.Go granny go.For what its worth I’d kill for my cats too.Though I’d most definitely hate to do it .even the cat can be used as a weapon.If you don’t think a flying cat attaching four to six inch claws into someones face won’t slow them down enough for you to get another weapon, think again.

      Report this comment

      objectivetruth  
  • dnewton
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:59pm

    It sounds like this happened in Northeast Tennessee. No telling what would happen if it happened in New York. They charged Berdnard Goetz with reckless endangerment in the mid Eighties when he used five shots to neutralize four assailants / pan handlers. The missed shot was considered reckless. If Granny kills an assailant in her house while someone waits in the get-a-way car outside, the driver can be charged with murder. It is a weird law but it has happened a couple of times in the past decade or so.

    Report this comment

    dnewton  
  • Larry E
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:57pm

    Granny shouldn’t have let the intruder get that close to her if she had a choice or chance. Don’t fire one shot and expect a person to drop or stop their illegal activity. Shoot until the threat is no longer a threat or the gun is dry. One advantage of a shotgun with small buckshot (#2 or 4), it’s harder to miss, and more likely to make a definite impression.

    Report this comment

    Larry E  
    • LakeHartwellSailor
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:39pm

      Well, even though she only got off one shot, at least that deterred the perp and caused her to run…so the threat was no longer a threat.

      Personally, I subscribe to the double–tap…pause….double-tap, pause…repeat as necessary.

      Report this comment

      LakeHartwellSailor  
    • LakeHartwellSailor
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:45pm

      Incidently, I read somewhere that 90% of the time if you feel you need to draw your weapon, the threat will run…you wouldn’t even need to put your finger in the trigger. Anyone substantiate that with some references? I just read it in a Conceal and Carry book written by some ex-CIA guy. Not sure where he got that figure.

      Report this comment

      LakeHartwellSailor  
    • RRFlyer
      Posted on February 7, 2013 at 8:56am

      Please read the article before you criticize and tell us “What YOU would do” You would do nothing of the sort. I imagine you would be lying under the sheets saying, ‘go away, go away, go away’. The woman did all she could

      Report this comment

      RRFlyer  
  • publicas
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:40pm

    Justifiable homicide by citizen in one of our Fifty States has it real simple….

    Homicide is justifiable when committed by any person in any of the following cases:

    A. when committed in the necessary defense of his life, his family or his property, or in necessarily defending against any unlawful action directed against himself, his wife or family;

    B. when committed in the lawful defense of himself or of another and when there is a reasonable ground to believe a design exists to commit a felony or to do some great personal injury against such person or another, and there is imminent danger that the design will be accomplished; or

    C. when necessarily committed in attempting, by lawful ways and means, to apprehend any person for any felony committed in his presence, or in lawfully suppressing any riot, or in necessarily and lawfully keeping and preserving the peace.

    That’s it, real freakin simple. Can you name the State?

    Report this comment

    publicas  
    • dnewton
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:03pm

      Probably Texas or Florida. North Carolina allows a criminal to be shot on sight when they are declared an ”outlaw.” Every time I saw it done, it was used on bank robbers and every time, the robber came in a few days latter with an attorney.

      Report this comment

      dnewton  
    • merton42
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:26pm

      It is not North Carolina, you cannot use Deadly Force to protect Property. As the law was taught in my CCP class in North Carolina. But if you fear for your life or the life of others, empty the clip into the Perp.

      Report this comment

      merton42  
    • publicas
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 11:32pm

      Answer: New Mexico st 30-2-7. Open Carry is a daily sight in Wal Marts, Burger Kings, Denny’s, local family restaurants, most any business where booze isn’t served. I’m not talkin just six shooters, but modern pistols too. If it were not for the Democrats running Alburquerque into a welfare toilet, NM crime stats would be a lot better. Just Abq. crime stats Per 100,000 inhabitants, (Violent crimes total 898), (Murder 16.9), (Forcible rape 78.2), (Robbery 99.2), (Aggravated Assault 781) spikes up against the low low crime stats in the rest of the state. Abq. cops hassle Open Carry people every chance they get, it is easier hasseling a good citizen than showing the badge in the barrios. Think about it, even a cranked up meth head isn’t going to attack a man or woman using Open Carry, would you? If the Democrats and the rest of the phobic gun control sissies wanna really do something about crime, country wide Open Carry is the answer. Let the men and women of Chicago, Detroit, DC, start carrying weapons in the open. Even if a druggie attacks an armed citizen and the druggie gets killed-so what? Here we say an armed society is a polite society. It may seem simplistic, but simple works. I’ve been accosted twice while unarmed in Abq, after the second time- I started Openly Carrying after taking an NRA course and the macho tuffs make way when I want to enter a store. It’s a good feeling that the 300lb banger is gonna meet with .45acp 616 foot pounds of force!

      Report this comment

      publicas  
  • NWWADD
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:36pm

    She was within her RIGHT because the intruder had a wrench in her hand???? Are you kidding me. ANYONE….. I mean ANYONE comes into my house will get one warning. The warning are the walls of my home. If I feel in danger I will do what I need to do with or without a wrench in the intruders hand.

    Report this comment

    NWWADD  
  • WillG
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:32pm

    Do not mess with Granny’s cat! Mrs. Howard seems like a sweetheart of a little old lady.

    Report this comment

    WillG  
  • runwithscissors
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:21pm

    NO Description of the intruder, odd because this lady was certainly close enough to give one.

    Report this comment

    runwithscissors  
    • d_n
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:38pm

      What’s your point with her not giving the description? Had she won the battle we would’ve known who the intruder was because she would’ve ran to the hospital with a gunshot wound or be dead on her living room floor. She tried at least. Funny how the gun haters who talk about all those gun related deaths out there in America never bring the facts out about how many lives were saved some simply just by showing the gun in self defense. If a burglar comes in my home and I fear for my life I’ll shoot but I’m sure as heck not going to shoot them in the back if they see the gun and start running as this would be seen as shooting a defenseless person when they’re retreating. My lawyer seems to agree with me on this subject matter as well.Most police officers I’ve ran into at various times in America and got on the topics of guns would rather have law abiding citizens owning guns which in turn would make their jobs easier.

      Report this comment

      d_n  
  • crystalsky
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:19pm

    Can these homeowners and store owners etc sue these robbers for being in there homes like if they have no money could’nt they sue for there benefits or ebt cards because they are like cash now.

    Report this comment

    crystalsky  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:16pm

    I don’t know if I’d shoot to kill. I might be kind enough to offer the choice between colostomy bag or dual above the elbow prosthetics.

    Report this comment

    Ghandi was a Republican  
    • FISH_BONE
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:53pm

      Always shoot to kill. You have no idea what drugs the intruder is on. If he is “high” enough you could shoot him several times in the legs, arms, etc… (just to be nice) and he will still keep coming after you. Also, the chest is a bigger target and more likely you will hit the target. Always shoot to kill and aim for the chest.

      Report this comment

      FISH_BONE  
    • LakeHartwellSailor
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 7:09pm

      Bad idea. If the perp(s) don’t turn tail & run at the presentation of the weapon, and press their attack, always shoot for center mass…and I suggest at minimum give them a double-tap. Things move quickly, tunnel vision occurs. Train often for worse case scenarios because when it comes down to the proverbial brass tacks; its going to be muscle memory borne from practice that will give you at least a fighting chance.

      I know it sounds “macho” to say, I’ll shoot em in the leg….maybe even pick out his big toe as a warning; but real life scenarios rarely give you that kind of opportunity. And besides, if you have that opportunity to pick out a specific spot on a perps body, chances are you are not in a scenario where use of deadly force by virtue of even firing the weapon would be easily defended in a court of law.

      Alway, if you deem your life in danger and feel the need to discharge your firearm, always do so with the intent to overwhelm and kill.

      Report this comment

      LakeHartwellSailor  
  • thibx
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:04pm

    go ahead granny shoot their ass, good for you standing your ground.

    Report this comment

    thibx  
  • Cavallo
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:03pm

    Ever notice how the older generation seems quite willing to send criminals on to be judged in whatever exists in the hear after?

    Report this comment

    Cavallo  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:21pm

      They grew up with clear definitions of right and wrong and good and evil.

      Report this comment

      Gonzo  
    • Flag-Man
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:38pm

      I am one of those and would not hesitate to defend myself.
      Semper Fi

      Report this comment

      Flag-Man  
    • Witness1974
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:47pm

      GONZO: Exactly right. And they also knew what personal property means. My generation grew up being taught this insanity: “The truth is, there is no truth.” “Well, that;s a gray area.” What a load.

      Report this comment

      Witness1974  
    • neverending
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:56pm

      @CAVALLO – my thoughts exactly – you beat me to it.

      Report this comment

      neverending  
    • objectivetruth
      Posted on February 7, 2013 at 11:40am

      Yes and back then you didn’t have cry babies trying to prosecute them for self defense either.Fortunately the pendulum has swung back in the right direction.
      Yes the old generation did know the difference between right and wrong.Their children know it too but in many cases in years past were afraid to stand up.The older generation also taught the degrees of self defense too.Unfortunately our god forsaken law makers tried to pervert it.Its only been in the lst few years the law makers have started seeing the light.

      Report this comment

      objectivetruth  
  • term limits for congress
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:02pm

    Apparently she needs to move to a safer location.

    Report this comment

    term limits for congress  
    • Mapache
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:08pm

      Yeah, behind the sofa with two guns

      Report this comment

      Mapache  
    • Witness1974
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:13pm

      No! Apparently the community needs to clean itself up. Why should she run?

      Report this comment

      Witness1974  
    • FISH_BONE
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:15pm

      Like one of those ultra safe gun free zones? Chicago perhaps?

      Report this comment

      FISH_BONE  
    • RDavis49
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:20pm

      I would say the burglar need to move to a safer location to practice their craft or change occupations. Obviously, this one is going to eventuallly cost them their life. Good for you Granny, you go girl. Blow their asses away.. they’re the criminal here..

      Report this comment

      RDavis49  
  • media-bias-steals-elections
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:02pm

    You go girl!

    Granny’s gotta gun,
    it’s not going to be much fun,
    dum, dum, dum, the sound of a gun,
    oh, watch them run,
    shooting crooks is fun,
    granny is not going to hear you plead,
    all she see’s is your greed,
    she thinks you don’t want a witness to see,
    what a low life you’ve come to be,
    granny’s gotta gun,
    dum, dum, dum, its the sound of a gun,
    flipping burgers is more fun,
    then running from granny and her gun?

    Report this comment

    media-bias-steals-elections  
  • firman
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 4:59pm

    She needs a little dog that will bark to give her time to grab her gun quicker. Or a big ass dog that will eat the bitch.

    Report this comment

    firman  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:04pm

      That is Callie’s job here .. and she takes it VERY seriously .. the best dog for the job .. no kidding according to the insurance industry .. Chihuahua!

      Report this comment

      CatB  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:04pm

      Eat the old lady, or the thief?

      Report this comment

      Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • KevINtampa
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:07pm

      COTD – Comment of the Day

      Got a good laugh and agree.

      Report this comment

      KevINtampa  
    • firman
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:13pm

      Catb:I have a long haired chihuahua. Great watch dog.
      Darmok: Eat the thief silly!

      Report this comment

      firman  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:02pm

      At FIRMAN .. that is what Callie is .. see my avatar .. brown and tan long-haired. She is cruising in her carseat in the convertible ;-)

      Report this comment

      CatB  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:05pm

      She is 4 1/2 lbs of whoop a$$ if she feels threatened … and an excellent alarm dog ..

      Report this comment

      CatB  
    • firman
      Posted on February 6, 2013 at 8:15pm

      Catb: Awesome! mine is a male. “Chico” is about 10lbs. I know a guy that got put in the hospital when he was 10 or 12 by a chihuahua. He was deliverin newspapers and it lept off the porch and bit him in the carotid artery. He said he woke up in the hospital LOL! He’s a doctor and well respected so I know it’s a true story.

      Report this comment

      firman  
  • skippy6
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 4:58pm

    Sounds like this burglar is dumb enough to return…there may be a next time for her to follow through with….. ‘If I Ever Catch ‘Em, I Mean to Kill ‘Em’

    Report this comment

    skippy6  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 4:57pm

    Get a shotgun Ma’am and don’t let them get close enough to touch you.

    Report this comment

    Gonzo  
  • firman
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 4:57pm

    Never bring a wrench to a gunfight.

    Report this comment

    firman  
  • CatB
    Posted on February 6, 2013 at 4:55pm

    I am about 3 decades younger than this woman .. they will get the same if they break into my home .. or threaten me anywhere else also. Good for her .. the only thing that stops the bad guys (and gals) are citizens who refuse to be victims! YOU ROCK Mrs Howard.

    Report this comment

    CatB  
1 2

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