84-Year-Old Korean War Vet Shoots Home Invader in PA — Then Forgives Intruder’s Family
- Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:01pm by
Buck Sexton
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An 84-year-old western Pennsylvania man and Korean War vet shot and wounded a home invasion suspect, and then forgave the man’s family when they came to apologize.
WPXI-TV has video with details of how this no-nonsense war vet dealt with an imminent threat to his life and property:
The New York Daily News described the scene as something that:
“appeared to be pulled from the pages of the Clint Eastwood film ‘Gran Torino,’ [as] grizzled war hero Fred Ricciutti grabbed his battlefield sidearm after he heard someone bust through a kitchen door of his Elizabeth Township house at around 4:30 a.m.”
(photo courtesy of WPXI.com)
“I said, ‘Halt, who’s there?’ ” Ricciutti told Pittsburgh station WPXI. ”I’m thinking, friend or foe, he shouldn’t be there that time of day.”
Ricciutti fired once with a German Luger he once carried in battle, hitting suspect Raymond Hiles, 25, in the neck.
Police say Hiles, 25, was captured Tuesday not long after trying to break into Ricciutti’s Elizabeth Township home, about 15 miles south of Pittsburgh. Police say the suspect had a stun gun and a screwdriver on him at his time of arrest.
Ricciutti tells the AP that he accepted an apology from the suspect’s family, who live across the street and came over in tears to apologize.
Hiles is being held on $100,000 bail on charges including criminal trespass and burglary.
Authorities say they don’t expect to bring charges against Ricciutti.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments (144)
neozon
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 2:09pmI applaud you Mr. Fred Ricciutti for still being brave and courageous in the face of evil. People like you are what make this country great.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 2:20pmIn several states that old guy would not have had a gun and would have been beaten to a pulp. Thank you for Zimmerman-izing that invader.
Report Post »pavnvet
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 3:32pmOne of the perks living here in Pennsylvania. There is no way he would ever get prosecuted because of our Castle Doctrine.
Two things came to mind when I read this. First, Never mess with a man that has only one gun because he probably knows how to use it. Second, You don’t get old by being stupid. Good for you sir!
Report Post »VinnieSquawker
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 4:15pmYep. Two wings high to you for choosing not to be a victim and standing up to punks. Good on you!
Report Post »Unix
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 4:16pmThanks for your service in the military sir! Tthank you for setting an idiot on the right path, to jail and in pain!
Report Post »little big man
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 5:13pmWe have the castle doctrine here in Pa. some what like stand your ground in Fl. the Pa man had every right to defend his home and property. so no no charges will be filed against this war hero.
Report Post »Al Gator
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 6:30pm@teamarches
LOL, I like your thinking. But let’s generate a new word, something a little more streamlining. Something like “gzimming” or he got “zimmed” or the vet “gzimmed” his stupid butt.
One question. Since when did a GI carry a German Luger into Korea?
I’d like to know a little more about that story, if the reporters didn’t eff it up, and the old boy did in fact have a Luger, that to me is a far more interesting story!!
Report Post »pschlentz
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 8:41pmAmen to that, this man is a true Patriot, most likely saving himself and his wife.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:36pmAL GATOR, We did not have all of these crazy laws back then. It may have been one from a WWII vet family member who passed it along to him as he departed to Korea. Or, simply a personal choice. If you recall one of the scenes from Band Of Brothers before that unit’s departure from England to D-Day one of the characters gets a .38 revolver in the mail from his home town’s police department.
Report Post »fdmike
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 11:33pmThe guys probably a drug addict who obviously comes from a family of honor. He got what was coming to him and the family apologized. I’d hardly say the man was evil Neozon.
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:02am“Authorities say they don’t expect to bring charges against Ricciutti.” Really? You don’t say. What kind of idiot reporter puts that at the end of a report on a legitimate self defense use of of a firearm? I guess putting an assinine statement like that in there may lead people to believe that he just barely escaped prosecution for defending his family and home and that the rest of you gun freaks “beware because you may not be as lucky”. Reporters make me sick.
Report Post »VinnieSquawker
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:03amAl Gator Was thinking the same thing. Hopefully he copped it off a dead Kraut in WWII.
Report Post »countrysideflair
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 2:00pmGood shot! And, thank you to the suspect’s family who chose the correct path and apologized instead of suing because their son was shot while committing a crime.
Report Post »Tom K
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 2:44pm@ COUNTRYSIDEFLAIR : This news story is straight up, cut and dried, but there are liberals that will not understand this story at all. That is beyond sad and pathetic. The anti-self protection knuckleheads out there should not EVER vote or run for office since it is obvious that they are mentally defective. Any Man, at any age has two jobs: support his family and protect his family. Pretty simple, huh. Great job Mr. Ricciutti and God Bless You.
Report Post »matinva
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:52pm‘Gun Control’ means hitting what you aim at. Hat’s off to Mr. Ricciutti and thank you for your service!
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 2:01pmAmen!!
Report Post »Constructionist
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:50pmAuthorities “don’t expect” to bring charges against the 84-year-old veteran for shooting a home invader. Well… shucks guys… thanks!
Report Post »Murkman
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 2:54pmYeah. Awfully nice for you to put his mind at ease.
Report Post »Tom K
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 2:54pm@ CONSTRUCTIONIST : Of course authorities do not expect to bring charges . . . . Authorities should be arranging a parade, a picnic luncheon, a “ Citizen of the Year ” award, the key to the city, an invitation to speak at the local school assembly about the fight for freedom, a free box of ammo from the hardware store, a complimentary shave and a hair cut: most of which this gentle-man would probably turn down. God Bless You Mister Ricciutti.
Report Post »duketurner
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 3:29pm“don’t expect” isn’t the same as “are not” Just wait for the DA who wants to make a name for him/herself. It is election season and I don’t put anything past these people anymore. Common sense in this country is pretty much gone, so it won’t surprise me if some crazy advocacy group takes up the case to try and push their anti-gun, anti-personal responsibiltiy, anti-self protection, anti-American agenda.
Report Post »howardroark1165
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:54pmYou, me and everyone else knows that had the piece of human debris been black and had an out of date cute and cuddly pre-pubescent picture this would be a COMPLETELY different story.
Report Post »thop1960
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:40pmVets…the older we get, the harder we fall. Keep thinking just because you are 25 you can break in my house and take my stuff or my life. In the words of GWB “bring em on”…I need target practice, it’s hard for me to get to the range with my arthritis and such…
Report Post »FromSeaToSea
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:40pmGuns are for peacekeeping. Home defense is one part of peacekeeping.
The second part of peacekeeping is keeping the Country safe from without and within. This is just as important is home defense. From within against tyranny. Most of the founding fathers believed the greatest danger to America was from within, not without.
“Americans need never fear THEIR government because of the ADVANTAGEOF BEING ARMED, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation.” James Madison
“It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.” Benjamin Franklin
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 6:09pmThis man deserves kudos from all of us.
It’s a pity that Sweet Old Barack, Epic Holdup and Fat Janet want to classify him as a possible terrorist because he has military training and owns a weapon.
My admiration sir from one old soldier to another (MSG USA Ret)
OMG 2012
Report Post »fiveft15
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:39pmTo bad he didn’t use an 870 with 00 buck and saved the city the money it will cost to convict the loser.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 2:52pmUs older people like the 930!
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:59pmI coulda congratulated the trespasser with a chino knockoff of a Browning assault 12ga. with #8 doubletap.
Report Post »ww2daughter
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:57pm…or a 20ga 2 3/4 0 buck shot would do the job just as well you think????
Report Post »Mainer forever
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:37pm84 yr old vet? God Bless him. and accepted the apolgy from the dirtbags family? Such a classy man of Honor.
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:35pmI wonder if he has a 1972 Ford Gran Torino in the garage!!??
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 7:32pmA dodge duster……….
Report Post »potica69
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:34pmGod bless America!
Report Post »lefthook37
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:32pmHappyness is a warm gun…yes it is …Bang Bang shoot shoot
Report Post »Texas Chris
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:35pmNever undersetimate the joy of smelling cordite. It’s the smell of fredom and security!
Report Post »momrules
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:25pmI keep seeing some of the baby commies using the phrase “old and irrelevant” recently to describe Tea Partiers, Rush listeners, etc..
Well babies Mr.Riccuitti is an example of the type of men and women that is still out here and he was damn sure relevant to the young punk that thought an old man and old woman wouldn’t be much of a problem to overcome.
hatchetjob
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 2:04pmYes, this is such good news today!! I bet all the anti gun people are pissed. Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h…
Report Post »FromSeaToSea
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:24pm“Laws that forbid the carrying of arms….disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants,; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.” Thomas Jefferson
“Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion…in private self-defense.” John Adams
“The constitutions of most of our States assert that ALL POWER IS INHERANT TO THE PEOPLE; that is their RIGHT AND DUTY to be AT ALL TIMES ARMED.” Thomas Jefferson
“Firearms stand NEXT IN IMPORTANCE TO THE CONSTITUTION ITSELF. They are the American PEOPLES TEETH and keystone under Independence.” George Washington
“A million armed freemen, possessed of the means of war, CAN NEVER BE CONQUERED.”
Report Post »Andrew Jackson
Texas Chris
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:37pm“At all times armed”
I like the sound of that!
Report Post »drphil69
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:20pmGuns – the great equalizer. A 90 year old woman in a wheelchair can defend herself from a 300 lb thug… when she has a gun.
Liberals hate guns because they don’t want ANYONE TO BE ABLE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES, ESPECIALLY THE OLD, DISABLED, AND SICK.
Report Post »FromSeaToSea
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:33pmThis is a popular notion, although true, the real reason every American needs to own and bear arms is to maintain peace with their own gov.. Arms are for peacekeeping much like nations use nuclear arms. Americans do not understand this concept and have given up their teeth. No one has any teeth anymore. The balance of power rests in citizens being armed. When we are disarmed, the only one armed is the gov.. That‘s why private property and arrest of one’s self is so prevelant in our society. If men banded together to defend their neighbor no one’s rights could be taken.
“Firearms stand NEXT IN IMPORTANCE TO THE CONSTITUTION ITSELF. They are the American PEOPLES TEETH and keystone under Independence.” George Washington
“It is the DUTY of the Patriot to protect his country from ITS government.” Thomas Payne
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT.” George Washington “
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:15pmHe not only gave service to his country and I thank him for that but he is also is a great human being and man of God to except the families apology. I hope the guilty gets help but hurting or killing someone is noway to help his family but would make them more anguished God Bless
Report Post »ProudCapitalist
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:15pmThat is really big of the “authorities” to consider not charging the guy defending his home from a criminal who would have stunned the old guy and probably killed the old couple with a screwdriver so they could not identify him. Too bad the old war vet was such a bad shot with that luger.
Report Post »killdozerd11
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:37pmHe’s not a bad shot he hit him in the neck
Report Post »That just means he shot a little low
To bad that Luger‘s generally don’t like hollow points he was most likely using FMJ rounds
FromSeaToSea
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:49pmI Fully support the old gentlemen. Great job. I would point out the perpetrator was running away when shot. This is the issue with the police. To justify the attempted kill with the gun, there has to be the threat of bodily injury. The police probably covered the old mans butt under the law makiing some claim like ” the thief was running away to get a kitchen knife.” This is all non sense for You and I but it’s the stinking law.
Report Post »Steverino
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 6:41pmSEA-
Report Post »That was my concern as well. Here in Michigan, I believe that that approach (shooting at someone’s back) would have yielded at the very least, a good close look at my intentions…
The mere fact that there is an intruder in your home SHOULD BE grounds enough for lethal defense.
Steve
mrunner
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:14pmAnother hero. Protecting our rights begins with protecting our homes and families.
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 2:07pmMore trash was taken out today, hooo-raaaay!!
Report Post »jackact
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:14pmReal Americans are everywhere.
Report Post »God bless this man.
Texas Chris
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:37pmAmen.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:09pmThis warrior is typical of the quiet Americans that the liberals pay no attention to.
A Lion in Winter.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:20pmCouldn’t have said it better. I was just happy to read that the family had enough common sense to not go nuts and blame the victim. But rather to approach and apologize for a family member’s definite misdeeds.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:08pmOld people will kill you if they have a gun, because they are no longer able to depend upon their bodies to fight off hoods. I am personally proud of him.
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:14pmBullets r faster than fist.
Report Post »dublinthewagons
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:33pmThis needs to happen more often. STAND YOUR GROUND
Report Post »NSDQ
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:08pmThe fact that charges against the older gentleman were even a question, reflects the sad state of our times.
Report Post »westfayetteville
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:46pmThank God, PA passed the castle doctrine this year or else they would have charged him. They tried to pass it 2 years ago when we had a democrat Gov. that vetoed the bill. When we voted in a republican Gov. it was passed in to law
Report Post »bigdaddyt46
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 6:41ami know of a person here in Wisconsin that is serving a life sentence(actually 300 years was the sentence). his crime???
he shot an intruder that was in his home. because said intruder was half way out the door when he was fired upon and killed he was found guilty of murder because the “threat” was already over and therefore was unnessacery to use deadly force. 300 years for shooting robber??? yet i know of thugs getting 1 to 5 years for doing far worse crimes.
this was all pre truth in sentencing laws, but still. all the laws that have been put on the books that have made out justice system a joke to criminals should be abolished. bring back stiff sentences from the old days 10 years at hard labor in a crappy prison.
Report Post »prisons nowadays are us luxurious(sp?) as a 5* hotel. free education, free meals, free health care, free gym ect. will never deter crime.
FromSeaToSea
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:07pm‘Kill-or-be-killed’ self-defense guru Tim Larkin banned from UK
By Ian Johnston, msnbc.com
LONDON — An American self-defense expert — who teaches people how to deal with “kill-or-be-killed” situations — has been banned from entering Britain. Officials say Tim Larkin’s presence “was not conducive to the public good.”
Larkin attempted to board a flight to the U.K. from Las Vegas, but was given a letter from the U.K. Border Agency saying he would not be allowed in, according to BBC News.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:23pmNo wonder that many of their retiring SAS members move out of the country.
Report Post »tbb
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:31pmThat is the U.K. for you. No one is allowed guns. Even the police don’t have them. There is only one armed unit in a police force in the U.K. It’s not even common among criminals to have or use guns.
Report Post »Xiccarph
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:51pmDead victims of crime are an asset to our progressive brethren. They provide reasons for more laws and restrictions in order to “protect” the masses, while at the same time they plea bargain away jail time for the thugs…more thugs mean more victims mean more need for more laws. Worst thing for libs are pompous citizens who decide to take care of themselves…makes their tyrannic controls appear to be unneeded. Really surprised this guy wasn’t arrested and drug through the System to (1) get all his money into the legal economy (lawyers, judges and DA’s love that job saving income), (2) do their utmost to criminalize what he did to make an example of him to other “upstarts” who don’t wait for the police/authorities to save them. Most jurisdictions would do their utmost to financially and legally ruin someone like this.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:07pmGo grandpa. Way to go. We are proud of you.
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:06pmHe clearly came to assault or kill the couple and rob them. This state will not receive federal funding because of its support of self defense laws. This case will be cited as to the dangers of having armed citizens who can be judge, jury and executioner.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 7:08pmCome on down to Texas Chief, we don’tave that problem here and never have had. Even our female, democrat govenor was a shooter.
OMG 2012
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:05pmnice shot
but you should always bang off at least three rounds to make sure the job is done
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:21pmBingo…
Report Post »Texas Chris
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:41pmShoot until empty, reload, and wait.
This guy will get out in a few years. The old Hero may be gone to his rest by then, maybe even his wife… but the thug WILL get out.
Then what?
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 2:13pmWTF? — A German Luger? — Korea?
Report Post »Al Gator
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 6:37pm@ luker
You and me both Brother. If he did in fact carry that pistola into combat in Korea, that piece has one hellova history. Or he does, Or both.
As in Viet Nam, GIs in Korea could bring personal weapons with them.
Otherwise, its just more stupid from MSM panty wetters who don’t know sh*t from shinola.
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