Apr 11, 2010

Homeowner Defends Self Against Sword Wielding Intruder

He brought a sword to a gun fight

TURLEY — A homeowner shot and killed a burglar Thursday night when the man threatened him with a sword, sheriff’s officials said.

The burglar who was shot at 6017 N. Owasso Ave. was identified as Billy Jean Tiffey III, 19, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Sgt. Shannon Clark said.

The homeowner, Michael Lish, and his wife arrived home about 10 p.m. to find the back door ajar and a window open, spokesman Clark said.

As Lish, who had a concealed-weapon permit, searched the house, an intruder wearing all-black clothing confronted him while wielding a sword.

The intruder made a threatening statement and walked toward Lish, so Lish ordered him to stop, Clark said. As the intruder continued to walk toward him, Lish fired one shot, striking Tiffey in the abdomen.

Tiffey dropped to his knees and reached behind his back, appearing to the homeowner asif he was reaching for another weapon, the investigation showed. Lish then fired a second and third shot, striking Tiffey in the chest area, killing him, Clark said.

Investigators found that Tiffey was also carrying a .38-caliber pistol, the homeowner’s 9 mm pistol, a knife and a stun gun.

Authorities interviewed the residents, and no arrests were made, Clark said. The case will be sent to the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office for further review.

Under Oklahoma’s “Make My Day” law, a person can use force — including deadly force — to defend his or her home.

Tiffey has a previous criminal record and had been on probation since Feb. 24 on counts of unlawful possession of a controlled drug and possession of paraphernalia, court records show.

He was arrested again Feb. 28 and then charged March 8 with driving under the influence and driving under suspension, court records show.

Lovingly Cut'n'pasted from Tulsa World, NICOLE MARSHALL AND MATT BARNARD

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Job well done. I feel no sympathy for the criminal that lost his life to being a moron. Good riddance.