Valid defensive gun use?

[mvccd1000]

Sounds like this guy did all the right things - I'm curious as to whether anyone here disagrees, or thinks he should not have been armed?

MESA, AZ - A Mesa man is in custody after threatening to kill his neighbors because God told him to do it.

Richard Hess, 42, is facing several charges including aggravated assault and making deadly threats.

His next door neighbor, Seth, told ABC15 that he and his fiancée were eating dinner Monday night when they noticed Hess glaring at them through a window with what they call a "crazed look in his eyes."

Next they say Hess broke the window with his fist while holding a knife and telling Seth over and over, "Today is the day you are going to die."

Police say Hess later told officers he believed his neighbors were terrorists who were trying to kill him by sending poisonous gas through the vents.

According to police, Hess also said, "God told me to do it."

"My fiancée was hit with the glass and I went into protection mode," Seth said. He said he locked the door, called police and pulled out his gun in case Hess made it inside.

Hess is now in the Maricopa County Jail while Seth and his fiancée have moved out of their apartment and say they are not going back.

Had Hess made it through the door, while threatening to kill this couple, would you have a problem with Seth having acted as "judge, jury, and executioner?"

[TheWraith]

1. Nope. He would have been completely justified, in my view.

It's a shame though that the guy and his fiancee have effectively been scared out of their home. I hope they feel less impacted after things calm down.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. The bubba was crackers but that does not mean he could not be a credible threat.

911 had been called, their exit blocked, if he had made his way inside and was killed, it would appear to have met the legal and ethical tests for lethal self defense.

[Serve The Servants]

10. Agreed on all points NT

[Arctic Dave]

3. Did someone say this wasn't?

Or is this a capt obvious post?

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

4. I say...

..."Off the crazy."

Add it up:
threatening + unstable + breaking in + armed = target

no hesitation and even less remorse

[Hoyt]

5. Damn straight, don't ever waste a chance to shoot someone.

By god, how many chances do you think you'll get to shoot a man. Even though things worked out OK, don't waste a chance to squeeze the trigger and watch brain matter spatter. (sarcasm thingy)

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

6. "By god, how many chances do you think you'll get to shoot a man."

None Have a nice day.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

7. Oh also...

...I don"t advise head shots unless you're very close or very good.

[yamihere]

11. +1

[ellisonz]

8. Would you object if he shot Hess in the back?

[hack89]

15. Yes - if there was clear evidence Hess was retreating. nt

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

16. + 1 n/t

[Serve The Servants]

9. Not at all.

Hess threatened to kill Seth and had a knife. BOOM! Head shot! Now call the cops, and while you wait for them to arrive go finish the rest of your dinner before it gets cold.

That being said, killing someone because you fear getting a busted nose and a bloody lip is totally unacceptable, IMHO.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

17. not to butt in but...

...the first shot should be center of mass.

[TheCowsCameHome]

12. AZ?

They'll probably elect him governor.

[oneshooter]

18. Apparently you do not believe that he handled the situation correctly.

How would have you handled it differently?

Oneshooter
Armed and Livin in Texas

[melm00se]

13. Checklist

- Is the person armed? Check

- Is the person an imminent threat? outside the house blocked by a locked door? no; had he made it thru the door? yes

- Would a reasonable person define this person as a threat? yes, the comment "Today is the day you are going to die." would make that pretty clear.

- Would a person be justified in shooting (and potentially killing) the threat? again, if the attacker was outside and barred from entry, ethically no. legally? not sure, depends upon the state laws (in NC, according to my CCW class, no...but the laws recently changed so it may be). Once the attacker enters my home? sorry charlie but you are going to acquire a serious, if not lethal, case of lead poisoning.

[RegieRocker]

14. You would be as crazy as Hess to think not.

[ManiacJoe]

19. Ability, opportunity, jeopardy.

That is the standard for self defense.

Jeopardy - Hess made verbal threats to kill.

Ability - Hess had a deadly weapon (knife).

Opportunity - Hess remain outside the house, thus he did not have the opportunity to harm anyone inside the house. If he had entered the house, Hess would have met the criteria.

Once AOJ has been met, legally you are OK using lethal force for self defense. Whether or not doing so is good tactics for the situation is a different conversation.