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It isn't often we come across a story these days in which guns are being used for the purpose of self-defense, but here's a time when I can't help but feel grateful that a couple owned firearms. A 17-year-old girl stepped outside her home in St. Louis at around 11 p.m. to retrieve something from her car, when two armed men reportedly put a gun to her head and used her a human shield so they could break into her house. The girl's mother and father were home at the time, as was a 5-year-old child.
But instead of letting themselves be victims or, worse, watching their teen daughter get hurt or killed -- her mother and father grabbed their guns and defended their family by shooting both suspects and killing one.
Terrell Johnson, 31, and Cortez McClinton, 33, reportedly approached the girl while she was just a few feet away from her front door and placed a gun to her head. Her father, who wishes to remain anonymous and says he was visiting their home at the time, witnessed it happening and was ready when they entered their home. Both he and the teen's mom grabbed their guns and shot at both men. The mother missed, but the father killed Johnson and wounded McClinton, who was able to flee the scene but was later apprehended and is in critical condition.
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Both men had served time for previous crimes, according to police. Johnson had been found guilty of first-degree robbery, for which he was given a 16-year sentence, and McClinton was charged in 2010 with first-degree murder, but the charges were reportedly dropped because witnesses wouldn't participate in the trial. McClinton has now been charged with second-degree murder, kidnapping, burglary, and criminal armed action and is being held on $1 million bond.
Police are still uncertain if this crime was random or whether the men had planned to target this young girl and her family.
As someone who ordinarily rallies against gun possession, I can't help but feel relieved that, in this case, the victims were able to defend themselves and their children. But it's truly terrifying to think that this is even necessary.
Does this story make you think twice about gun ownership?
Image via zombieite/Flickr
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