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Author of How to Prep When You’re Broke and Bloom Where You’re Planted online course

An elderly Vietnam veteran used his Second Amendment rights in a heroic act of self-defense after a savage attack broke both of his legs. The incident occurred early Friday morning in Studio City, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California.

I thought this article was timely, considering the event took place right before Veteran’s Day.

Here’s what happened.

According to a variety of news sources and some home security camera footage, we’re able to piece together a lot about what happened before the shooting.

A man, who has not yet been named, apparently drove his Prius to the neighborhood, where he got out and stripped off all his clothing.  He then proceeded to rant loudly and incoherently, trying to get into several houses. He took a security sign from a neighbor’s lawn and continued trying doors.

Finally, he reached an unlocked door and walked into the home, part of a duplex. The woman’s screaming alerted her landlord, who resided in in the back part of the duplex. That’s when things began to go bad for the naked lunatic. The man in the back part of the duplex was a 79-year-old Vietnam veteran identified so far only as “George.”

According to LAPD Capt. Warner Castillo, George told the naked man to leave, warning, “I have a gun, I will shoot you.”

The naked man then charged the veteran and body slammed him into the pavement, breaking both of his legs. Despite the grievous injury, George kept his wits about him and showed everyone that Vietnam Veterans are still lethal. The elderly man opened fire, shooting the crazed man three times and killing him.

What we know about the aftermath

In an interview, Captain Castillo referred to the shooting as an act of “self-defense.” In most parts of the country, this would be obvious, but you have to remember that this incident took place in Los Angeles, California. It appears that George did everything right, including a verbal warning.

George was taken to the hospital with severe injuries and underwent surgery on his legs immediately.The surgery was “successful” according to Capt. Castillo.  No further information is known about the veteran’s condition or about the naked trespasser.

Here’s the coverage, which I thought was quite balanced, from the local CBS News station.

The takeaway

You’re never too old to defend yourself. George displayed the perfect (and legal) response to the incident, despite being attacked and seriously injured.

Have your weapon with you. It sounds like George came out with his weapon or was already carrying, which meant he was able to immediately respond when the situation got violent.

Lock your freaking doors! The trespasser had tried several other doors before getting to one that was unlocked.

Practice, practice, practice. If you aren’t a veteran like George, you may need more practice to keep your shooting skills fresh. Take a trip to the range with your weapon this week and brush up.

To all of our veterans, thank you for your service.

What are your thoughts about this incident? Are you surprised that it’s being treated as self defense, given the location? Let’s discuss it in the comments section.

Sources: About Daisy

Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging author and blogger who’s traded her air miles for a screen porch, having embraced a more homebody lifestyle after a serious injury. She’s the heart and mind behind The Organic Prepper, a top-tier website where she shares what she’s learned about preparedness, self-reliance, and the pursuit of liberty. With 17 books under her belt, Daisy’s insights on living frugally, surviving tough times, finding some happiness in the most difficult situations, and embracing independence have touched many lives. Her work doesn’t just stay on her site; it’s shared far and wide across alternative media, making her a familiar voice in the community.