Columbus Dispatch says home invasion "went wrong" when intended victim fought back with gun

By Chad D. Baus

In the words of Columbus Dispatch reporter Martin Rozenman ([email protected]), a home invasion "went wrong" the day after Christmas when the intended victim fought back, shooting one of his attackers and inflicting what Columbus Police Sgt. Eric Pilya said were life-threatening wounds.

From the story:

An apparent home invasion went wrong today for two suspects when a Hilltop resident apparently shot one of the suspects, police said.

Two men knocked on the door at 177 Haldy Ave. about 2:21 p.m. and asked for money, Columbus Police Sgt. Eric Pilya said.

One of the men took a resident to a back room, where the suspect was shot, Pilya said. His wounds were life-threatening, and he was taken to Mount Carmel West hospital where he was in critical condition last night, Pilya said.

The second man, who was armed, fled. Police did not say who was suspected of the crime last night.

It was uncertain whether the resident shot the first man with the man's weapon or his own, Pilya said.

The residence, a duplex with a for-sale sign in the front yard, was occupied by a man, two women and a young boy, Pilya said.

One can only wonder what the home invasion would have looked like if it had "gone right", in the eyes of Mr. Rozenman...

Under Ohio's Castle Doctrine law, if someone unlawfully enters an occupied home or temporary habitation, or occupied car, citizens have an initial presumption that they may act in self defense, and will not be second-guessed by the State.