This is an amazing story from The Washington Post.
A 14 year old Phoenix boy was home alone in the middle of the afternoon with his younger siblings when a woman came to the door. He didn’t open it, because he didn’t recognize her. As he walked away, the door was knocked in and a man entered the house, aiming a gun at the kids.
The boy ran to his parents’ room, grabbed his father’s shotgun, and managed to shoot his armed would-be attacker. The attacker is currently in critical condition and has not yet been able to answer the police’s questions. The children’s father was so shaken up, he was unable to offer any insight, either.
This story is further evidence that children should be taught that “bad guys” aren’t just “guys” but can also be women. In fact, evidence has shown that women have been used many times in situations like this, in order to fool people (especially children) into believing a person is safe. Also, to imagine that crime can happen any time of the day. As the Post reports:
“This was mid-block in a neighborhood, at 4:30 in the afternoon in summertime and children are there,” he said. “They just took a heck of a gamble for this particular house, and we’ve got to try to figure out why.”
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Police say they wish the situation hadn’t happened, but that they are glad that the oldest son was able to protect his younger siblings. What a brave boy. I can only hope he gets the emotional support and therapy necessary to process this horrifying life event.
The female perpetrator has not been located.
How would you suggest talking to your children in order to prepare them for the event like this, or of the possibility of a “bad lady”?
Photo of Smoking Gun courtesy of Shutterstock
this reminds me of the reports about Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka. The girls who they abducted apparently thought the situation was safe because she was there.
I do have to object to the phrase “women have been used,” however. Women can do bad things all on their own.
That young man deserves a medal.
Seriously, any criminal foolish enough to break into the house knowing that people are there deserves a meeting with a bullet; after all, he is willing to hurt or kill inhabitants.
“How would you suggest talking to your children in order to prepare them for the event like this, or of thepossibility of a “bad lady”? The best approach is the truth: “Most men and women are good, but some men and women are bad. Many people, including the police, think that all women are good. Because of this, many bad people will ask a bad woman to talk to kids and tell the kids to come with them. This can be dangerous for kids who don’t know about bad women. But you are smart, and you know that anyone can… Read more »
If this was my son, I would high five him, and take him to the gun shop to pick out a new gun and engrave his name on it. This kid is going to be fine.
I don’t know about “fine.” His life is forever changed. He is now forever labeled and self-labeled as “having killed someone.” This friends, neighbors, schoolmates and the adult-public will forever identify him as “Little John Wayne.” His act went far beyond self defense. His included protection of siblings, children, and himself – another child. His act was no minor one however. It comes complete with real blood, real screams and real fear. Its horrible! If you are going to defend yourself and others with a gun, its almost better that you don’t know what happens after the bullet leaves the… Read more »
I think that those of us who have experienced serious violence have a very different attitude to it than people who only see it on TV. He doesn’t want or need high fives.
And those of us who have experienced serious violence at the hands of protected classes of citizens are fed up with having to take it and shut up. The boy will be fine. Explain to him that he did the right and responsible thing and that he is the hero of the family and should be proud of protecting his family. To sit in a circle and “koom by yah” him and take him to some chick therapists to get in touch with his inner self will really screw him up. He needs to know he is a brave and… Read more »
When I was younger I was taught about stranger danger, but if you were to ask me what he looked like, I couldn’t tell you. I remember the image of McRuff the crime dog. As a child I just never associated stranger danger with a gender. My mom would say don’t open the door for anyone. I just assumed anyone also included women. I think as long as you don’t gender it, they won’t gender it.
I think the boy is going to have some serious problems. It would be so much easier to heal from being burgled, than to heal from killing someone. Even though it was self defence.
Real life violence is not like violence on TV.
You assume a burglary is all that would have happened otherwise. I don’t think it’s wise to believe that someone willing to break into an occupied residence in the middle of the day would stop at taking inanimate objects.
We all have to talk to our children early and often and let them know that, although most people of either gender are kind and would do them no harm, there are a small number of either gender who would do harm to others. Teach them that women aren’t inherently more trustworthy nor are men inherently less trustworthy. Caution is advisable no matter what gender the stranger is.