SPANISH FORT, AL — A Spanish Fort father is being hailed by many as a responsible gun owner who did what he had to do to protect his family during a terrifying home invasion early Saturday morning.
Just after midnight, a woman inside a home on Caisson Trace heard noises outside, then the unmistakable sound of shattering glass. She quickly woke her husband. Moments later, a 17-year-old male had forced his way through a broken front window and into the home, where the father — now alert and armed — was waiting.
“There is somebody in their residence in the middle of the night, unknown to them. There’s a reasonable belief, then, that somebody can be harmed in his family,” said Spanish Fort Police Chief John Barber. The father, who was protecting his wife and three sleeping children, fired one shot with a pistol, striking the intruder in the upper abdomen.
The teenager, who does not live in the neighborhood, was airlifted to University Hospital. He is currently in critical but stable condition. Police say the teen had been drinking and was likely under the influence of a substance, though toxicology results are pending.
Investigators say the teen had been at a friend’s house nearby earlier that night. What prompted him to break into a different house remains unclear.
Chief Barber confirmed that based on physical evidence, the intruder broke through a front window and entered the home alone.
“This 17-year-old juvenile forcibly enters into this residence where he’s confronted by the father,” Barber said. “The father appeared to be acting in self-defense.”
The case is still under investigation, and police say charges — including burglary — may be filed against the teen. The incident will be presented to a grand jury.
The boy’s father, speaking from his son’s hospital bedside, offered a different perspective. He claimed his son likely thought he was returning to his friend’s house and entered the wrong home by mistake.
“He remembers drinking. He remembers leaving to go pick up another friend. He doesn’t remember anything after that,” the father said.
While the teen’s father does not excuse his son’s underage drinking, he insists his son was confused and had no intention of breaking into someone’s home. He emphasized that his son has no criminal record and has never been in trouble before.
Thankfully for the homeowner and his family, the victims in this case, the boy who was not killed, yet they will now have to live with the consequences of this teen’s bad decision. But the homeowner’s decision to protect his family was clear and justified. His wife roused him from sleep amid the sound of breaking glass and a strange man entering his home. What were his choices?
“In the moment, when someone is in your house in the middle of the night, your job as a father is to protect your wife and your kids,” one neighbor told us. “That’s what happened here.”
The story serves as a stark reminder: the Second Amendment is not just a right — for many families, it’s their last line of defense when unknown danger comes crashing through the window.
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Glad to hear that stupidly didn’t kill this young man and he will get a second chance. Would have been a nightmare for all had he died. Can’t blame the shooter. I do like that he did not shoot for the chest or mag dump.
“He emphasized that his son has no criminal record and has never been in trouble before.”
Well, there’s always the possibility if a first time; and this was it!
In wonder if dad thinks this is his son’s first time drinking too.
Like a cop friend of mine (now retired) would say.
“How many Beers does it take for That to Sound Like a Good Idea?”
It is not the homeowner’s responsibility to question or guess the aggressor intent. His only responsibility is to protect his home and family without death or injury. So is it normal for a intoxicated boy to enter a friends house without knocking or talking just busting a window to get inside? No, it is not.
Note to 17-year-old self, get help and stop drinking. Fathers note to self, get my 17-year-old son help to stop drinking. Fathers second note to self, who gave a 17-year-old alcohol?
“He claimed his son likely thought he was returning to his friend’s house and entered the wrong home by mistake.”
Through the front window, of course.