Neighbors of an Oklahoma woman were shocked to discover that she had shot and killed a home intruder on Friday.
Bartlesville Police said that they had received a 911 call from the woman saying that there was a man trying to break into her apartment, and then, moments later, she told them that she had shot him.
They said the man died and only added that he was 23 years old. The woman told police that she did not know the man prior to the shooting.
Bartlesville Police Captain Daniel Elkins told KOTV-TV that Oklahoma law allows residents to use lethal force if they feel they are under threat from a home intruder.
“It’s very unfortunate, and we’re glad no one else was hurt in the process,” he said. “The homeowner felt like they had to do what was necessary, and that’s ultimately their choice.”
Police said they interviewed the woman and ultimately released her, but it’s up to the district attorney as to whether charges might be filed against her.
Laci Robertson lives in the neighborhood, and she told KOTV that one of her children had just walked by the home before the shooting.
“With that happening just right here, you never know when a stray bullet or something could go on,” said Robertson. “You know there’s things that happen, but you just don’t really think it’s going to happen so close to home.”
She went on to say that she hoped the incident would deter other would-be criminals.
“You live in a place, and you think ‘oh, we’re safe here,”‘ she added. “‘It’s fine.’ But the world is just getting more and more crazy every day.”
Bartlesville is a city of about 37,000 people in the northern part of the state.
Here’s a local news report about the incident:
Bartlesville Home Intruder Shot And Killed, Neighbors React
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