Police: 2 teens killed trying to break into home

By APRIL CASTRO Associated Press Writer © 2009 The Associated Press


Sept. 4, 2009, 3:40PM







SAN MARCOS, Texas — A man shot and killed two teenagers and wounded another when they tried breaking into his home early Friday, police said.



A fourth teenager was arrested and is expected to be charged with aggravated robbery.



Three of the four male teenagers who tried breaking into the home were armed, one with a handgun and two with pellet guns that looked like more powerful weapons, San Marcos Police Chief Howard Williams said.



One of the three college-aged people who lived in the rental home opened fire on the teens with a .40-caliber Glock pistol, killing two 16-year-olds and wounding another suspect. A 17-year-old suspect fled the scene but was captured and arrested after returning to the scene to check on his friends, police said. He's expected to be charged with aggravated robbery, Williams said.



The wounded suspect was taken to Brackenridge Hospital in Austin with non-life threatening injuries, Williams said. Officials say the wounded suspect is also expected to be charged.



Police did not identify the suspects or those who lived in the home. None of the residents were injured. One was a Texas State University student.



Williams said the shooter appeared to be acting in self-defense and "there doesn't appear to be a crime" related to the shooting.



The suspects are from Luling, about 20 miles southeast of San Marcos, Williams said. It does not appear they know those living at the home, he said.



The shooting happened shortly before 2 a.m. Friday. Police responded to a 911 call about a home invasion and shots fired.



"If you feel threatened, you certainly have a right to defend yourself," said Williams.



San Marcos is about 30 miles south of Austin.



http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6603195.html



This lesson needs to be taught to every teenager in every school in the country. More and more law abiding citizens are arming themselves against the thugs that are breaking into our homes to do who knows what. One of these thugs had a real gun. What was he going to do? Kill the occupants of the home? And what were 16 year olds doing out at 2 in the morning? Where were the parents?



I have a 16 year old grandson. I can tell you that his mother knows were he's at all the time. And at 2 AM he's home in bed. Not running up and down the street. He's also a responsible gun owner. For his 13th birthday I gave him a single shot 410 shotgun. I had already been teaching him gun saftey. I know where the gun is, it's locked up with mine. He's not allowed to take it out unless I am with him. It's called teaching responsability. Something that seems to be lacking in a lot of homes now days. When he turns 18 in a couple years, he can take his gun out of my house. He will be legal to do so, and he is responsible enough.



I belive basic gun saftey should be taught in every school. Things like guns aren't toys and if you see one laying around, leave it alone and find a adult. But instead, we think we need to shield our kids from "that sort of thing". That's one of the reason that when small children do find a gun, the shoot themselves or a playmate. They see that in movies and they know it's just "pretend". Then it's too late.



With the exception of the gun I carry every day, every gun in my house is locked up. the only time they are out is when I'm going to the range or hunting. The 3 small grandsons, ages 2 thru 6 have already been taught that they are not toys, don't touch. I reinforce this every time they are with me and we're in the shop. It's really a shame when a 2 year old is smarter than a lot of adults.



Teach your childern a valuble lesson and maybe you won't have to bury them before they reach adulthood. A lesson 2 16 year olds in Texas could have used. Instead, thier families will now miss them forever.