Homeowner Defeats Burglar with Bear Spray, Shotgun

by
posted on April 23, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
wilder_ah2015_fs.jpg (9)

This story's really more of a fit over at "The Armed Citizen®" (and you may well see it over there soon enough), but, given the circumstances, I just couldn't leave it alone. According to reports, a Washington man was able to apprehend a young burglar earlier this week. Our protagonist's tools of the trade: bear mace and a trusty shotgun. According to KXLY, the unidentified homeowner heard noises in his garage in the middle of the night, and realized that someone must have broken in. Deciding it was time to act, the homeowner decided to utilize a solution typically reserved for larger, wilder dangers: bear mace. He allegedly emptied the entire can into the garage.As you might expect, the tactic worked. The late-night raiders broke a garage window and made an effort to flee the scene. It was then that one of them ran into the homeowner, who was now waiting in the front yard with a shotgun. According to KREM, the suspect-in-question was wielding a machete and approached the homeowner, but dropped the blade and surrendered after being granted a warning shot.The 17-year-old machete-wielding perp was taken into custody by the authorities, and an alleged 19-year-old accomplice was arrested later on. Police are still searching for an alleged third suspect.Check out the full KXLY report in the video embedded below.

Latest

W H2026 07 250Hunting Gettyimages 576824014
W H2026 07 250Hunting Gettyimages 576824014

250 Years of American Hunting

A celebration of a proud tradition. Follow us through the history of 250 years of American hunting.

Savage Arms Helps Raise $1 Million for Youth Shooting Sports Through Support of MidwayUSA Foundation

Savage Arms has helped raise more than $1 million for youth shooting teams and organizations through its support of MidwayUSA Foundation.

Range Review: Tippmann Arms M4-22 RCR-26 .22 LR Rifle

This lightweight, competition-grade semi-automatic from Tippmann is an ideal all-around sporting rimfire.

New for 2026: Woox Elegante Stocks

The Elegante is Woox's first purpose-built bolt-action platform for both sport shooters and hunters who build or upgrade their rifle to keep and pass on for generations. While most manufacturers put chassis systems inside synthetic or mass-produced wood stocks, Woox utilizes a single hand-selected piece of hand-oiled Claro American Walnut on the outside with an aerospace-grade aluminum mini-chassis on the inside.

Recall: Stop Use Order for CVA Paramount Series Muzzleloaders

CVA is issuing a safety recall for all Paramount, Paramount HTR, Paramount Pro, and Paramount Pro V2 muzzleloading rifles. This recall pertains.

An Ode to the Double Rifle

There are few who appreciate double rifles more deeply than our regular contributor, Phil Massaro. From the guns' storied history, to their heft and utility, the double rifle has fascinated Phil for a lifetime, and he has carried them in pursuit of game at home and abroad. Read on for his tribute to the classic design.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.