Armed TX Grandma Following Home Invasion: ‘He’s going to kill me or I’m going to kill him’

in Authors, Current Events, Defensive Use of Firearms, S.H. Blannelberry

Rebbie Roberson from Bowie County, Texas is my new hero.

The 74-year-old grandmother showed incredible courage and poise when her house was broken into last Sunday night.

Instead of letting the armed robber take what he wanted from her (who knows what the thug wanted, maybe some money or jewels or may even her life), she chose to fight back.

“And when I started to get up, he was in here on me with a gun facing me right to my face,” she told KSLA News 12, recounting the incident.

At that moment, with a gun in her face, she got up and calmly made her way over to a nearby table where her own firearm was resting.

“So I had to walk right out in front of him,” explained Roberson. “I didn’t know if he was going to kill me or what.”

“I reached over there and grabbed this gun,” she continued. “And when I swerved around, I pointed it at him and he ran.”

Roberson then began firing her wheel gun in the man’s direction.

“I’m not sure I didn’t hit him. I don’t know yet. I sure tried. I sure was hoping,” she said, adding, “That was the scare of my life.”

SEE ALSO: Women Defending Themselves is ‘Unrealistic and Offensive,’ Says Canadian Minister

Police did not find evidence to suggest that the intruder was wounded.

“I tried to kill him,” Roberson said. “Anybody break in on me, I’m going to kill them. He’s going to kill me or I’m going to kill him.”

Roberson said she always keeps a gun nearby, though, this is the first time she has ever had to use it.

While this encounter did not end badly for Roberson, authorities indicated that Roberson was lucky.

“It could have been worse for both individuals, both the victim and the suspect,” Bowie County sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jeff Neal said.

No charges are expected to be filed against Roberson.

“Every citizen, according to the Texas penal code, has the right to defend themselves and their family,” said Neal.

As for the intruder who was wearing gloves and a mask at the time of the break-in, police are asking anyone with information to call the Bowie County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 798-3149.

About the author: S.H. Blannelberry is the News Editor of GunsAmerica.

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  • jay September 22, 2019, 5:18 am

    One thing she’s just darn lucky didn’t turn around and bite her! “I tried to kill him,” Roberson said. “Anybody break in on me, I’m going to kill them.” In some states, in some courts in any state, that statement in tandem with a shooting will be a fast track to the big house!
    Too many have suffered ill fates, not for their actions but for their words. Had the invader been of another race, there would be those just itching to call it a hate crime, on Granny!

  • Gus May 10, 2019, 5:27 pm

    Looser Tube took it off their channel, they don’t want grandma to live, they want everyone with a gun to to Die not protect them self’s

  • Mark from Bristol January 9, 2017, 9:44 pm

    That’s my Mom…except that mine is 82. She has a number of revolvers around her house. J-Frame styles because the “hammerless” triggers pull so easily, S&W and Ruger. She does have two Charter Arms (Pink Lady and Lavender something or other) that are double action revolvers that are a little hard for her to pull at 82, but she can. Each has a Crimson Trace laser so she doesn’t have to aim, per say. All that she needs to do, should she ever have to, is to paint the dot, pull the trigger. Her longest room is about 20′ long, so easy to do…paint the dot on the target, pull the trigger as many times as necessary. I take my mother, three sisters, and three nieces out onto my property quarterly so that they stay familiar with their sidearms and have for about a decade…38’s, .380, and one .41 magnum.

  • Ted January 7, 2017, 9:38 am

    I checked the law in my state (Indiana). A person has the right to shoot a person fleeing a felony. I this case, he committed a felony when he forced entry into her home. I had a similar situation with an attempted armed robbery in my place of business. I had the drop on the perp, decided not to shoot, and allowed him to escape. The DA here told me that I would not have faced any charges if I had shot the guy, as he had already committed a felony by attempting an armed robbery. You guys and gals might want to check your state laws also.
    Regards and God bless.

    • Keith January 7, 2017, 4:09 pm

      If someone is fleeing my house in a non-riot situation and no one is in danger I will very likely not shoot them. It is my decision. The possible legal hassle is just not worth it. I will shoot to protect me or loved ones against serious bodily injury or death.

    • jay September 21, 2019, 6:04 pm

      Better play it safe. Your local DA sounds like a gem but he’s probably rather the exception than the rule. Anti-gun Prosecutors have ways of “interpreting” laws to suit their agenda, and make juries, many now filled with anti-gun types, see things their way.
      Besides, there’s really no point of shooting someone if they’re fleeing. They’re no threat if they’re running therefore like as not no sound legal and certainly no moral reason to shoot.

  • Sjolin January 7, 2017, 3:36 am

    Some comments seem to be apologizing for the lady’s lack of accuracy. If this was a home invasion, proximity HAD to be close…..she doesn’t live in Biltmore House, after all. She says she calmly walked over and picked up her own roscoe and went to blazin’ away……what was this badass invader doing?? Standing there with a dumb look on his face? Come on, gents (and ladies)..this story has a faint odor of mullet surrounding it.

  • Geoling January 6, 2017, 10:37 pm

    WHAT?????
    “Every citizen, according to the Texas penal code, has the right to defend themselves and their family,” said Neal.
    “…according to Texas penal code…” WTH is this guy thinking? According to the inalienable right recognized by the 2nd Amendment EVERY CITIZEN, even in TX, has the right to defend oneself! TX penal code can’t give or remove this right, unless Texans allow it to be given…or TAKEN AWAY.

  • Henry C Goodman January 6, 2017, 3:44 pm

    why did she have a gun, she clearly doesn’t know how to use it!

    • Will Drider January 6, 2017, 10:33 pm

      The gun worked: stopped further threats of injury or death, sent thuggie running for his life. She might not hav3 hit him but the show and demonstration of force did turn the encounter 100% in her favor. Even LE misses a shot or two (dozen). Lol

  • Dilligaf January 6, 2017, 3:09 pm

    It’s open season (shoot to kill) on home invaders!!!

  • Roscoe P Coaltrain January 6, 2017, 9:48 am

    Even some of the most proficient shooters lose their composure in high stress situations (gunfights) emptying a high capacity clip and hitting nothing. A wheel gun makes that scenario even worse. Best home defense weapon is in my opinion a short barreled shotgun loaded with slugs. Point and shoot. She is very fortunate the invader turned and ran.

    • Switzerland January 6, 2017, 10:04 am

      Do you know what slugs are???
      How about a \”clip\”?

      • Daniel Braatz January 6, 2017, 5:46 pm

        I had the same questions

    • Jan N Zeiters January 6, 2017, 10:35 am

      Bird shot not slugs Try a duck load

  • DRAINO January 6, 2017, 7:37 am

    I would say maybe have the gun a little closer to the where she sits so she doesn’t have to get up to get it. But way to go, Grandma!!!

    AMERICANISM!!!! NOT Globalism!!!!!

  • Dan January 6, 2017, 7:23 am

    It is very likely that she was not as composed as the article suggests, unless she is a really bad shot. This is a very dangerous scenario, and she was lucky the perpetrator was such an idiot because if she couldn’t hit him from across the room, she probably would have ended up dead while her shots bounced off the ceiling and floor.

  • roger January 6, 2017, 6:27 am

    She needs training with her gun so she can hit the target , not the walls.

  • Pistolero pete January 6, 2017, 6:08 am

    Well done ma’am glad that the home invader didn’t send you back to your maker. I would suggest you get some training with that weapon of yours so in the eventuality of you ever becoming a victim again your aim will be true and straight….Have a safe and happy new year y’all

  • LAMan January 6, 2017, 6:06 am

    Yes, it truly always “depends.” Nonetheless, as a basic premise, your home is your castle. By violating it and forcing entry, the perp has forfeited his right to live. No way should the homeowner have to accept additional risk with someone who broke & entered in the first place.
    I realize some states have laws giving you a duty to retreat, etc. I recommend you move to a state where there is a more clear-headed understanding that you, the homeowner, have a right to defend you & yours.

  • LAMan January 6, 2017, 5:27 am

    Ma’am,
    I’d say it sounds like you have the “situational dynamics” figured out. They’re not complex, but a lot of people overanalyze it. Whoever he was and whatever he wanted doesn’t matter. He needed killing. Breaking and entering, home invasion, entering your bedroom at night and sticking a gun in your face? Too bad you missed, but you did extremely well, because you survived unhurt, very likely only because you defended yourself with a gun. Stood and delivered, like a Texas woman of the strongest type. You had a good, solid, old-fashioned understanding of the essence of the situation. Him or you.

    I hope you don’t lose a moment’s sleep over it. Would encourage you to get some better locks and maybe a watchdog, so if there ever IS a “next time,” you’ll be awake, ready, gun in hand if an intruder comes through your bedroom door.

    • Pedro Godoy January 6, 2017, 6:37 am

      I especially like the comment,”No charges are expected to be filed against Roberson.” Really? As if…

      • Penrod January 6, 2017, 2:58 pm

        If she had hit him after he had started fleeing i.e. He was no longer a threat, many states could charge her with murder, attempted murder, or in this case assault with a deadly weapon even though she missed him. Don’t have to like or agree with the law to suffer consequences for violating it. If he was fleeing, he was no longer an immediate threat.

        • Will Drider January 6, 2017, 10:58 pm

          A lot of cops are shot by fleeing criminals during foot chases. At any point where there was a clear line of fire he could have turned and shot at her. Was he fleeing or repositioning to cover after he saw her gun? Surely the shot helped him decide to haul ass. There are also some States with Laws against firing warning shots, so if your justified in pulling the gun, its better to shoot at the bad guy then try to scare him to stop his threatening action.

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