For the second time in a span of about five years a Tulsa man had to use a firearm to defend himself from a home invader.
“This is the second time I shot someone,” said Charles Sweeny in a recent interview with Fox23 News. “I’ve escorted at gunpoint at least a half dozen people of the property.”
Police say that would-be burglar Donald Stovall climbed through a bathroom window of the man’s residence early Tuesday morning. It didn’t take long for Sweeny to arm himself with a handgun and confront the stranger.
“He comes into view and blam! Boy, that 9mm is really loud inside the house,” explained Sweeny.
After firing the shot, Sweeny called 911 at approximately 9 a.m. When authorities arrived, Stovall was pronounced dead at the scene.
“He brought this on himself,” said Sweeny. “I have no sympathy.”
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While an investigation is ongoing to solidify the burglary motive and to determine if the two knew each other prior to the confrontation, Capt. Karen Tipler with the Tulsa Police Dept. indicated that it appeared to be a case of lawful self-defense.
“If they (residents) feel that there is a danger to themselves or someone else who may be in the home from an intruder, then, yes, they are within their legal rights to defend themselves within their home,” Tipler said.
Back in Oct. of 2013, Sweeny shot one of two suspected burglars at the same residence, according to Sgt. Brandon Watkins. The invader, in that case, was seriously wounded but not killed. Both intruders pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the incident.
Asked if there was a connection between the two break-ins, Watkins said, “Each homicide investigation is like a snowflake: they’re all different. … What happened in the past doesn’t necessarily impact what happens this time.”
As for Sweeny, he had a message for anyone else who would attempt to burglarize his home.
“I thought my life was in danger. I shot him. And I’ll do it again,” he said.
I’d be as concerned about my home security after the first invasion. This guy climbed intern a bathroom window? Why was that so easy? Why is it I hear about people getting homes broken into multiple times? Golly, I’d want to move or turn my house into a frickin fortress!
Sometimes talk really isn’t cheap…
Sheesh…. that guy is “memorable” for sure. And the black detective?! Did she get that eye shadow sprayed on at the car repair shop? Is Tulsa full of characters or what.
Good for him! If I find someone uninvited in my house they will get the same thing.
i agree he had the right to shoot someone who broke into his home but he should shut his pie hole,especially to the press,most are not a gun owners friend.
I like the raw honesty and lack of political correctness the man has. Thats a weird looking guy, but its a good thing. We need more of this in the media.
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This man might consider hardening his home against breakins. Burglar bars over the windows and security doors. Motion activated outdoor lighting. An indoor dog and an outdoor dog. Alarm system?
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Might save on ammo also.
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John Bibb
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Why should he have to change anything about his house? It’s the criminal’s fault they’re there and now dead. Next thing you’ll say is he should move somewhere else. I say the more idiots that try to break in somewhere and die, the fewer idiots there’ll be in the world.
The condition of the house is going to draw burglars, copper scavengers, crack heads, etc, all looking for a quick grab or a nest.
As others point out, his motor mouth invites trouble and the wrong attention. As a law professor told his class, ‘I can sue you because I don’t like your looks. The case may never be heard… thrown out, but it will cost someone to wade through the legal sand traps.
3…2..1.. Que the “family attorney ” of the deceased. “The home owner through his own words displayed a wanton and callous disregard for human life.” Yeah dink keep running your mouth- you just pulled the cork out of the bottom of the rowboat. Never talk to the press!
He could have done without the “Blam” thing, TMI, a high paid NY lawer could deffinately use that as “Braggign from a gun nut”. He’s lucky the first guy pleaded guitly. The less you say the better, just the facts.
Nothing wrong protecting your home,BUT watch what you say.
The comments coming from the victim does not detract from the fact that unauthorized people broke into his home in an attempt to do harm to him. His comments should serve as a WARNING to others that they are taking their lives in their own hands if they attempt to invade his home.
I agree with you Frankie. Say the words that need to be said only. I feared for my life so I shot him. Make the 911 call requesting police and medical for a home intruder and be done with talking.
Yep. I had the same thing happened and I will handle each incident according to need. My family is armed and trained too. Home is not an automatic safe space today.
Do what you have to do……………just don’t play buckaroo with the comments. They always come back somewhere, sometime.
Really not a good idea to be saying that “no sympathy” and “I’ll do it again” stuff. Use your right to remain silent. The grand jury, hand-picked by the DA and packed with liberals, is sure to look unfavorably on that. Same with those terrorist hunting permits you used to see on people’s cars a few years back. If you should accidentally collide with someone, they’ll make you out to be a bloodthirsty psycho.
Agreed, if a civil case is filed, and it probably will be, those kinds of comments can come back to haunt you.