Convict Shot Dead After Kicking in Widower’s Door

Tony Webster/Flickr
Tony Webster/Flickr

On Friday, an intruder allegedly kicked in the door of an elderly Ohio widower, got shot, and died on the porch.

The alleged intruder was 31-year-old Michael Rinehart, who served four years in prison under burglary charges.

According to The Columbus Dispatch, the widower heard someone kicking in his door around noon. Shortly thereafter the widower called 911 and said, “Some guy broke into my house, and I shot him.”

The 911 dispatcher asked questions, to which the widower replied that the incident had “just happened,” that the “suspect was lying motionless at his door,” and that “he didn’t appear to be breathing.” Officers arrived minutes later and Rinehart was pronounced dead at 12:12 pm.

Police said “the door showed signs of being kicked in” and that the incident appeared to be “a case of self-defense.”

Columbus Police spokesman Sgt. Rich Weiner said, “Everyone has the right to protect their house.” But he also stressed that it’s “tragic” when an incident arises wherein one person has to take another person’s life.

Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com.

 

 

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