Lewis County Sheriff: People have to be prepared to protect themselves

"About the only thing I can say that the victim could have done differently (is that) he could have fired sooner, he could have fired more often, and he could have used a better brand of ammunition,"

CHEHALIS, Wash. — A homeowner shot an intruder in his Chehalis home early Sunday morning, said officials with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.  The incident happened at a home in the 400 block of State Route 603.

Lewis County Central Communications received a call at 4:47 a.m. asking for law enforcement at the residence.  A 24-year-old man reported that he was asleep with his wife in the house and heard talking outside. He called 911, armed himself with a pistol and waited for law enforcement to arrive.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Brian L. Creed, 51, entered the home and saw the homeowner standing in front of his bedroom door.  The homeowner told Creed to stop, but Creed continued to charge at the homeowner.

The Sheriff’s Office said the homeowner fired one shot at Creed, but Creed continued and tackled the homeowner. The two fought until the homeowner was able to disengage.  The homeowner held Creed at gunpoint until deputies arrived after 5 a.m.

During an investigation, detectives discovered Creed recently moved into a house nearby off Nix Road and admitted to deputies that he had used methamphetamine earlier in the day.  Creed was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital and then airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition.

He is in custody for burglary and assault.

"My office works very hard in ensuring people feel safe and secure in Lewis County. However, people have to be prepared to protect themselves in situations like this in their own homes.  Our response times are as fast we can make them, but there may be a time when you are by yourself and you are forced to make a life or death decision to protect yourself and your family, like this man did,” - Lewis County Sheriff Steve Mansfield. 

"About the only thing I can say that the victim could have done differently (is that) he could have fired sooner, he could have fired more often, and he could have used a better brand of ammunition,"  - Lewis County Sheriff Steve Mansfield. 

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/chehalis-homeowner-shoots-intruder/nWLJX/