Houston Resident Shoots Costumed Neighbor Who Tried to Enter Wrong Apartment

A Houston resident fired one round from an AR-15 at a costumed man forcing his way into his apartment early Thursday, USA Carry reports, citing FOX 26 Houston and KHOU 11. Police say the man, a neighbor, likely went to the wrong unit after a Halloween party.

Key points

• The scene: It happened around 2:20 a.m. at a complex on Bering Drive in Greater Uptown. Lt. R. Willkens said the resident was asleep on his couch, with his girlfriend and their 1-year-old in the bedroom.
• Before the door opened: Woken by someone kicking the door, he took his rifle and checked the peephole. Police say he looked for a weapon before opening, and his girlfriend did not recognize the man either.
• The confrontation: The man, dressed in an orange suit and top hat modeled on the "Dumb and Dumber" look, kept saying it was his apartment and rushing in. The resident pushed back, then fired once, hitting his upper body.
• Accounts differ: The resident told FOX 26 the man hit him before he fired; police describe him pushing back as the man rushed in.
• Status: The man was hospitalized in critical condition, and nobody has been charged.

Quick take

USA Carry writer Luke McCoy says the resident did several things right, such as checking the peephole and asking his girlfriend whether she knew the man. McCoy would weigh opening the door most, since a locked door buys time to call 911.

Read the full story at USA Carry.