DUENWEG, MO — A man was shot in the hand during a struggle over his own firearm after confronting an intruder who had broken into a laundromat early Wednesday morning. The suspect, identified as Jerry Smith of Galena, Kansas, was later apprehended and now faces multiple charges, including burglary, assault, and firearm theft.
According to the Duenweg Police Department, officers responded to a shooting at the 66 Coin and Laundry around 7:15 a.m. on January 31. When they arrived, they found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the hand. Emergency responders transported him to a local hospital before he was transferred to Kansas City for surgery.
Investigators determined that Smith had previously burglarized the laundromat and returned, not expecting anyone to be there. However, the victim—who was staying inside the building—emerged from his room and saw Smith using stolen keys to access a dispenser’s coin slot. Armed with a firearm, the victim ordered the suspect to leave.
Rather than fleeing, Smith feigned fear and pleaded with the victim not to hurt him before suddenly rushing forward and grabbing for the firearm. A struggle ensued, during which the suspect managed to wrestle the firearm away and discharge it, striking the victim in the hand. Smith then fled the scene to a nearby gas station, where he had a getaway vehicle waiting.
Authorities worked throughout the day, reviewing security footage and gathering witness statements. Later, law enforcement tracked Smith to a residence in Duquesne, Missouri. When officers attempted to stop him, he tried to flee back into the home but was taken into custody before he could do so.
Smith is currently being held at the Joplin City Jail on charges out of Duquesne before being transferred to Jasper County to face additional charges, including burglary, assault, and theft of a firearm.
Maintaining Distance in a Self-Defense Encounter
This incident highlights the importance of maintaining control and distance when confronting an intruder. Like a recent case in Florida, the victim in this situation ordered the suspect to leave. However, the suspect took advantage of the situation by acting compliant before closing the distance and grabbing for the firearm.
While it is understandable to want to give an intruder a chance to flee, allowing them to get too close can be dangerous. In this case, the victim was fortunate to have survived with only a hand injury, but the outcome could have been much worse. A determined attacker can cover short distances quickly, especially if they are feigning submission to catch their victim off guard.
When armed in a self-defense situation, it is crucial to maintain a safe distance, issue clear commands from a position of advantage, and be prepared to act if the threat does not immediately comply. Training in weapon retention and close-quarters defense can also be life-saving skills in situations where an attacker attempts to disarm you.
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