SHERMAN OAKS, CA — NBA free agent and former Los Angeles Laker Christian Wood reportedly stopped an attempted home invasion in broad daylight by firing several rounds that scared off three suspects at an Airbnb rental in Sherman Oaks.
The incident occurred just before 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Wood was inside the Airbnb when he heard suspects attempting to enter through a back door. In response, he fired three to four shots into the ground, which caused the intruders to flee. No injuries were reported and nothing was taken from the home.
The suspects, described only as three individuals dressed in dark clothing and hoodies, fled the scene in a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee and remain at large.
The home, located on Otsego Street near Kester Avenue, was a short-term rental. One neighbor, interviewed on-scene, expressed surprise that someone staying at an Airbnb had a firearm. According to Airbnb policy, guests are required to disclose the presence of a firearm and obtain the host’s consent prior to check-in. It’s unclear whether that requirement was followed in this case.
Although Wood’s quick response appears to have prevented the suspects from entering the home, the decision to fire warning shots raises safety and legal concerns. In general, discharging a firearm as a warning can be legally risky and tactically unsound. Firing into the ground or air may endanger bystanders and does not necessarily stop a threat. The law typically allows the use of deadly force only when facing an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury.
In California, the use of a firearm in self-defense is permitted only under strict circumstances, and firing warning shots can sometimes lead to criminal charges if authorities determine the action was not legally justified. As of now, police have not indicated whether any charges are under consideration.
This incident also raises questions about the overlap between self-defense rights and short-term rental policies. Airbnb’s guidelines require guests to disclose the presence of a firearm and obtain the host’s consent before check-in. This is a platform-specific rule, not a legal requirement, meaning it’s not enforced by law enforcement but is part of the agreement between users and Airbnb.
Failing to follow it could lead to cancellation or penalties through the platform, but many lawful gun owners may reasonably decide not to disclose when staying briefly and storing a firearm securely—especially given that similar disclosure is not expected at hotels. Still, it’s worth being aware of both local laws and the policies of the place you’re staying, especially when traveling with a firearm.
As for the response itself, it’s fortunate that no one was harmed and that the suspects fled before causing further harm. While warning shots are legally risky—particularly in states like California—and discouraged, it’s understandable why someone might choose to act decisively in the face of an active home invasion. The key takeaway for gun owners is to be prepared not just with the means to defend themselves, but with a solid understanding of the legal landscape surrounding use of force.
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