OAKLAND, CA – Two criminals looking to cash in after breaking into an occupied residence were met by a 75-year-old woman who had no problem using the Second Amendment to protect herself.
According to authorities, just after 2:00 a.m., on July 26th, a home invasion robbery was executed at a residence near the Oakland Zoo in the hills on Ettrick Street in the Chabot Park neighborhood.
The two intruders were armed and forced their way into the occupied residence, kicking down the front door. Once inside, they began rummaging around, looking for valuables and eventually headed towards the bedroom.
When the criminals broke in, the 75-year-old woman, who was home alone at the time, pulled out her .357 Magnum and fired one round towards the suspects. Police said that in response to her one shot, the suspects returned fire, shooting nearly 20 times at the elderly woman.
Before fleeing the scene, the men left with valuables, including jewelry. Thankfully, the elderly woman was not injured during the home invasion, and according to the police, there were no reports of any physical injuries.
In response to the violent incident, one neighbor, Calvin Walker, said, “She had the presence of mind to reach into her nightstand and get a weapon. And she had it under her covers, and when she saw an opening, she fired a shot."
Confirming that the intruders fired off several rounds of ammunition, Walker said, “We went over afterwards and we saw gunshots all in the walls."
Another neighbor, Dave Lederer, believe that the elderly woman did the right thing, by firing at the intruders, adding, “This woman is a hero. She kept her wits about her."
The victim’s daughter, who did not share her name, told KTVU, “It’s absolutely unbelievable what she was able to do. It’s amazing. She is a superwoman. We’re all just lauding her and just amazed at her wherewithal."
She said that this incident should serve as a warning to those who continue breaking the law, adding, “I believe that this is a message also for the criminals, that the people of Oakland, we’re tired of the lawlessness. People are standing up. People are fighting back."
Another neighbor, Lynn Baranco, agreed with the victim’s daughter, saying, “They’re really - they’re playing with their lives because all these people out here are armed."
Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid, who represents the area and is a family friend of the victim, added, “It’s a miracle that she’s alive after the number of shots that were fired in her home."
The home intruders are still on the run and this is an active investigation within the Oakland Police Department.
Nearly a week after the home invasion, hundreds of people around the city of Oakland held block parties for its annual National Night Out, which according to CBS News, happens on August 1st every year.
The event is part of a national “community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships” and in Oakland specifically, organizers of the event, said that they are trying to bring the community together at a time when crime just will not let up.
A neighbor to the 75-year-old elderly woman who was shot at nearly 20 times in her own home and who did not want to be identified, fearing he would be the next target, said, “She’s still in jeopardy being an elderly woman trying to protect herself."
He said that his entire neighborhood is on edge, adding, “This neighborhood used to be nice and quiet. The only thing you had to worry about were the skunks and raccoons and opossums and stuff like that in your yard."
Another concern for the residents of Oakland is that police are unable to respond to 911 calls in a timely manner, and not because they don’t want to. According to Barry Donelan, president of the Oakland Police Officers Association, “Most of us in the police department don’t feel that the level of service we are providing with as few police officers as we have is at a level that our residents want."
According to the Oakland Police Officers’ Union, there are 712 budgeted positions for officers, which is the lowest in nearly 20 years. This also means that there are fewer officers to respond to the high level of 911 calls.
Donelan added that events like National Night Out are crucial because it provides an opportunity for officers and members of the community to talk. Corey Vason, with Acts Full Gospel Church, a local church participating in National Night Out, said, “People are afraid. People are nervous. And so to have an event like this now, shows that we can come together without violence, without mayhem, without being afraid."
According to authorities, just after 2:00 a.m., on July 26th, a home invasion robbery was executed at a residence near the Oakland Zoo in the hills on Ettrick Street in the Chabot Park neighborhood.
The two intruders were armed and forced their way into the occupied residence, kicking down the front door. Once inside, they began rummaging around, looking for valuables and eventually headed towards the bedroom.
When the criminals broke in, the 75-year-old woman, who was home alone at the time, pulled out her .357 Magnum and fired one round towards the suspects. Police said that in response to her one shot, the suspects returned fire, shooting nearly 20 times at the elderly woman.
Before fleeing the scene, the men left with valuables, including jewelry. Thankfully, the elderly woman was not injured during the home invasion, and according to the police, there were no reports of any physical injuries.
In response to the violent incident, one neighbor, Calvin Walker, said, “She had the presence of mind to reach into her nightstand and get a weapon. And she had it under her covers, and when she saw an opening, she fired a shot."
Confirming that the intruders fired off several rounds of ammunition, Walker said, “We went over afterwards and we saw gunshots all in the walls."
Another neighbor, Dave Lederer, believe that the elderly woman did the right thing, by firing at the intruders, adding, “This woman is a hero. She kept her wits about her."
The victim’s daughter, who did not share her name, told KTVU, “It’s absolutely unbelievable what she was able to do. It’s amazing. She is a superwoman. We’re all just lauding her and just amazed at her wherewithal."
She said that this incident should serve as a warning to those who continue breaking the law, adding, “I believe that this is a message also for the criminals, that the people of Oakland, we’re tired of the lawlessness. People are standing up. People are fighting back."
Another neighbor, Lynn Baranco, agreed with the victim’s daughter, saying, “They’re really - they’re playing with their lives because all these people out here are armed."
Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid, who represents the area and is a family friend of the victim, added, “It’s a miracle that she’s alive after the number of shots that were fired in her home."
The home intruders are still on the run and this is an active investigation within the Oakland Police Department.
Nearly a week after the home invasion, hundreds of people around the city of Oakland held block parties for its annual National Night Out, which according to CBS News, happens on August 1st every year.
The event is part of a national “community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships” and in Oakland specifically, organizers of the event, said that they are trying to bring the community together at a time when crime just will not let up.
A neighbor to the 75-year-old elderly woman who was shot at nearly 20 times in her own home and who did not want to be identified, fearing he would be the next target, said, “She’s still in jeopardy being an elderly woman trying to protect herself."
He said that his entire neighborhood is on edge, adding, “This neighborhood used to be nice and quiet. The only thing you had to worry about were the skunks and raccoons and opossums and stuff like that in your yard."
Another concern for the residents of Oakland is that police are unable to respond to 911 calls in a timely manner, and not because they don’t want to. According to Barry Donelan, president of the Oakland Police Officers Association, “Most of us in the police department don’t feel that the level of service we are providing with as few police officers as we have is at a level that our residents want."
According to the Oakland Police Officers’ Union, there are 712 budgeted positions for officers, which is the lowest in nearly 20 years. This also means that there are fewer officers to respond to the high level of 911 calls.
Donelan added that events like National Night Out are crucial because it provides an opportunity for officers and members of the community to talk. Corey Vason, with Acts Full Gospel Church, a local church participating in National Night Out, said, “People are afraid. People are nervous. And so to have an event like this now, shows that we can come together without violence, without mayhem, without being afraid."
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