Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

jmbar2

(7,230 posts)
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 10:52 AM Saturday

Houston homeowner kills two masked, armed men claiming to be law-enforcement with warrant

I've been lifelong anti-gun, but recent events are causing me to reevaluate. I support this homeowner's decision.

&t=65s
131 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Houston homeowner kills two masked, armed men claiming to be law-enforcement with warrant (Original Post) jmbar2 Saturday OP
Those men were obviously burglars and not ICE DBoon Saturday #1
Sorta sounds to me popsdenver Saturday #71
The "Wild Wild West" is a myth. Lochloosa Saturday #89
OF COURSE! The most famous western gunfight in Tombstone AZ Jack Valentino Saturday #98
There was an ordinance in Tombstone Oeditpus Rex Sunday #104
All also true, but acting town Marshall Virgil Earp's intention to disarm the Clanton gang Jack Valentino Sunday #131
Yes.. The 1870's+. The era of selling children for factory and farm work. The era of plutocracy that was gone LiberalArkie Sunday #122
You won the internet today choie Sunday #127
I'm with you... FirstLight Saturday #2
So that's what happened to their brains. pandr32 Saturday #38
Real or not, ICE agents have been acting like criminals newdeal2 Saturday #3
This! FakeNoose Saturday #18
Many ICE agents are the J6 criminals whom 45* pardoned. groundloop Saturday #68
Yep....or rogue cops that have been fired and now have their wet dream come true Bengus81 Sunday #124
It's impossible to tell the criminals (ICE) from the criminals. Ferrets are Cool Saturday #4
The criminals are more honest. They tell you they want your money or whatever. Wonder Why Saturday #6
Murdering Nazis And Murdering Crooks Are Two Turds In The Same Stinkin' Crock MayReasonRule Saturday #57
Something something let God sort 'em out. Grokenstein Saturday #72
This will not be the last time. MineralMan Saturday #5
Unfortunately - you CAN "just yell and break down the door" stopdiggin Saturday #9
That requires a warrant, though, that specifies "no knock." MineralMan Saturday #33
Yes. And we both wander a little afield here ... stopdiggin Saturday #37
Frankly, I don't know what happened in that incident. MineralMan Saturday #40
Exactly. If they are masked and don't have a warrant, and end up sho, KPN Saturday #51
But it's Texas. rubbersole Saturday #69
Or your relationship with the current powers. erronis Saturday #82
Juries have found people innocent when shooting at police NickB79 Saturday #87
The police spokeswoman EndlessWire Saturday #11
The intruders did say they were there to serve a warrant (00:22) jmbar2 Saturday #16
You just expanded my vocabulary - curtilage. 3catwoman3 Saturday #31
I looked it up too. Mossfern Saturday #62
Yes, that the 2 dead people apparently shot first seems the most important part of the story muriel_volestrangler Saturday #58
The same cops that shot an unarmed woman in her bed. Conjuay Saturday #86
Armed knock politely kiri Saturday #12
The murderer of the Minnesota legislators: Melissa Hartman and John Hoffman claimed to be a police officer question everything Saturday #13
Exactly Roxi Saturday #15
Yes, exactly. Anyone can "claim" to be the police. MineralMan Saturday #36
Trump's ICE tactics will be to blame when real cops with warrants are gunned down by fearful and suspicious citizens. sop Saturday #44
Will they be blamed, though? Shipwack Saturday #60
Jurors, although a part of the system in that they are soldierant Saturday #83
That's assuming that these cases go before a jury. A judicial ruling or political interference erronis Saturday #84
This being Houston, the grand jury will no bill. cloudbase Saturday #7
As they should.. TnDem Saturday #14
Depending on the race of the homeowners. nt Wednesdays Saturday #24
Whoever authorized ICE to wear masks inspired this, Heidi Saturday #8
That simple malaise Saturday #22
They'll eventually tell them to wear white robes and white pointy hats, Bayard Saturday #55
I doubt that. They're too gutless to be so obviously Heidi Saturday #56
Oops! 2naSalit Saturday #10
That was only a matter of time. tanyev Saturday #17
I've been saying this since Krasnov got re-elected kkmarie Saturday #28
You can still be anti-gun swong19104 Saturday #19
I suppose they could have stabbed a sword through the door jmbar2 Saturday #20
Happens not only in the big cities... slightlv Saturday #45
That ship sailed Hornedfrog2000 Saturday #50
Yep TommyT139 Saturday #54
After the assailant has shot through the door? Really, Heidi Saturday #53
How about a spoon? That would be as effective. Dave Bowman Saturday #65
It can be better. See this short clip: Wonder Why Saturday #95
He could have used a large can of beans... sarisataka Saturday #66
Before or after MorbidButterflyTat Saturday #81
Not if they have a gun. nt Susan Calvin Saturday #80
Wake up call for America's Gestapo. republianmushroom Saturday #21
I like that she calls them suspects numerous times Norbert Saturday #23
"And, uh, yeah" Aviation Pro Saturday #25
What will the NRA say? multigraincracker Saturday #26
Yes, if true this could cause a great disturbance in MAGA circles. tanyev Saturday #29
The whole purpose of the 2nd Amendment Mz Pip Saturday #30
Because they have case going up the line TommyT139 Saturday #63
This kind of event might explain why ICE, et.al., don't seem to be going after actual criminals The Madcap Saturday #27
DOJ will probably go after the homeowners Bobstandard Saturday #32
Actually, that's sound logic! 70sEraVet Saturday #46
Anybody can go online and purchase a badge and official looking patches to put on tactical gear Attilatheblond Saturday #61
But going after gangs and real criminals is not the purpose. It is to terrorize the populace. erronis Saturday #85
Yeah, this IS about terrorizing and probably trying to trigger us to violence so they can bring in tanks Attilatheblond Saturday #97
MAGA loves the confusion and chaos. This is by design IronLionZion Saturday #34
Exactly, Hornedfrog2000 Saturday #48
Good point... slightlv Saturday #49
The Secret Police have arrived. thought crime Saturday #88
I suspect this is one of many incidents to come related to ICE Jarqui Saturday #35
I expected it to happen sooner, gab13by13 Saturday #39
Texas Stand Your Ground backs this homeowners decision to protect his home MagickMuffin Saturday #41
Tricky 'cause if you kill actual LEO, you'll probably end up dead yourself Kaleva Saturday #42
Well, police aint knocking at the door for real long Hornedfrog2000 Saturday #47
Yup, time to start shooting masked people Hornedfrog2000 Saturday #43
Bound to happen again. nt Exp Saturday #52
Criminals impersonating LEO isn't anything new Kaleva Sunday #119
It seems that the two weren't actually law enforcement markodochartaigh Saturday #59
Thugs pretending to be thugs. Ping Tung Saturday #64
Sounds justfied to me. Stood his ground against thugs. Ritabert Saturday #67
Whether it is determined to be justifiable will likely depend on the race(s) Heidi Sunday #108
This is more of a Castle Doctrine case then a Stand Your Ground case Kaleva Sunday #121
This is plain old self-defense because they were fired at. LeftInTX Sunday #126
Agree. I very much doubt charges will be filed Kaleva Sunday #128
If anything, I'm surprised there hasn't been more of this...but there definitely will be. When it's impossible to tell Karasu Saturday #70
Any masked up individuals trying to crash through my door would meet the same resistance. GoodRaisin Saturday #73
Any update to this story? senseandsensibility Saturday #74
I looked... littlemissmartypants Saturday #75
Thanks! senseandsensibility Saturday #77
My pleasure. ❤️ littlemissmartypants Saturday #79
If they were LE, we would have found out by now. LeftInTX Saturday #92
Not enough information yet. Sneederbunk Saturday #76
I got a handgun, training, and a license to carry right after the election. Susan Calvin Saturday #78
Here's KPRC-TV Channel 2's version red dog 1 Saturday #90
That seems like a LONG time to investigate jmbar2 Saturday #93
... orangecrush Saturday #91
My hubby approves of this version senseandsensibility Sunday #129
Don't know orangecrush Sunday #130
And so DiverDave Saturday #94
So MAGATs have succeeded in totally undermining trust in law enforcement. We will shoot them on sight in future of they Martin68 Saturday #96
Their body armor didn't help them. LudwigPastorius Saturday #99
Body armor doesn't cover the head. LisaL Saturday #100
That's what you get when cops wear masks, doc03 Saturday #101
Somebody will need a new door! Aussie105 Sunday #102
Just another day in the fucking nightmare hellscape that is Donald Trump's America. Initech Sunday #103
Why does it feel like we're in the fast lane toward Hell? calimary Sunday #105
We've been here since 2016. Initech Sunday #106
It will be interesting to learn the races of the home occupant and the assailants. Heidi Sunday #107
I don't get the impression that people are too "shocked" by this crime. LeftInTX Sunday #109
Wow! People aren't shocked by armed, masked, badge-wearing Heidi Sunday #110
It's a home invasion. LeftInTX Sunday #111
I agree that it's a home invasion. Heidi Sunday #112
I don't think the residents will be charged and the shooters probably knew (targeted) the homeowners. LeftInTX Sunday #113
I hope you're right. Heidi Sunday #115
I'm in San Antonio, 200 miles away. I'm just looking at the news stories and there isn't much. Just a rehash of this LeftInTX Sunday #116
Criminals impersonating LEO isn't anything new Kaleva Sunday #120
That's true but do we need more of it? Heidi Sunday #123
The zip code is 81% Hispanic LeftInTX Sunday #117
Noted. Do you think the home occupants were targeted Heidi Sunday #118
I have no idea, but I kinda doubt it. LeftInTX Sunday #125
Whoever and whatever those two men were, they were in dire need of a dirt nap. Crunchy Frog Sunday #114

DBoon

(24,152 posts)
1. Those men were obviously burglars and not ICE
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 10:55 AM
Saturday

No ICE agent would ever claim to have a warrant

popsdenver

(292 posts)
71. Sorta sounds to me
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 03:50 PM
Saturday

like Bounty Hunters that had the wrong address.......(or maybe even the right address) The Bounty hunters tactics are not a lot different than were displayed by these two victims.......Then again Bounty hunters don't actually (legally) carry firearms, or not allowed by law.....
Of course it was TEXAS and every man woman and child over the age of 12 probably carries a side arm legally down there.....

I gotta tell you.......Not only are the Republicans taking us back to the "Gilded Age" with "Robber Barrons" they are taking us back to the "Wild Wild West"

Lochloosa

(16,580 posts)
89. The "Wild Wild West" is a myth.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 07:26 PM
Saturday

The “Old West” conjures up all sorts of imagery, but broadly, the term is used to evoke life among the crusty prospectors, threadbare gold panners, madams of brothels, and six-shooter-packing cowboys in small frontier towns – such as Tombstone, Deadwood, Dodge City, or Abilene, to name a few. One other thing these cities had in common: strict gun control laws.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/gun-control-old-west-180968013/

Jack Valentino

(3,073 posts)
98. OF COURSE! The most famous western gunfight in Tombstone AZ
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 10:48 PM
Saturday

with the Earp brothers representing the law against the Clanton gang,
was provoked by the Earp's attempt to enforce Tombstone's
prohibition against carrying guns in town....

The old "wild west" had a lot more sense about gun control
than the Republicans of 2025....



(I think the problem might be that the Republicans haven't not had enough illegal guns pointed at them....
They all live in the 'good neighborhoods'... ?)


Oeditpus Rex

(42,418 posts)
104. There was an ordinance in Tombstone
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 12:54 AM
Sunday

requiring firearms and knives to be turned in while in the town limits, but that wasn't the reason for the gunfight. The Clantons (distant relatives of mine on my mom's side), who were horse thieves and cattle rustlers, among other things, had a long-standing feud with the three Earp brothersand Doc Holliday (who was no angel himself).

The night before the gunfight, Billy Clanton and Holliday had a heated public argument (which almost resulted in Holliday being jailed by U.S. Marshall Virgil Earp) over something Holliday had been told Billy had said about killing Holliday. The gunfight sprang from that, as well as from the feud.

Jack Valentino

(3,073 posts)
131. All also true, but acting town Marshall Virgil Earp's intention to disarm the Clanton gang
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 10:38 PM
Sunday

if they were carrying guns outside of the corral on town streets (which had been repeatedly reported)
was the 'legal reason' for which they made their way towards the back-side of the OK Corral which exited
into the vacant lot between the Fly's photographic studio and the boarding-house where Doc lived,
where the confrontation and gunfight actually took place.

Several eyewitnesses reported that Virgil Earp ordered them to throw up their hands,
that he intended to disarm them.... but they moved to draw their weapons and fire instead,
which several of the Earp party also did almost simultaneously.

(Other eye-witnesses, notably County Sheriff Behan, who was friendly with the outlaws,
made contradictory testimony, but it seems they were lying.)

The immediate reason for the gunfight was the Earp's intent to disarm the Clantons & co.,
thereby enforcing the town's gun control ordinance--

but YES, the previous hostility between the two factions did much to cause the deadly results.


Virgil Earp was acting town Marshall in Tombstone, not a U.S. Marshall.

Wyatt Earp was a Deputy U.S. Marshall with jurisdiction over a large portion of Arizona
of which Tombstone was a part, although not Tombstone in particular.

(I've read numerous books about this gunfight, being one of my favorite historical topics--
and was lucky enough to be able to visit the actual site on one of my visits to Arizona!)


LiberalArkie

(18,799 posts)
122. Yes.. The 1870's+. The era of selling children for factory and farm work. The era of plutocracy that was gone
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 09:48 AM
Sunday

for a bit but now back.

FirstLight

(15,681 posts)
2. I'm with you...
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 10:56 AM
Saturday

I've never been around guns. Except my dad's .22 that he used to kill rattlesnakes at the Ranch when I was a kid... and I learned how to shoot a bb gun as a kid.

But I'm thinking I might sign up for a class and get one. being a single woman alone in the forest, it might be a good idea of the Zombies/'MAGAts come for us...

pandr32

(13,336 posts)
38. So that's what happened to their brains.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:34 PM
Saturday

They were eaten by zombies and for some...worms!

newdeal2

(3,688 posts)
3. Real or not, ICE agents have been acting like criminals
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 11:00 AM
Saturday

Maybe they should start acting like professionals instead. You know, remove the masks and show their paperwork and not tackle innocent people or snatch up kids off the street and load them into unmarked vans.

FakeNoose

(38,345 posts)
18. This!
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 11:54 AM
Saturday

The "thugly" behavior has to end, otherwise ICE agents will become targets everywhere.

It sure sounds like these particular masked men were not employed ICE agents. The government needs to clarify immediately.


Grokenstein

(6,125 posts)
72. Something something let God sort 'em out.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 04:17 PM
Saturday

It should be obvious at this late stage, that's going to be what it takes to end this.

MineralMan

(149,673 posts)
5. This will not be the last time.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 11:02 AM
Saturday

What will happen to the homeowners? Remains to be seen, but the two "cops" are deceased. Clearly, people are getting the message that shouting that you have a warrant is no guarantee that the shouters are actual LEOs. So, what do you do if this happens and you are in your home? That is a question that is going to be asked more and more frequently when masked men with no clear identity as LEOS demand entry.

People are going to have to think about such situations and decide how they will react if a similar thing happens to them. Armed people are more likely to decide to defend their premises when no evidence of authority is presented. What will the courts say? Well, in the past, they have said that homeowners in such situations are justified in defending their homes if there is no clear identity of authority presented. You can't just yell and break down the door. If you do, in many states, you're likely to die.

stopdiggin

(14,264 posts)
9. Unfortunately - you CAN "just yell and break down the door"
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 11:15 AM
Saturday

It's call 'no knock' - and LE (of numerous stripe) have been employing it in this fine country for quite some time.

stopdiggin

(14,264 posts)
37. Yes. And we both wander a little afield here ...
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:31 PM
Saturday

In that this does not seem to be what occurred here

MineralMan

(149,673 posts)
40. Frankly, I don't know what happened in that incident.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:38 PM
Saturday

We will find out, of course, eventually.

My point, though, is that amateur "cops" like those that are running around with masks on and abusing their authority need to think longer about what they're doing, particularly if it involves people in their homes. Not everyone is just going to go along with your "raid."

KPN

(16,867 posts)
51. Exactly. If they are masked and don't have a warrant, and end up sho,
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:14 PM
Saturday

the court’s could and should side with homeowner. I’m sure we shall see. What an unnecessary and ignorant mess.

rubbersole

(10,308 posts)
69. But it's Texas.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 03:36 PM
Saturday

'Justice' is a quaint afterthought. It depends on the hue of the person's skin.

erronis

(21,069 posts)
82. Or your relationship with the current powers.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 06:14 PM
Saturday

Shucks, pal. Looks like you made an honest mistake. All charges dismissed.

Or "String him up!"

NickB79

(20,057 posts)
87. Juries have found people innocent when shooting at police
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 06:59 PM
Saturday

Last edited Sat Aug 23, 2025, 08:13 PM - Edit history (1)

During the Floyd riots here in Minnesota, for example.

https://minnesotareformer.com/2022/05/17/minneapolis-to-pay-1-5-million-to-settle-jaleel-stallings-lawsuit/

Dude got shot at on the street with rubber bullets by police in an unmarked van and returned fire with a legally owned AK47 pistol variant he was carrying for self defense. Not guilty and got paid $1.5 million.

EndlessWire

(8,058 posts)
11. The police spokeswoman
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 11:32 AM
Saturday

on the video said that the two deceased persons shot through the door first, causing the homeowner to return fire through the door, killing them.

If the two were standing in the curtilage of the home, they needed a warrant to be there. There was no warrant mentioned in the press conference.

What cop shoots through a door without first being fired on? Strange stuff.

3catwoman3

(27,504 posts)
31. You just expanded my vocabulary - curtilage.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:22 PM
Saturday
- autocorrect just tried to change it to cartilage.

Mossfern

(4,273 posts)
62. I looked it up too.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:40 PM
Saturday

Now I need to use it three times in order to own it.

The door to door salesman was encroaching the curtilage to my home, so I let my dog out.
Hey! I got a red line under "curtilage" Spell correct needs to learn a new word too.

muriel_volestrangler

(104,418 posts)
58. Yes, that the 2 dead people apparently shot first seems the most important part of the story
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:26 PM
Saturday

rather than a claim of a warrant, or whether they showed anything they thought looked like a warrant.

question everything

(50,836 posts)
13. The murderer of the Minnesota legislators: Melissa Hartman and John Hoffman claimed to be a police officer
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 11:36 AM
Saturday

Roxi

(2,185 posts)
15. Exactly
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 11:43 AM
Saturday

The time for politely answering the door when “law enforcement” knocks is no longer a safe option for most of us. (To be honest, for many people in this country, it was never safe, but that’s a discussion for another time.)

MineralMan

(149,673 posts)
36. Yes, exactly. Anyone can "claim" to be the police.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:30 PM
Saturday

Normally, there are flashing lights on vehicles and no masks on the LEOs. That seems to have changed, which opens the door to non-LEOs pretenting to be LEOs and busting down doors. That's why this won't be the last time this happens.

sop

(15,648 posts)
44. Trump's ICE tactics will be to blame when real cops with warrants are gunned down by fearful and suspicious citizens.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:00 PM
Saturday

After watching ICE's bully goons running wild, a lot of jurors will begin to see it as a justifiable act of self defense.

Shipwack

(2,822 posts)
60. Will they be blamed, though?
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:34 PM
Saturday

They should be. However, since the judicial system is so pro-law enforcement, I think they’ll side the ICE thugs even if they’re masked and not showing ID.

IT’s a damned if you shoot them, and damned if you don’t shoot them.

This is what the fascists want: fear and confusion.

soldierant

(8,853 posts)
83. Jurors, although a part of the system in that they are
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 06:17 PM
Saturday

required for most convictions, are not a part of the system in the sense of feeling like partners to law enforcement and therefore being pro-them. That could make a difference.

erronis

(21,069 posts)
84. That's assuming that these cases go before a jury. A judicial ruling or political interference
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 06:18 PM
Saturday

might force a favorable outcome for the goons.

 

TnDem

(1,390 posts)
14. As they should..
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 11:40 AM
Saturday

There shouldn't be any ramifications if these two were impersonating police officers with the intent to rob the homeowner. There should be a commendation for effective self defense.

If so, good shoot, and no bill from me if I were on the grand jury.

Heidi

(58,474 posts)
8. Whoever authorized ICE to wear masks inspired this,
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 11:15 AM
Saturday

just as they’ve inspired racists to mask up and dress in tactical gear to harass and assault people of color. There’ll be more of this as Trump and his thugs continue to model and validate brutality.

Bayard

(26,608 posts)
55. They'll eventually tell them to wear white robes and white pointy hats,
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:23 PM
Saturday

With their masks.

Homeowners should start telling these goons to show their badges. Or is that illegal now?

Most states have stand your ground laws anymore.

tanyev

(47,555 posts)
17. That was only a matter of time.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 11:46 AM
Saturday

How long until Dear Leader Trump takes away everybody’s guns??

kkmarie

(308 posts)
28. I've been saying this since Krasnov got re-elected
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:07 PM
Saturday

The regime will have to take aways guns. But I think the regime will use the voters records they are desperately trying to get. Anyone who voted against Krasnov will have their weapons taken away first. Next will be the magas, as soon as it becomes apparent that they woke up and see the damage.

RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES NOW

swong19104

(496 posts)
19. You can still be anti-gun
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 11:55 AM
Saturday

Homeowner could kill them with knives, bat, golf club…

To be sure, a gun is much more efficient, but a knife or sword can do a similar death blow without any errant damage to neighbors.

jmbar2

(7,230 posts)
20. I suppose they could have stabbed a sword through the door
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 11:58 AM
Saturday

but it would not have been as effective.

I do agree that any gunshots in a populated area can have disastrous unintended consequences. I used to live in Houston where celebratory gunfire is common on holidays. Every year there are deaths due to it.

slightlv

(6,411 posts)
45. Happens not only in the big cities...
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:01 PM
Saturday
celebratory gunfire is common on holidays


We get it especially on the 4th (of course) and New Year's. That's at least twice a year I have to calm my dog with sedatives. This year, they even started in on Memorial Day!

Hornedfrog2000

(783 posts)
50. That ship sailed
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:06 PM
Saturday

We are literally at a point where they will be trying to disarm DEMOCRATS. Pretty sad a lot of us are planning to arm ourselves, very soon.

TommyT139

(1,747 posts)
54. Yep
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:21 PM
Saturday

And I speculate that more rethugs have unregistered weapons, given different regulations between red and blue states.

They can't take it if they don't know you have it.

Heidi

(58,474 posts)
53. After the assailant has shot through the door? Really,
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:21 PM
Saturday

you recommend countering *that* with a knife, bat or golf club?

sarisataka

(21,931 posts)
66. He could have used a large can of beans...
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:47 PM
Saturday

Disarm them after knocking them unconscious, no one dies

Norbert

(7,269 posts)
23. I like that she calls them suspects numerous times
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:04 PM
Saturday

because that is exactly what they are/were,

multigraincracker

(36,151 posts)
26. What will the NRA say?
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:06 PM
Saturday

One would think they must back, support and help in the defense of the home Owen. Even if it turns out they were ICE agents.

tanyev

(47,555 posts)
29. Yes, if true this could cause a great disturbance in MAGA circles.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:12 PM
Saturday

But I assume they would try to figure out how to confiscate guns only from certain types/groups/races of people they identify as problems.

Mz Pip

(28,200 posts)
30. The whole purpose of the 2nd Amendment
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:21 PM
Saturday

Is to give citizens the means to defend themselves against a corrupt government. The NRA has been pretty silent about the 2nd Amendment recently.

TommyT139

(1,747 posts)
63. Because they have case going up the line
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:44 PM
Saturday

...to the SC, and don't want to remind people that winning more than they lose means their plans are working.

The Madcap

(1,421 posts)
27. This kind of event might explain why ICE, et.al., don't seem to be going after actual criminals
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:06 PM
Saturday

Gang-types would likely shoot first, as they have nothing to lose.

Bobstandard

(1,989 posts)
32. DOJ will probably go after the homeowners
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:23 PM
Saturday

Resisting even fake agents puts the real agents at risk will be the logic.

70sEraVet

(4,782 posts)
46. Actually, that's sound logic!
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:02 PM
Saturday

How is the average homeowner to be held responsible, if they can't differentiate between the real and the fake officials?
The 'real' officials need to start dressing and ACTING like real officials!

Attilatheblond

(6,961 posts)
61. Anybody can go online and purchase a badge and official looking patches to put on tactical gear
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:36 PM
Saturday

ICE needs to be in REAL, standard uniforms with clear badges. And they need to behave civilly, not just act like a mob attacking people and tossing them in vehicles.

People are gonna stop just watching and hoping a kidnapping was legit law enforcement. And ICE needs to GO WHERE THE GANGS ARE, not just where peaceful people are going about their lives.

erronis

(21,069 posts)
85. But going after gangs and real criminals is not the purpose. It is to terrorize the populace.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 06:33 PM
Saturday

No better way than stochastic terrorism!

(Love how I need to learn new terms while trying to navigate my older life....)

Attilatheblond

(6,961 posts)
97. Yeah, this IS about terrorizing and probably trying to trigger us to violence so they can bring in tanks
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 10:43 PM
Saturday

But we MUST call them out on their lies that it's about crime.

IronLionZion

(49,716 posts)
34. MAGA loves the confusion and chaos. This is by design
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:26 PM
Saturday

They want to sow fear and distrust so people will have no idea who are the masked goons coming for them.

slightlv

(6,411 posts)
49. Good point...
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:05 PM
Saturday

but I think a lot of people would be like me... the confusion and chaos would only trickle down to the fire through the door level if I saw police outside. The usual person knocking at the door doesn't worry as much. Besides, they're often Jehovah's Witnesses or some other church group trying to convert me. I get a kick out of pointing out the Pagan items they're standing among, and telling them in no uncertain terms I'd never join such a satanic, anti-christian outfit as that which they represent.

Jarqui

(10,727 posts)
35. I suspect this is one of many incidents to come related to ICE
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:29 PM
Saturday

The more the public sees people being apprehended by masked men and taken away in unmarked cars, the more likely members of the public will fight back.

Sadly, this risks escalation.

MagickMuffin

(17,875 posts)
41. Texas Stand Your Ground backs this homeowners decision to protect his home
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:54 PM
Saturday


This is the law in Texas, thank you gop for passing this law. I never cared for it in the past, however, times have changed!

Texas Homeowners Stand Your Ground. Defend your rights against this illegal invasion of armed masked thugs trying to kidnap you and your family.

I hope to hear more about this story.

Play stupid games.




Kaleva

(39,753 posts)
42. Tricky 'cause if you kill actual LEO, you'll probably end up dead yourself
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:56 PM
Saturday

Police are very unlikely to conduct such a exercise with just two officers

Hornedfrog2000

(783 posts)
47. Well, police aint knocking at the door for real long
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:03 PM
Saturday

If they have a warrant like that, they are busting the door in pretty much immediately.

Hornedfrog2000

(783 posts)
43. Yup, time to start shooting masked people
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 12:58 PM
Saturday

Dont identify, be ready to die, should be the democrats motto from here on out.


Also, could you imagine if this happened on obama or bidens watch? Because he started new policies having people doing this shit? Havent women been assaulted from the same sort of thing since then?

markodochartaigh

(3,709 posts)
59. It seems that the two weren't actually law enforcement
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:27 PM
Saturday

officers. But it seems bizarre to me that two burglars or whatever would open fire first. What were they going to do, open fire, break in, steal whatever, and then escape having alerted everyone around to call the police?

Heidi

(58,474 posts)
108. Whether it is determined to be justifiable will likely depend on the race(s)
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 03:15 AM
Sunday

of the home occupant and the assailants.

From a 2013 study, Race, Justifiable Homicide, and Stand Your Ground Laws: Analysis of FBI Supplementary Homicide Report Data, conducted by John K. Roman, PhD, The Urban Institute:

With respect to race, controlling for all other case attributes, the odds a white-on-black homicide is found justified is 281 percent greater than the odds a white-on-white homicide is found justified. By contrast, a black-on-white homicide has barely half the odds of being ruled justifiable relative to white-on-white homicides. Statistically, black-on-black homicides have the same odds of being ruled justifiable as white-on-white homicides.


https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/race-justifiable-homicide-and-stand-your-ground-laws-analysis-fbi

PDF here: https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/23856/412873-Race-Justifiable-Homicide-and-Stand-Your-Ground-Laws.PDF

LeftInTX

(33,209 posts)
126. This is plain old self-defense because they were fired at.
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 10:19 AM
Sunday

Unless, it is proven otherwise, I don't think any charges will be filed.

The HPD will be investigating the dead thugs..
What motivated them to do such as brazen thing?
What other crimes have they committed etc?

Karasu

(1,877 posts)
70. If anything, I'm surprised there hasn't been more of this...but there definitely will be. When it's impossible to tell
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 03:47 PM
Saturday

who is and who isn't law enforcement, inherent suspicion is completely justifiable.

GoodRaisin

(10,448 posts)
73. Any masked up individuals trying to crash through my door would meet the same resistance.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 04:27 PM
Saturday

I don’t play around with home invasion and keep my doors tightly locked. I consider masked people to be dangerous criminals. This is what masked intruders deserve, especially when they start firing their weapons.

Susan Calvin

(2,356 posts)
78. I got a handgun, training, and a license to carry right after the election.
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 05:11 PM
Saturday

I have no intention of taking it outside the house, but I could if I wanted to, and at least I've had some training. If things really go downhill and Trump's thugs come to my house, I'll at least take some with me.

jmbar2

(7,230 posts)
93. That seems like a LONG time to investigate
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 08:36 PM
Saturday

Sounds like their bodies have been sitting out all night.

Martin68

(26,333 posts)
96. So MAGATs have succeeded in totally undermining trust in law enforcement. We will shoot them on sight in future of they
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 10:17 PM
Saturday

wear masks and don't show a badge. I'm not sure this helps their cause.

doc03

(38,300 posts)
101. That's what you get when cops wear masks,
Sat Aug 23, 2025, 11:47 PM
Saturday

how do we distinguish them from the bad guys?
That would take a lot of guts to shoot two
people claiming to be cops. They could have very well been a couple of Trump's brown shirts.

Aussie105

(7,132 posts)
102. Somebody will need a new door!
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 12:45 AM
Sunday

And the deceased need to be identified, and their motivation guessed at.

I guess return fire wasn't expected.

Does 'stand your ground' thinking apply here?

Initech

(106,107 posts)
106. We've been here since 2016.
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 01:21 AM
Sunday

We had a slight break from it when Biden was president but nope, too many people wanted to be ruled by the fucking asshole and now we're back in hell.

Heidi

(58,474 posts)
107. It will be interesting to learn the races of the home occupant and the assailants.
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 02:07 AM
Sunday

From a 2013 study, Race, Justifiable Homicide, and Stand Your Ground Laws: Analysis of FBI Supplementary Homicide Report Data, conducted by John K. Roman, PhD, The Urban Institute:

With respect to race, controlling for all other case attributes, the odds a white-on-black homicide
is found justified is 281 percent greater than the odds a white-on-white homicide is found justified.
By contrast, a black-on-white homicide has barely half the odds of being ruled justifiable relative to
white-on-white homicides. Statistically, black-on-black homicides have the same odds of being ruled
justifiable as white-on-white homicides.


https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/race-justifiable-homicide-and-stand-your-ground-laws-analysis-fbi

PDF here: https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/23856/412873-Race-Justifiable-Homicide-and-Stand-Your-Ground-Laws.PDF

LeftInTX

(33,209 posts)
109. I don't get the impression that people are too "shocked" by this crime.
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 03:27 AM
Sunday

Usually when something like this happens in a nice area, it's a buzz for the day. (We've had people barricade themselves in nice areas and it's the talk of the town, but a shootout in a mediocre area doesn't get as much publicity) In this case, it seems more like a generic homicide with a twist.

Most of the homes appear to be about 1000 sq ft, 2 or 3 bedrooms with converted garages. A few houses appear to have auto junk in the front yard. A few yards have fences in the front. I personally wouldn't want to live there. It's not bad, but it's not nice either.
I got the street name from other reports. Most of the homes are appraised under $200,000.

These appraisal values are equivalent to our higher crime areas in San Antonio or areas where people are not flocking to etc.

Houston has 324 homicides per year. This appears to be just one of them, with more drama than average.

I personally don't think any charges will be filed against the residents, if things happened the way that they said it happened.

There are numerous cases of cop impersonation in Houston.

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-houston-warns-public-beware-imposters-spoofing-legitimate-law-enforcement-phone





https://www.fox26houston.com/video/1302220

Heidi

(58,474 posts)
110. Wow! People aren't shocked by armed, masked, badge-wearing
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 03:37 AM
Sunday

assailants with body armor but no warrant shooting through the door of a home? What Houston income level or home value would trigger shock?

LeftInTX

(33,209 posts)
111. It's a home invasion.
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 03:46 AM
Sunday

I posted like 5 videos of cop impersonators in Houston.
One guy posed as a cop to rob a liquor store last month.

Heidi

(58,474 posts)
112. I agree that it's a home invasion.
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 03:51 AM
Sunday

My point—supported by credible research—is that Stand Your Ground is unevenly applied and may not protect Black homeowners defending their homes against armed, white intruders.

LeftInTX

(33,209 posts)
113. I don't think the residents will be charged and the shooters probably knew (targeted) the homeowners.
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 03:55 AM
Sunday

They had been watching them and targeted them for some reason.

I don't think they will be charged.

LeftInTX

(33,209 posts)
116. I'm in San Antonio, 200 miles away. I'm just looking at the news stories and there isn't much. Just a rehash of this
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 04:08 AM
Sunday

morning's news.

But it's just a vibe I get. Home invasion. New twist, posing as law enforcement with masks.
Justifiable homicide.
Homeowner's ID is likely protected.
They haven't released homeowner's name.

This indicates to me that they think it's justifiable.

Also, even if it's justifiable, law enforcement will question the homeowner. However, media is not showing any footage of the homeowner. Once again, they're trying to protect the homeowner. They aren't even showing the house. Often media will show footage if they believe malice is involved or it's controversial etc.

Kaleva

(39,753 posts)
120. Criminals impersonating LEO isn't anything new
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 09:34 AM
Sunday

St. Valentine Day Massacre is an example.

Heidi

(58,474 posts)
123. That's true but do we need more of it?
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 10:05 AM
Sunday
It's not necessarily a new trend. Right. We've seen examples in the past of people pretending to be police officers and impersonating people. But I think the recent escalation by immigration officials throughout the country under the Trump administration has opened this door for criminals to take advantage and to prey on vulnerable immigrant communities that are afraid of these immigration enforcement actions. Right.

And I think experts are very worried that this rising trend of immigration officers wearing masks to conduct these arrests ends up blurring the line between who is actually an officer and who is a civilian who might be, you know, taking advantage and capitalizing on this trend.


https://www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/show/rise-of-ice-agents-wearing-masks-creates-opportunity-for-imposters-to-conduct-crimes

Heidi

(58,474 posts)
118. Noted. Do you think the home occupants were targeted
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 05:28 AM
Sunday

Last edited Sun Aug 24, 2025, 06:47 AM - Edit history (1)

because of their ethnicity?

LeftInTX

(33,209 posts)
125. I have no idea, but I kinda doubt it.
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 10:10 AM
Sunday

I really think this was a plain old crime.

We have areas like that around here. And I've never heard of white people going into a Hispanic neighborhood with the intention of killing them just because they're Hispanic. Usually those type of crimes happen in white areas.

It just doesn't make sense...

Crunchy Frog

(27,773 posts)
114. Whoever and whatever those two men were, they were in dire need of a dirt nap.
Sun Aug 24, 2025, 04:00 AM
Sunday

I'm glad the homeowner is okay.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Houston homeowner kills t...