Staff Reports
In a thrilling turn of events, an Indiana man managed to escape a would-be robber by taking his gun and turning the tables on him. The homeowner, Brent Smith of Indianapolis, found himself in a high-stakes situation when Damon Swanigan forced his way into his home. According to Smith, Swanigan smacked him on the head with a pistol and announced that he was being robbed. Smith wasted no time and fought back, leading to a wild altercation that even involved a glass table being smashed during the scuffle.
Homeowner Reportedly Kills Invader with Suspect's Own Gun: 'It Was Like a Movie' https://t.co/azZn20DyBc pic.twitter.com/ZHnqEIRIYZ
— Home Defense Gun (@HomeDefenseGun) January 4, 2024
In a true display of action-movie heroism, Smith was able to get ahold of Swanigan’s firearm and use it to defend himself. The gunshot, however, didn’t go unnoticed. It triggered a cascade of shots from outside, presumably fired by Swanigan’s accomplices. “It was a lot of gunfire man, a lot of gunfire,” Smith told reporters. Undeterred, Smith managed to retrieve his own gun and returned fire at the assailants in his front yard.
Eventually, the men fled the scene, leaving Smith to survey the aftermath. Multiple bullet holes pockmarked the front of his home and a parked car. Tragically, Swanigan didn’t survive the gunfight and perished on Smith’s front porch. Smith expressed remorse about having to take another man’s life, emphasizing that he was focused on his own survival. “That doesn’t make no sense, man,” Smith lamented. “I didn’t want to do that.”
Fortunately, the law recognizes the right to defend oneself and one’s property. As Indiana is a castle doctrine state, Smith was under no obligation to retreat from an armed intruder inside his own home. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the police are currently on the lookout for the other individuals involved in the botched robbery. Smith, on the other hand, was released without charges. In the face of danger, this homeowner emerged as a true hero, refusing to become a victim and standing his ground.
