Homeowner stops assailant.(Exercising The Right)

At about 4 a.m. on August 18, 2003, Gary Shrewsbury of Salisbury, North Carolina, left his home and began walking toward his car. He noticed that the porch light, which had been left on, was out. He assumed that the bulb had burned out, and continued walking toward his vehicle. Suddenly, a masked man armed with a large stick approached him from behind.

Shrewsbury recalled for the September 30 Salisbury Post that he turned around and saw the man coining at him while holding the stick in a menacing manner. The homeowner pulled his .357-Magnum handgun and fired a single shot, striking the would-be assailant in the stomach. The man fell to the ground, then reportedly removed his mask and asked why Shrewsbury had shot him. Only then did Shrewsbury recognize the man as an acquaintance, Ralph Avins. After calling 911, Shrewsbury replied, "You should have never charged at me, Ralph."

During the 911 call, Shrewsbury told the operator, "I just had to shoot somebody that tried to jump me when I walked out my door. Please hurry." He also claimed that Avins was "the one who tried to break into my ...