79 Year Old Homeowner Thwarts Break-in With Handgun
Date: Jul 10, 2005 4:07 PM
FYI (copy below):
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050710/NEWS01/507100361
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Sunday, July 10, 2005

Homeowner thwarts break-in with handgun
Two suspects left with gunshot wounds after N.Ky. incident

By Sheila McLaughlin
Enquirer staff writer

DRY RIDGE – Two burglary suspects were hospitalized Saturday
after a 79-year-old homeowner said he opened fire on them
after they broke into his Ellen Kay Drive residence.

The men, whose names were not available, were listed in
serious and fair condition at University Hospital in
Cincinnati, a nursing supervisor said. They were flown by
medical helicopter after the pre-dawn shooting.

Gayle Martin, who lives alone, said he was awakened shortly
before 5 a.m. by the sound of his back door being battered.
He grabbed his .357-caliber Magnum handgun and went to check
out the noise. He said he saw two men and figured they were
going to rob him.

“They were in the house. They had just broke in. I didn’t
let them get any farther,” Martin said. He started shooting
and the men ran from the house. Martin said he did not
recognize either man.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived at Martin’s house after receiving
a 911 call from the residence at 4:55 a.m. They found the
suspects, suffering from gunshot wounds, after searching the
area.

Grant County Sheriff Randy Middleton called Martin lucky.
“He’s very lucky. They probably would have killed him.”

Middleton also said Martin’s marksmanship was impressive.
“He’s a good shot,” he said.

Neighbor Nancy Collins, who has lived on Ellen Kay Drive for
30 years, said break-ins in the somewhat rural neighborhood
are uncommon. “I felt safe on this street until now,” she
said.

She described Martin as a “very nice gentleman,” who “stayed
off by himself.”

Deputies have not filed any charges in the case.

“We probably won’t, because they were trying to break into
his house,” said Middleton.

Six hours after the shooting, Martin said he was feeling
lucky that he wasn’t hurt.

“I’m still a bit shook up,” he said.