In the early morning hours Saturday, police in the hamlet of Negaunee, Michigan, were called to a residence over shots fired. There is little more frightening than the thought of being sound asleep and having an armed attacker break into your home.
That’s what was faced by a 60-year-old woman last weekend, and she came out on top of the confrontation.
The Negaunee Police Department reported that at least one of the suspects, 35-year-old Joshua Rhodes, forced entry into the home. The other suspect, 33-year-old Adrienne Rhodes, apparently stayed outside.
Investigators said Rhodes quickly encountered the homeowner and shots were fired between the two. Police said Rhodes fired first at his intended victim and she fired right back. Neither were injured. Give much credit to the woman who was not only properly armed but did not back away when confronted by imminent danger.
Rhodes thought better of his plan and hastily retreated to the basement. At that point the woman locked herself in her bedroom and called the police.
The suspect was obviously so frightened that when officers arrived, they found him still cowering in the home’s basement.
Police arrested Rhodes and charged him with one count of assault with the intent to murder, one count of first-degree home invasion, and two felony firearms counts. He is being held on a $500,000 bond.
Adrienne Rhodes was arrested a short time later and charged with first-degree home invasion and carrying a concealed weapon. She has a $10,000 bond. It is unclear how she was connected to the case, but both were arraigned on Monday.
The resident is very fortunate that she had a firearm ready, but fortune had nothing to do with her response. She held her ground and forced the invader to retreat, giving her time to call the authorities and get help to her home.
It represents yet another Second Amendment story with a happy ending.