American professional athletes are increasingly targeted by burglars seeking a big score. That frightening scenario played out for former Los Angeles Laker and current NBA free agent Christian Wood on Wednesday at his home in Sherman Oaks, California.
It was in the broad daylight of the early afternoon when Wood found himself face to face with three assailants in the back of his residence.
It did not go well for the alleged attackers, thanks to quick action and the Second Amendment.
Three suspects likely thought they would not encounter armed resistance
Wood was in his residence when he was startled by the sound of someone attempting to break in through the back door. The athlete had a firearm handy and did not hesitate to show the suspects that he meant business.
Acting quickly, Wood fired three to four shots into the ground. This got the point across emphatically, and the suspects fled as quickly as their legs and a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee would carry them.
Police continue to look for three individuals described only as dressed in dark clothing and hoodies. They are not believed to have been injured, and the intended victim thankfully was unharmed.
The wisdom of firing warning shots is hotly debated
Gun safety experts caution that firing warning shots may not be the best tactical choice when faced with a violent threat. Every encounter is different, but there is always a substantial risk of a ricochet from the ground or a bullet falling at high speeds after being shot in the air.
These concerns should be even more pressing in California, where the state does not look kindly on armed self-defense.
In this case, Wood appears to have made the right decision. There is no word on pending charges, and even in the Golden State, he is unlikely to face legal repercussions for scaring off the suspects.
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