St. Louis police report the incident unfolded in the Penrose neighborhood just before 1 a.m. as the intended victim slept next to his 36-year-old girlfriend. The ex allegedly pointed a gun directly at the now-wide awake man’s head.
The sequence of events that transpired at that point are not clear, but apparently the man being threatened was able to get his hands on his own gun. He reportedly fired several shots at the intruder, who died at the scene.
The deceased was identified by law enforcement as 37-year-old John Bernard of St. Louis. Investigators reported finding two guns at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing, but initial findings showed the man who was asleep acted in self-defense. At this stage, the case appears to be a justifiable homicide, and no charges have been filed.
A neighbor from across the street, Roosevelt Buck, told local media that random crime is not an issue in the area. “Our houses don’t get broken into. We don’t have break-ins…We have elements that come into our neighborhood and not that often.”
Another nearby resident, TK King, expressed regret for the loss of life. “I don’t like for people to lose their life period…But at the same time, because of the circumstances, I understand it.”
Another neighbor, Nicole Jefferson, said the incident should serve as a cautionary tale.
“And that’s why you shouldn’t be going to no one else’s house trying to break in and everything because you never know what’s going to be on the other side of that door.”
More often than not, with crime rates over the past few years, it will be someone who is armed and ready to defend themselves and their family.
