SC Homeowner shot intruder, police say

[matthewaynelson]

HOLLY HILL – L. Glenn Littlejohn, 71, of 1244 Peake St. interrupted the suspect, Roosevelt Elmore Jr., at around 4:55 a.m. as Elmore stood in the doorway of Littlejohn’s home, according to police. Holly Hill Police Chief Robert Wunderlich said an unarmed Elmore allegedly forced his way though a doorway into the kitchen of the victim’s home.

Littlejohn, after being awakened by home alarm, “grabbed his shotgun, went out the back door and went around to the side of the house where the suspect made entrance and confronted the suspect in the doorway,” Wunderlich said.

He said Littlejohn shot Elmore in his right shoulder with a 12-gauge shotgun. The wounded Elmore fled the scene, and Littlejohn called 911, the chief said. Elmore was apprehended 300 yards from Littlejohn's house moments later.

Emergency crews responded and transported Elmore by helicopter to the Medical University of South Carolina, where he underwent surgery on his shoulder, Wunderlich said. He said Elmore’s injuries didn’t appear to be life-threatening.

Elmore was charged with felony first degree burglary, Wunderlich said. If convicted, he could face from 15 years to life in prison, the police chief said.

Wunderlich said Elmore is also a “person of interest” in three previous reported burglaries at Littlejohn’s home in recent months – on Dec. 24, 2008, March 5 and April 10. Wunderlich said Elmore’s criminal rap sheet is lengthy, including convictions for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, burglary and forgery. (Source)

Littlejohn had been robbed three times prior to this incident — I wonder if the shotgun was a recent purchase?

This seems a pretty open and shut case. I guess the only uncertainty is whether or not Elmore was responsible in any part for the prior three burglaries. If Elmore is found guilty, he should not only serve jail time, he should also be required to pay Littlejohn back for the expense of the shotgun shell used... as well as any damages done to Littlejohn's home. Additionally, he should be responsible for the cost of the life-flight, surgery and hospital bills.

[AZSATT]

Well, I'm hoping Elmore will have some recovery time (which is a blessing for him, as he SHOULD be dead in two distinct halves) to reconsider his career choice.

I'm sure the gov't has a position for a criminal with a history of stealing from the public....

Littlejohn should post that cool new sign, "Nothing inside is worth dying for" in front and behind his house...

[Red Hat]

He should have aimed a little more to the right. Would have saved a lot of money!

[tattedupboy]

I guess Littlejohn finally decided that enough was enough and sure enough, the shotgun came in handy for him. By shooting Elmore, not only has he protected himself, but all the other people whose homes would have been burglarized had this not happened.

[gdcleanfun]

HOLLY HILL – L. Glenn Littlejohn, 71, of 1244 Peake St. interrupted the suspect, Roosevelt Elmore Jr., at around 4:55 a.m. as Elmore stood in the doorway of Littlejohn’s home, according to police. Holly Hill Police Chief Robert Wunderlich said an unarmed Elmore allegedly forced his way though a doorway into the kitchen of the victim’s home.

Littlejohn, after being awakened by home alarm, “grabbed his shotgun, went out the back door and went around to the side of the house where the suspect made entrance and confronted the suspect in the doorway,” Wunderlich said....


***


My concern is that Mr. Littlejohn went outside the house and around to the side to confront the burglar. Could he be charged with assault? He was outside the house, away from danger, but then he went to the door being broken into - he went looking for the guy rather than staying out of danger. It seems to me that a case could be made against him.

[VA9mm]

My concern is that Mr. Littlejohn went outside the house and around to the side to confront the burglar. Could he be charged with assault? He was outside the house, away from danger, but then he went to the door being broken into - he went looking for the guy rather than staying out of danger. It seems to me that a case could be made against him.

Castle Doctrine in SC not ilegal at all.

[Scarecrow]

sounds like he did the right thing to me. good for him.

[GeneralSumter]

I live in a suburb of Charleston, about 20 minutes from Holly Hill. That town is fairly small and rural.

What I don't understand is that "Elmore was apprehended 300 yards from Littlejohn's house moments later" at 4:55am. Either the cop happened to be very near the street or Wunderlich called 911, then went outside, circled the house, and shot the intruder. But the story says he called 911 after he shot him. Perhaps Elmore collapsed from the sight of his blood and "moments" to the author of the story = 10 minutes.

And actually, we are a "stand your ground" state, which is a little better than castle doctrine. Either way, if I come home from work and someone is in my house illegally, I can shoot him. There may be an argument against me if the BG runs out of my house and I shoot him in the street. Castle doctrine runs out when the BG leaves your "castle".

[VA9mm]

I wish VA would enact something similar.

[tattedupboy]

I suppose I understand this line of reasoning, however, let's remember that this is Mr. Littlejohn's home, and he has a right to be there, whether a burglar is inside or not. The burglar is the one who doesn't have the right to be there, so he deserved what he got.

HOLLY HILL – L. Glenn Littlejohn, 71, of 1244 Peake St. interrupted the suspect, Roosevelt Elmore Jr., at around 4:55 a.m. as Elmore stood in the doorway of Littlejohn’s home, according to police. Holly Hill Police Chief Robert Wunderlich said an unarmed Elmore allegedly forced his way though a doorway into the kitchen of the victim’s home.

Littlejohn, after being awakened by home alarm, “grabbed his shotgun, went out the back door and went around to the side of the house where the suspect made entrance and confronted the suspect in the doorway,” Wunderlich said....


***


My concern is that Mr. Littlejohn went outside the house and around to the side to confront the burglar. Could he be charged with assault? He was outside the house, away from danger, but then he went to the door being broken into - he went looking for the guy rather than staying out of danger. It seems to me that a case could be made against him.