WAGONER COUNTY, OK – The grandfather of one of the three teens killed after breaking into a home is saying the use of an AR-15 by the homeowner’s son, who encountered the home invaders, was excessive.
In 2017, an attempted burglary in Wagoner County, Oklahoma, resulted in the deaths of three teenagers. Leroy Schumacher, the grandfather of one intruder, argued that although the burglary was foolish, the fact the person sleeping inside responded with an AR-15 was disproportionate, giving him an “unfair advantage.” He questioned the necessity of using lethal force against three individuals armed with less lethal weapons.
“There’s got to be a limit to that law. I mean, he shot all three of them; there was no need for that,” said Schumacher. “Brass knuckles against an AR-15, come on, who was afraid for their life?”
The group initially stole items from the garage, but then two of the three decided to enter the main house. They wore black clothing and masks, armed with brass knuckles and a knife. Zach Peters, aged 23, who was napping inside the home, confronted them.
When he heard noises, Peters grabbed his father’s AR-15 and, fearing for his life, shot all three intruders when they got inside. Peters called 911 after the shooting, but by the time authorities arrived, all three teens had already died.
What Does the Law Say?
States with “stand your ground” or “castle doctrine” laws give individuals the legal right to use reasonable, potentially lethal force for self-defense without retreating when facing an intruder or attacker.
One could also argue that this situation represents a disparity of force. Disparity of force refers to a scenario in which an individual has a considerable disadvantage in a confrontation because of an imbalance in physical capability, numerical strength, or other variables.
It could also be argued this is a case of disparity of force. Disparity of force refers to a scenario in which an individual has a considerable disadvantage in a confrontation due to an imbalance in physical capability, is outnumbered, or other variables.
When someone breaks into your house, the outcome isn’t likely to be good. While the families of the teens have to live with their deaths, so does the person who took their life. Even when justified, it’s not easy to live with.
It turns out that if you don’t break into other people’s homes, your chances of getting shot by a terrified(or just prepared) homeowner go down immensely…
In a dark house, dark clothed INTRUDERS carrying weapons, and the grandfather of one of the dead intruders is saying an AR-15 is unfair? Grandpa get a clue! your grandson got EXACTLY what he asked for!
A knife, brass knuckles, three on one. One man, confronted by three hoodlums breaking into his house after rummaging through his garage and one of the bad men’s grandfather is say “unfair”! Well heck Gramps maybe you taught your grandson the difference between legal and illegal. Maybe he would still be alive today.
I’m 72, survived cancer, have an implanted spinal cord stimulator (chronic back pain issues), survived a triple bypass, a pulmonary embolism, a long list of health issues. I can very easily articulate mortal fear for my life and the lives those I’ve been entrusted with their safety.
Sorry for your loss.
Anyone who breaks into your home has bad intentions. Period. You do not have the luxury of asking them, “Hey, do you plan to harm or kill me and my family?” The fact that they broke into an occupied home says that they are willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want. If you don’t want to be shot by a citizen in their home, then don’t violate their family’s sanctuary.
It’s not likely someone breaking into your home is there to make you breakfast in bed
Killing a 13-year-old seems a little extreme.
A 13 y/o here in Baltimore shitty along with two buddies (ages 14 & 16) stomped, kicked and beat the hell out of a 73 y/o man in order to rob him…and here in Maryland, he cannot be charged with shit…
Me? I’m going to shoot the little bastard until he’s no longer bleeding. Then I’m going to sue the grandpa for the clean up of my home…
Killing any person is a little extreme. Breaking into someone’s house is a little extreme too. Breaking into a house you know is occupied is very extreme: doing so while armed is extreme on an ungodly level.
Nobody is saying that 13yos deserve to die or that you should “kill ’em all and let God sort ’em out.” What we’re saying is that when a person breaks into your home, you can’t sit there and play a guessing game about their age or their intent. All you know is that you’re there and they’re committing a violent crime by breaking into an occupied structure.
If someone breaks into my house while I’m home, I’m not waiting on them to make me a continental breakfast or run a knife through my chest. I’m taking a proactive approach and neutralizing the threat before it can harm me.
THREE aggressors of similar age or older, with unknown weaponry…standing against 1 TEENAGER.
If 1 aggressor is overtly displaying a very dangerous offensive weapon it is completely reasonable to assume all the intruders are armed with…at minimum…equivalently dangerous or even more deadly offensive weapons.+
Brass knuckles ARE deadly weapons and possessing one is a criminal offense in some states. Using one in commission of a crime is usually a felony.
I would like to know what the grandfather thought the kid who was living in the home was supposed to use to defend himself
Only an idiot or a liar tries to portray BRASS KNUCKLES as a not deadly weapon especially with 3 assailants. What is he supposed to do? Challenge them to fisticuffs? What a crock.
When an unknown group of people are breaking into your house, with unknown intentions, and unknown weapons, you should be able to defend yourself against all possibilities and by any means necessary.
I’m 64, have had 2 bypass surgeries in one year and a cardiac arrest to go with it…if three teenagers break into my home (actually, if ANYONE breaks into my home), their family won’t be able to have an open casket…00 buck and slugs make that almost a given…
Bottom line grandpa, you would have raised your little bastard to raise their little bastard better, he wouldn’t be dead…let them beat on your face for a while with brass knuckles and see if you survive…
If you’re fighting “fair” you’re handicapping yourself.
The rules for a gunfight are:
1) Have a gun – the teens failed this one
2) Do WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO TO WIN – the son succeeded
Have a Good Day