Self-Defense or Excessive Force? Man Fatally Shoots Woman Attacking His Neighbor

In the early morning hours of a typical Long Beach Saturday, a man found himself in a situation where he used his firearm against a woman causing a disturbance in his neighborhood.

Last Saturday, witnesses report a woman, later identified as 44-year-old Andrew Powell, was aggressively following residents home, pounding on their doors and windows, and demanding money. This continued until she physically attacked another woman, igniting fear and concern among the residents.

According to Alyssa Baeza, a spokesperson for the Long Beach Police Department, a male homeowner witnessed Powell attacking another woman. The woman was screaming for help so the homeowner armed himself and went to her defense.

The incident escalated when Powell, ignoring the weapon, charged at the armed homeowner. To protect himself and his neighbors, he made the difficult decision to fire his weapon, fatally wounding Powell. The police detained the homeowner and collected his handgun for evidence, but after extensive witness interviews and evidence collection, he was released.

One resident, Eileen Gelso, said, “He was trying to protect himself and the other neighbors as well. She was definitely dangerous. I believe that.” Many share this sentiment, understanding the dire situation the homeowner found himself in.

However, Powell’s family members have announced plans to pursue legal action against the homeowner, arguing that Powell was experiencing a mental crisis at the time. They insist the use of force was unnecessary, sparking debate about the concept of disparity of force, a topic frequently discussed here.

The case will be presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for further investigation. As this unfolds, the question remains: Did Powell have a weapon, or was she unarmed? The information will undoubtedly influence the outcome of any legal proceedings.

In the face of a potentially dangerous situation, the Long Beach homeowner made a split-second decision to protect himself and his neighbors. As this case unfolds, it serves as a potent reminder of the complex realities faced by those of us who choose to arm themselves for self-defense.