CARROLL COUNTY, MS – In an extraordinary display of courage and quick thinking, a mother in Carroll County, Mississippi, successfully defended her three children from a knife-wielding intruder by using a firearm. The incident unfolded on Monday when the family’s home became the target of a break-in by 44-year-old Steve Lamar Goss, Jr.
According to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, the ordeal began with the mother’s husband calling deputies for help from his workplace. He reported that an armed man was trying to break into his house where his wife and children were hiding. The intruder, later identified as Goss, attempted to kick down the front door, and when unsuccessful, he drove his GMC pickup truck into the dining room of the house.
In response to this terrifying situation, the mother and her three children took refuge in a closet, designated as the family’s safe room. Reports say that while hiding, the mother prayed and the children recited scripture. When Goss eventually found them and entered the closet, still armed with a knife, the mother shot him in the arm in self-defense.
The concept of a safe room is something we discuss often on USA Carry. In this case, the decision to utilize a closet as a safe room was pivotal. However, it’s worth noting that many closets may not be ideal for such situations. Their narrow confines can increase the risk of injury if an assailant fires through the door. Additionally, most lack the option to lock from the inside. A larger room, like a bedroom, might offer better cover and safety options, such as a gun safe or a bookcase filled with books, which can serve as makeshift barriers.
After the shooting, Goss fled the scene but was later apprehended by deputies in the parking lot of Acy’s Store following a brief chase. He was taken to Greenwood Leflore Hospital for treatment of his gunshot wound and subsequently booked into Carroll Montgomery Regional Correctional Facility. He faces four counts of attempted murder and one count of burglary. Notably, Goss was already out on felony bond for possession of a weapon by a felon.
Sheriff Clint Walker commended the family’s preparedness and faith, stating, “We can all learn a lot from this family about the importance of having an emergency plan in place in our homes and, most importantly, the power of prayer. I thank the Lord for this father’s preparation; the bravery shown by the mother and children, and that what could have been a tragedy was transformed into a testimony of their faith in God.”
This incident underscores the importance of having a plan for home emergencies and highlights the effectiveness of self-defense measures in protecting one’s family from potential harm.
It’s just me, but driving his truck INTO my house would’ve been enough points for a head shot.
He was already out on bond as a felon. Why was this guy even out? I’m glad she held her own, but society would have benefited from him being removed permanently. Is there any doubt he will do something like this again?