Teen who shot break-in suspect was protecting his grandmother
Burglars had tried to break into George and Anna Marie Wyant’s home near Mint Hill at least twice, so they kept a pistol hidden in the house for protection, hoping they’d never have to use it.
“I took him to a shooting range,” George Wyant said. “All the boys, I wanted them to learn gun safety. That’s what all of us should have for protection. These are different ages, and you have to protect yourself.”
On Tuesday, their 14-year-old grandson was visiting. He was sick with bronchitis, and Anna Marie, 73, had just had hip replacement surgery. They were taking care of each other while his mother and the rest of the family was at a Christmas party.
“The man was breaking into the window,” [Anna Marie Wyant] told the [911] operator. “He was halfway in the window. My grandson told him to stop and get out of here and he didn’t so my grandson shot him. ... Somebody just broke in the house and we shot him.”...
Police have said they believe the fatal shooting Tuesday was justified. They say the teen was trying to protect himself and his grandmother.
Anna Marie Wyant said the teen is “his grandmother’s hero.” “If I was by myself, God knows what they would have done to me,” she said.
Preparation does make a difference. All's well that ends well.
/fl