Ireland: Burglar greeted with retiree's shotgun: "An attempted robbery at a house on Broguemakers' Hill, Kilkenny City at 4.30am on Christmas morning was foiled by the sprightly 68-year-old home owner. The quick-thinking resident awoke to the sound of a ladder being placed against the back wall of his home. Slipping out of bed, he grabbed his legally-held shotgun and tip-toed downstairs in his bare feet, dressed only in a pyjamas. He silently opened the back door and found the burglar wearing a balaclava standing on the ladder. Using rough language in an attempt to impress the intruder, the old-age pensioner pointed the gun and told the intruder to get down and f... off or he would have his head blown off. The burglar, whose speech was slurred due to drink or drugs, held his hands in front of him and said "take it easy with that gun, I'm only looking for a few dollars". He was put off the property at gunpoint and the gardai [police] were contacted. They responded immediately and a half hour later rang the occupants of the house to say they could sleep safely now as the gardai had found a fellow matching the description, who was helping them with their enquiries."


CA: Killing ruled self-defense: "A 27-year-old man wounded in a Dec. 22 exchange of gunfire with a man police said he was trying to rob has died, authorities said Wednesday. He was identified as Dahyn Walker of Oakland and died Dec. 27 at a hospital. The district attorney's office decided Wednesday the 33-year-old man who shot Walker had acted in self-defense. Although he was not charged in Walker's killing, the man was charged with possession of a concealed firearm and possession of a loaded firearm in a car. His name was not released pending his appearance in court on the gun charges. The shooting happened about 9 p.m. Dec. 22 in the 3200 block of Champion Street in the Dimond district. Police said the 33-year-old man and the 36-year-old man came to the site expecting to sell some marijuana to Walker. The deal was not completed, and the two older men started driving away. Police said Walker came up to the car with a gun drawn and tried to rob the men. Police said Walker fired some shots at the men before the 33-year-old was able to pull his gun and return fire, hitting Walker once. The two older men drove to one hospital and Walker to another before police were contacted. A second man with Walker is still being sought."


NC: Female accomplice caught: "A Western Harnett High School student has been charged with taking part in a robbery earlier this month that left three people shot in western Harnett County. Katherine Danielle Stroud, 16, of Quiet Country Lane, Sanford, is charged with felony counts of robbery, burglary, conspiracy and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or seriously injure in the event at the home of Derrick Womack on Tacia Drive off N.C. 27 Three people tried to rob Mr. Womack, who owns Tingen Store on N.C. 27, Dec. 19. The robbers attacked and shot Mr. Womack in the hand. He took a gun from one of the attackers and shot back, injuring two of the intruders. Ms. Stroud's bond was set at $100,000. The sheriff's office has already charged Maurice Purcell, 18, of Sanford in the case. He is charged with attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree burglary and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or seriously injure."


MD: Weaving car trick stymies gunman: "According to police, on the morning of Dec. 27, the men ordered the man and woman, and their two boys, ages 8 and 11, into the family's Mitsubishi Gallant, and told the father to drive to the Silver Spring bank where his wife works. The men planned for the woman to assist them in robbing the bank, which was scheduled to open at 9 a.m. Surafel got into the vehicle with the family, and the other man stayed at the family's home and was later picked up by Tadele, police said. Trooper Barrington Cameron, assigned to road patrol duties at the College Park Barracks, saw the Gallant weaving on the outer loop of I-495 near College Park and pulled the vehicle over. The father, who had been driving, told Cameron that Surafel, who was sitting in the backseat, had a gun. Surafel was taken into custody without incident. Police recovered a loaded semi-automatic pistol and a knife."