Series of attacks produce very different outcomes

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Published on Wednesday, 30 November -0001 00:00

Written by Jeff Garvas

Commentary by OFCC News Team Member, Cliffton M. Fischbach:

Both the Toledo Blade and the Cincinnati Enquirer reported attacks on elderly victims recently. The stories may be similar in that elderly people were attacked, but the outcome in these two stories was dramatically different. In the Toledo attacks, a knife-wielding attacker confronted the unarmed victims. One ended up bleeding in her own bathtub and the other was lucky and escaped injury.

In the Cincinnati story, a pair of attackers broke into the home of a Northern Kentucky man who refused to be a victim. He had armed himself with a handgun. He may have been elderly, but there was nothing wrong with his aim. The attackers ended up in the hospital with matching bullet holes.


The Toledo Blade reports a pair of attacks on elderly victims over the weekend.

From the story:

"A South Toledo man was arrested yesterday afternoon for attacking and robbing a 90-year-old woman in her Andora Drive home Friday night and an 87-year-old man in the parking lot of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church yesterday morning, police said."

"David McCrary, 35, of 314 Somerset St., was charged with kidnapping, robbery, felonious assault, aggravated burglary, and grand theft-auto for his role in the incident Friday and with aggravated assault and felonious assault in yesterday's incident."

In the Friday night incident, Julia Norenberg was attacked in her home and left bleeding in her bathtub. The attacker then took her car and left. Following the attack, she was found by a relative and taken to MUO Medical Center. Her condition is unknown.

Early Saturday morning, the attacker was at work again, accosting John Dillon of South Byrne Road in the parking lot of his church.

From the story:

"Mr. Dillon said he had just parked his car to go to church when the man asked for a ride, claiming his mother was in an accident and his car broke down, police said."

"Mr. Dillon said he allowed the man to get into the car, at which time the man brandished a knife. The man initially demanded $20, then demanded all of Mr. Dillon's cash, police said."

"A struggle ensued, resulting in about $63 worth of currency being torn in half, with the victim and the suspect each holding approximately equal portions. The suspect then fled, police said."

Mr. Dillon escaped harm. Unarmed, he put up a spirited defense, but this situation could easily have gone tragically the other way. Mr. Dillon was very fortunate, but he was not prepared to deal with an armed attacker.

In the second story, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that a Dry Ridge, KY man successfully defended himself with a handgun after two suspects broke into his home.

From the story:

"Two burglary suspects were hospitalized Saturday after a 79-year-old homeowner said he opened fire on them after they broke into his Ellen Kay Drive residence. The men, whose names were not available, were listed in serious and fair condition at University Hospital in Cincinnati, a nursing supervisor said. They were flown by medical helicopter after the pre-dawn shooting."

"Gayle Martin, who lives alone, said he was awakened shortly before 5 a.m. by the sound of his back door being battered. He grabbed his .357-caliber Magnum handgun and went to check out the noise. He said he saw two men and figured they were going to rob him. "They were in the house. They had just broke in. I didn't let them get any farther," Martin said. He started shooting and the men ran from the house. Martin said he did not recognize either man."

"Sheriff's deputies arrived at Martin's house after receiving a 911 call from the residence at 4:55 a.m. They found the suspects, suffering from gunshot wounds, after searching the area."

"Grant County Sheriff Randy Middleton called Martin lucky. "He's very lucky. They probably would have killed him." Middleton also said Martin's marksmanship was impressive. "He's a good shot," he said."

In this case the 79-year-old victim was able to defend himself from two men who probably would have killed him. Sheriff Middleton called Martin lucky. What the Sheriff calls lucky, I would call being prepared.

In a story the following day, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Sheriff has identified the suspects who broke into Gayle Martin's home and discusses possible charges.

From the story:

"Grant County Sheriff Randy Middleton identified the two Sunday as Dry Ridge residents John Paul McGrau and Justin Moore. He believes both men are in their mid-20s. Middleton said McGrau has "been in our jail before." He was not sure what McGrau had been arrested for previously."

"Sheriff's officials plan to meet with prosecutors today to determine whether to file charges against McGrau and Moore. The two agencies also will discuss Martin's marksmanship, but it is unlikely the elderly man will face any charges. "I don't think they'll file any charges against him," Middleton said."

A letter to the editor appearing the next day in the Cincinnati Enquirer sums up this series of stories nicely:

"Homeowner gun self-defense is heroic"

"Stories like "Homeowner thwarts break-in with handgun" (July 10) are always the best part of my week. I wish only that you had placed it above the fold on the front page."

"Crime will only go down when the criminals know that we are going to defend ourselves. The more of us who defend ourselves, the less crime there will be. It is no more complicated than that."

"This principle applies on the personal level. It applies on the global level. I applaud Gayle Martin for taking the action to protect himself and his home. Men like him are our modern American heroes."

Rick Singel, Hyde Park

As the stories appearing here and in the daily news across our country point out to anyone with half a grain of sense, it is simply irresponsible not to take proactive steps to protect yourself and your family. Get a suitable handgun, sign up for training, and get your concealed carry license.

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