Today’s feel good story
Chief Tango sends us a link from the NY Daily News which recounts the tale of 84-year-old Korean War veteran, Fred Ricciutti, who took up the German Luger he says he carried in Korea to fend off some chap who happened to wander into his kitchen the other night;
In a scene that appeared to be pulled from the pages of the Clint Eastwood film “Gran Torino,” grizzled war hero Fred Ricciutti grabbed his battlefield sidearm after he heard someone bust through a kitchen door of his Elizabeth Township house at around 4:30 a.m.
“I said, ‘Halt, who’s there?’ ” Ricciutti told Pittsburgh station WPXI.
“I’m thinking, friend or foe, he shouldn’t be there that time of day.”
Ricciutti fired once, hitting suspect Raymond Hiles, 25, in the neck.
Hills took off, but was arrested a few blocks away after Ricciutti called 911.
Hills had a screwdriver and a stun gun and had lived across the street from Ricciutti, so he thought he knew whose house it was, but probably didn’t expect the firepower. The police say that they don’t expect Mr. Ricciutti to be charged. Which is even better news.
Sounds like someone brought a screwdriver to a gunfight.
Mr. Ricciutti had a Luger as a sidearm in Korea? Hey, not doubting it, just seems a bit strange.
And lucky he wasn’t in NY, otherwise he might well be facing charges.
Good job, Mr. Ricciutti!
“The police say they don’t expect Mr. Ricciutti to be charged.”??? With WHAT? Being an 84year old defending himself from a douchebag?!?
Three points:
1. Good to see the Elizabeth PD has some common sense.
2. Well done, Mr. Ricciutti.
3. Too bad the round didn’t impact about 12 inches or so lower, and center-of-mass. But he is 84 years old, so he gets bonus points for being able to still hit the target at that age!
“The police say that they don’t expect Mr. Ricciutti to be charged.”
Stunning. This statement presupposes that anyone should consider otherwise?
When will we know for sure?? And upon what does the decision depend???
Like I said–in a lot of locales, he would have been charged. Even in the supposedly “Live Free or Die” state, we had that case the next town over from me where he was arrested and charged (both later dropped and expunged) for firing into the ground to stop a scumbag from robbing houses in his area.
Get off my lawn.
“Halt! Who’s there?” When no reponse is received and deadly force is authorized, fire. Do not fire a warning shot…. Obviously, his military training is deeply engrained in his psyche. Another plug for Army (?) training.
I’m sure Hills will be the darling of the Jail. Having your ass handed to you by the 84 year old you planned to punk has got to be a ding on your “street cred”. Too bad he avoided refrigeration.