World War II veteran kills home intruder, cites self defense

Earl Jones sat down for about 20 minutes waiting for the trespasser to enter his living room so he could gun the man down. Here Jones reenacts the shooting.

New York Daily News

VERBATIM POST

A 92-year-old World War II veteran proved that he can still shoot and kill on sight.

Kentucky farmer Earl Jones heard a crash in his basement, so he reached for his .22-caliber rifle and sat with it in his lap for about 20 minutes on Monday morning

Jones of Boone County aimed the rifle after hearing footsteps climb the stairs. When the intruder — 24-year-old Lloyd (Adam) Maxwell — kicked open the basement door, Jones fired a bullet into his chest, killing him around 2:30 a.m.

"These people aren't worth any more to me than a groundhog," Jones told the

Kentucky Enquirer. "They have our country in havoc. We got so many damned crooked people walking around today."

Jones actions appear to fall within the state's definition of force for self-defense, according to the Kentucky Enquirer. Kentucky's Castle Doctrine permits deadly force in defence of one's home.

Jones harbors no remorse over the shooting. "It was simple. That man was going to take my life. He was hunting me. I was protecting myself," he said.

Jones grew up hunting squirrels and later received weapon training for the U.S. Air Force. "I didn't go to war for nothing," Jones said. "I have the right to carry a gun."

Ever since his wife Virginia Pearl died in 2006, Jones has lived alone in a home on his 500-acre farm. He has worked the farm since 1955, but has been frustrated with two other burglaries this year.

In April, thieves stole 90 head of cattle from behind his home. In August, thieves stole thousands in cash, a personal check and a television.

When he heard more intruders, Jones had had enough. "We're getting tired of this damn crap," he told WKYT.

After being shot, Maxwell fell backward down the stairs, where fellow intruders Ryan Dalton, 22, and Donnie Inabnit, 20, grabbed Maxwell's body and escaped in a Chevrolet Impala.

If they didn't flee, Jones would have felt within his rights to shoot them too. "I was hoping another one would come up. I aimed right for his heart," he said.

Dalton and Inabit called Kenton County Police and said Maxwell was accidentally shot while fishing. After questioning, Dalton and Inabit admitted to being at Jones' house, reports WKYT.

Dalton and Inabit have been charged with second degree burglary and tampering with evidence.

Police told Jones to put his hands up when they arrived at his house. "I'm not putting my damn hands up," he said at first, but later obliged.

The authorities started questioning Jones and took away his rifle, much to his chagrin.

"How am I going to protect myself if they come back looking for revenge?" Jones asked.