Preparedness
Homeowner’s Self-Defense Shooting of Officer Sparks Investigation
In a tragic and perplexing incident, a Georgia homeowner found himself in a life-or-death situation when he fatally shot an off-duty Atlanta police officer who had broken into his home. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has released surveillance footage that sheds light on the events that unfolded early Friday morning.
The video shows the officer, Aubree Horton, shirtless and shoeless, attempting to break into the residence just after 5 a.m. The homeowner, acting in self-defense, shot Horton after he forcibly entered the home.
The incident took place in Winston, Georgia, a community located about 30 minutes west of Atlanta. The surveillance footage captures Horton yelling and running towards the house in the early morning darkness. He can be heard slamming his body against the door and shouting, “Help me!” and “Kill me!” before making another attempt to force his way inside.
As the video continues, Horton sits down on the porch, and the homeowner can be heard asking, “Who are you?” Horton responds with, “I love you. No, just kill me,” before lying down on the porch. The video concludes with Horton standing up again as the homeowner continues to communicate with him.
The sheriff’s office has redacted certain portions of the video, including the sound of the fatal shot and the response of law enforcement officers. These will be made available once the investigation is complete.
Prior to the incident, the homeowner’s wife had left for work but was alerted by her Ring doorbell camera to the unfolding situation. She promptly called 911. The homeowner, who had been in bed, was awakened by the commotion and, fearing for his wife’s safety, armed himself before approaching the front door.
The sheriff’s office noted that the couple had previously experienced an attempted burglary in 2021, which had prompted them to enhance their home’s security measures. This past experience may have heightened the homeowner’s sense of urgency and fear during the incident.
When the homeowner cracked the door open to assess the situation, Horton rushed inside, knocking him to the ground. In a moment of fear for his life, the homeowner discharged a single shot, resulting in Horton’s death.
The sheriff’s office is collaborating with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, and they have stated, “after reviewing the available facts, we are both confident that no charges will be filed against the homeowner.”
The situation is further complicated by Horton’s background. He was a decorated officer, having been named Investigator of the Year at the Atlanta Police Foundation’s 20th Annual “Crime Is Toast” Awards just days before the incident. Horton, who lived nearby, may have been experiencing a mental health crisis or was possibly under the influence of narcotics at the time, though toxicology results are still pending.
Authorities have dispelled rumors that the homeowner was connected to Horton or that Horton was involved in a domestic disturbance. “There is no truth to the claim that Officer Horton was involved in a domestic disturbance, or that any family member of his sought refuge at the home. Horton was completely unknown to the homeowner,” the sheriff’s office clarified.
As the investigation continues, the community and Horton’s colleagues are left grappling with the loss of an esteemed officer under such tragic circumstances.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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These Everyday Skills Could Save Your Life Or Someone Else’s
When an emergency hits, it’s too late to start Googling. Whether it’s a power outage, car breakdown, unexpected hike gone wrong, or full-scale disaster, knowing what to do before chaos strikes is the difference between staying calm and spiraling. The good news? You don’t need military training or a bug-out bunker. You just need to learn these 10 core survival skills ahead of time and they’ll serve you in everyday life too.
1. Fire-Starting Without a Lighter
Being able to start a fire in wet or windy conditions is a skill that spans thousands of years and it still matters. Learn to use a ferro rod, flint and steel, or even a magnifying glass. Practice with damp tinder, and always carry some dryer lint or cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly.
2. Basic First Aid
Knowing how to stop bleeding, treat burns, or manage a broken bone is essential. Sign up for a CPR/first aid course you’ll gain life-saving knowledge and confidence. Bonus: it’s just as useful at a family BBQ as in a forest.
3. Navigation Without GPS
Batteries die. Satellites fail. Learn to read a paper map, use a compass, and find direction using the sun or stars. Even basic orienteering skills can get you out of a jam.
4. Knot-Tying for Real-World Use
The right knot can save your gear or your life. Know how to tie a bowline, square knot, and trucker’s hitch. These knots can help build shelter, secure loads, and make emergency repairs.
5. Water Purification and Collection
You can survive weeks without food but only 3 days without water. Learn how to boil, filter, or chemically treat water. Know where to find it in urban and wild environments, like rain catchment or condensation traps.
6. Shelter Building With Natural Materials
Even in a warm climate, exposure can be deadly. Practice building lean-tos, debris huts, or tarp shelters using branches, leaves, and cordage. A good shelter keeps you warm, dry, and protected from the elements.
7. Situational Awareness
Learn to scan your environment, trust your instincts, and notice small changes around you. Awareness prevents problems, whether it’s spotting a fire hazard, noticing someone following you, or avoiding dangerous terrain.
8. Cooking Without Electricity
Know how to cook over open flames, on a wood stove, or using solar ovens. It’s more than survival, it’s resilience. Start by learning to boil, grill, or bake without relying on modern conveniences.
9. Signaling for Help
If you’re stuck, you’ll need to be found. Learn how to use mirrors, flares, whistles, or even create large ground signals like “SOS” using rocks or logs. Understanding rescue priorities can make you easier to spot and faster to save.
10. Mental Resilience and Problem Solving
This is the quiet skill that holds it all together. Practice staying calm under pressure through breath control, visualization, or even journaling. In any crisis, your mindset determines whether you freeze… or adapt.
🧭 Final Thought
The best time to learn these survival skills is when you don’t need them. They aren’t just about extreme situations they teach self-reliance, confidence, and control. The more you know, the less you fear and the better prepared you’ll be when life throws the unexpected your way.
When disaster strikes, you don’t always have a survival kit, tactical knife, or fancy equipment on hand. But here’s the truth: most of what you need to stay alive might already be in your home, office, or even your pockets. Survival isn’t just about being tough it’s about being resourceful. And with a little creativity, ordinary objects can become extraordinary lifesavers.
1. Bandana – The Swiss Army Cloth
A simple bandana can do more than keep sweat off your neck. It can filter dirty water through layers of fabric, serve as a makeshift sling or bandage, and even protect your lungs from dust or smoke. Soak it in cool water to regulate your temperature, or use it as a flag to signal for help. If you don’t have one, a T-shirt or scarf can do the job.
2. Duct Tape – The Ultimate Fix-All
There’s a reason duct tape belongs in every emergency bag. It can patch holes in tents, mend broken shoes, and even seal wounds in a pinch (apply gauze first). Twist strips into rope or cord to build shelter or tie gear. It’s waterproof, strong, and takes up almost no space proof that survival is often about ingenuity, not gear.
3. Belt – From Fashion to Function
A sturdy belt can do more than hold up your jeans. In an emergency, it can become a tourniquet to slow bleeding, a strap to secure gear, or a way to climb or drag supplies. Leather belts also double as fire starters when scraped or used to create sparks with metal. Never underestimate what’s already wrapped around your waist.
4. Credit Card – Not for Shopping Anymore
That little piece of plastic can save your life in surprising ways. It can act as a scraper to remove ice, clean a wound, or smooth surfaces. In urban settings, it can even help unlock certain types of doors or windows in emergencies (though always within the law). It’s lightweight, flat, and unbreakable perfect for quick problem-solving.
5. Plastic Bottles – Hydration and Beyond
Plastic bottles can purify, store, and transport water. Cut the bottom off to make a funnel or plant container, or fill with water and leave in sunlight to disinfect it (solar disinfection works in about six hours of bright sun). Bottles can also serve as makeshift lanterns when filled with water and placed over a flashlight.
6. Trash Bags – Shelter in Disguise
A heavy-duty garbage bag is an unsung hero. With a few cuts, it becomes a rain poncho, sleeping bag liner, or emergency shelter. It can also collect rainwater or insulate against cold ground. Carry a few you’ll thank yourself later.
Final Thought
In a true emergency, the most valuable tool isn’t what’s in your hand it’s what’s in your head. Thinking creatively under pressure turns common items into life-saving gear. You don’t need to be a survivalist to survive; you just need to see the potential in what’s already around you.
When disaster hits and grocery stores run out of stock, your survival depends on what’s already in your pantry. You don’t need fancy freeze-dried meals, just smart, long-lasting foods that keep you nourished, energized, and ready to adapt. Here are ten essentials that could literally save your life when everything else is gone.
1. Rice
A bag of rice can feed you for weeks. It’s compact, calorie-dense, and easy to cook with minimal fuel. Brown rice has more nutrients, but white rice stores longer, lasting up to 30 years in airtight containers.
2. Beans (Canned or Dried)
Protein and fiber are survival gold. Beans black, kidney, or lentils provide steady energy and can be eaten alone or combined with rice for a complete meal. Dried beans last longer, but canned beans are ready to eat if water or heat are limited.
3. Peanut Butter
High in calories, fat, and protein, peanut butter is one of the best survival foods on earth. It doesn’t need refrigeration and keeps for months after opening. A few spoonfuls a day can sustain you through hard times.
4. Oats
Oats require little water, cook fast, and provide long-lasting energy. They’re versatile—make oatmeal, energy bars, or add them to soups to stretch meals.
5. Canned Tuna or Chicken
Canned meats offer vital protein and omega-3s. They’re lightweight, long-lasting, and require no cooking. Rotate your stock every few years for freshness.
6. Honey
Honey never spoils. It can sweeten bland food, soothe a sore throat, and even treat wounds due to its natural antibacterial properties.
7. Powdered Milk
When fresh dairy is gone, powdered milk gives you calcium, protein, and essential vitamins. Mix with filtered water or use in cooking.
8. Salt
Salt preserves food, balances electrolytes, and adds flavor. In survival situations, it’s worth more than gold.
9. Canned Vegetables and Fruit
These provide hydration, vitamins, and variety. Drink the liquid inside it’s full of nutrients.
10. Energy or Protein Bars
Compact, lightweight, and packed with calories, they’re perfect for bug-out bags or quick energy during stressful moments.
Final Tip: Store your food in cool, dark places and rotate supplies regularly. When the shelves go bare, preparation turns panic into confidence and survival into just another day you’re ready for.
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Don
October 23, 2024 at 12:44 pm
Several months for the toxicology report??? This police officer was going through something bad.