A Louisiana mother fatally shot a home invader early on Sunday morning in Tangipahoa Parish.
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene over a report of shots fired shortly after 5 a.m.
The deceased alleged burglar Robert Rheams, 51, of Hammond, had reportedly broken into the home with a lug wrench and shovel.
“Chief Jimmy Travis says deputies responded to reports of shots fired at a residence on Klein Road shortly after 5:00 AM on Sunday,” the Sheriff’s Office said in statement posted to Facebook. “During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to determine the suspect, later identified as 51 year old Robert Rheams of Hammond, was armed with a shovel and a lug wrench when he forced entry into the home of the victim and her two young children.”
During the incident, according to the post, a physical altercation took place between Rheams and the homeowner.
The confrontation ended when the mother shot Rheams.
Rheams was pronounced dead on the scene by the Tangipahoa Parish Coroner’s Office.
The suspected home invader was recently released from prison for armed robbery and has been tied to a carjacking that took place hours before the shooting.
“At the time of the incident, Rheams was out on parole after serving approximately 20 years in prison for armed robbery,” the sheriff’s office statement continued. “Detectives have also been able to tie Rheams to a carjacking which occurred hours prior to the home invasion.”
Chief Travis said that as of this time, no arrests had been made in this investigation.
Once the investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for further review.
In the statement, Chief Travis said that “this case appears to be a homeowner exercising second amendment rights to protect herself and her children from a violent home invasion.”
