A woman with a concealed carry license fatally shot a man who was attempting to break into a Chicago apartment where her relative and children were inside. The intruder, with a long history of domestic violence and 64 prior arrests, had reportedly made death threats during the incident.
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CHICAGO, IL (4-minute read) — A Chicago woman armed with a concealed carry license shot and killed a man early Saturday morning as he attempted to break into a relative’s apartment in East Garfield Park, according to police.
The incident occurred just before 7 a.m. in the 3400 block of West Monroe Street. Police say a 33-year-old man was aggressively trying to kick in the back door of the apartment while making threats toward a woman and her children inside. The frightened resident called both police and a family member; a 28-year-old woman who holds a valid concealed carry license (CCL). She arrived before officers and confronted the suspect.
Despite her presence, the man continued his efforts, going so far as to break a bedroom window and shout death threats at the occupants inside. Fearing for the lives of the woman and children, the armed relative fired several shots at the intruder, hitting him multiple times. He was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police say the incident is believed to be domestic-related, and no charges have been filed against the CCL holder. She was questioned by detectives and later released. The Cook County Medical Examiner has yet to publicly release the name of the deceased, but sources confirm he had an extensive criminal history.
Criminal History Raises Questions on Pretrial Release
Arrest records show the man had been arrested a staggering 64 times in Chicago since 2009, with 11 convictions. Nearly two dozen of those arrests were related to domestic violence and violations of protective orders. Just weeks before the shooting, he was arrested at the same address for domestic battery and criminal damage to property.
Initially denied bail, he was later granted pretrial release on August 29 under conditions. Many are now questioning how someone with such a violent record was allowed back into the community, especially after a judge previously determined he should be held without bail.
Armed Self-Defense: A Last Resort but a Legal Right
This incident serves as a stark reminder of why some choose to carry a firearm for personal protection, especially in high-crime areas or when past violence is a factor. Illinois law permits licensed individuals to carry concealed firearms and to use deadly force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm.
Safety Tip: If you’re a concealed carry holder, regularly train in de-escalation and safe firearm handling. Always know your local laws regarding use of force and self-defense.
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