Huntsville, Alabama

From the Huntsville Times of December 19, 2006

4 arrested in home invasion

Shots exchanged in city's 2nd incident in 12-hour span

Police arrested two men and two women in connection with a home invasion Monday at 2416 Springhill Road after the homeowner exchanged gunfire with intruders. It was the second home invasion in the city within 12 hours.

Police also made arrests over the weekend in connection with a Dec. 1 home invasion.

Lorenza Elliott Sr., 66, said he and his son, Lorenza Elliott Jr., 28, were at home shortly before 11 a.m. Monday when his son saw four people - two men and two women - brandishing guns on his front porch. One person had a 9 mm pistol and another was carrying a rifle, he said.

"He called to me when he saw them out there with guns," Elliott Sr. said.

Elliott Sr., a former Decatur police officer, said he was retrieving his .357 Magnum pistol out of the bedroom when the intruders kicked in his door and accused his son of breaking into their home across the street on Eastland Drive.

"He (one intruder) kicked the door in and said "get your (expletive) out of here. I'm going to kill you,''' Elliott Sr. said. "The door just flew open."

Elliott Sr. said he told the intruders that his son was not involved in any burglary, then one of the men fired a shot, hitting the doorframe. Elliott Sr. said he then fired back, and the intruders retreated to their home on Eastland.

Elliott Sr. said his former police training helped him exercise restraint when he returned fire by not aiming directly at the intruders.

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