A Pike County man was arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly breaking into his neighbor’s home and threatening to kill the family. The homeowner, acting in self-defense, shot the suspect in the leg after the intruder’s firearm misfired.
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ELKHORN CITY, KY (3-minute read) — A tense situation unfolded late Monday night in Elkhorn City when a homeowner was forced to defend his family from an armed and intoxicated neighbor who allegedly broke into their house and made deadly threats.
Kentucky State Police arrested 44-year-old George Standifur following the incident on W 5th Street. Authorities say they responded to a 911 call from a resident reporting they had shot an intruder during a break-in.
When troopers arrived, they found Standifur in an alley behind the home, still armed and refusing to comply with police commands. According to the citation, Standifur repeatedly threatened to kill the responding officers. After a prolonged standoff, he finally set the firearm down, allowing troopers to move in and secure the scene. Standifur then resisted arrest and was noted to be heavily intoxicated.
Further investigation revealed that Standifur lived in a camper next door to the intended victims. The family told police that he barged into their home uninvited and began threatening to kill everyone inside. One man in the house reported that Standifur attempted to shoot him in the head, but the firearm misfired. The homeowner then retrieved his own firearm and shot Standifur in the leg.
Even after being wounded, Standifur allegedly tried to fire at a woman in the home, but again, the firearm failed to discharge. The family managed to push him out of the house and immediately contacted authorities.
Standifur now faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, wanton endangerment of a police officer, terroristic threatening, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, menacing, and public intoxication.
Home Defense Laws in Kentucky
Kentucky law supports the right to defend oneself in one’s home under the Castle Doctrine, which allows the use of force — including deadly force — against an intruder when the person reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent death or serious injury. In this case, the homeowner’s actions appear to fall under this legal protection.
Safety Tip: Always store your firearm securely and know your state’s self-defense laws thoroughly. If you carry concealed, maintain regular training and ensure your firearm is in working order to avoid critical malfunctions during emergencies.
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