Woman Defends Home from Shovel-Wielding Man
According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, the shooting occurred around 5 a.m. on Sunday at a Hammond house, Louisiana, WVUE reports.
Detectives claim that Robert Rheams (51) was wearing a ski mask, armed with a shovel, a lug wrench, and a shovel when he entered the home of a mother and her two children.
Rheams and the homeowner had a physical altercation that ended when Rheams shot the intruder. The parish coroner declared Rheams dead at the scene.
Jimmy Travis, Chief of the Sheriff’s Office, said that Rheams was now out on parole having served almost 20 years in prison for armed burglary. Rheams was convicted of attempted carjacking.
Travis stated that the car’s owner was an out-of state worker who had been staying at a motel and Rheams requested a ride.
Travis stated that Travis was able to escape the car after striking the driver with his fist during the drive. The driver then ran into a ditch and caused the car to get stuck. “The driver was able exit the car and run to safety.”
Travis stated that the driver had been battered and bruised by the attack and that the suspect left his car. Chief Travis stated that the attack on the driver left the victim battered and bruised. He also said that the break-in at the house of the woman appeared completely random, and that they had no prior knowledge about each other.
