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JHU Student Kills Suspected Burglar With Sword
posted 09/15/09
6:41 pm
The undergrads who live in the rowhouse in the 300 block of University Boulevard went into the backyard about 1:20 a.m. to check on a noise. They had experienced a break-in the day before and were concerned and scared. One them carried a decorative samurai-type sword.
The student told police he found a man hiding under a counter in the garage, and when he yelled for his housemates to call 911, the man lunged toward him.
"The student, in a panic, swung a samurai sword, striking the suspect in the left wrist, partially severing the man's hand," said Baltimore police Det. Donny Moses. "Unfortunately the suspect bled out and was pronounced dead at the scene."
Police identified him as Donald Rice, a career thief just two days out of jail from another burglary charge.
The student is a pre-med junior from New Jersey with no criminal history. The tragic intersection of their very different lives has neighbors shaking their heads in sadness.
"There were two people in that yard: one had a weapon, one didn't -- both were scared," said Daniel Toland. "Maybe the kid did the right thing, I don't know."
But for Monica Baker, "I mean to arm yourself to investigate is one thing, to act like that is totally different."
Fellow student Diego Ardila lived in the house over the summer. He believes the student who swung the sword did what he had to.
"It was self defense," Ardila said. "It was just such a shock. You just don't expect someone you know to kill a man with a samurai sword, I guess."
Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says campus police and an off-duty city officer responding to a call for a suspicious person heard screams to call police around 1:20 a.m. Tuesday in the 300 block of University Boulevard.
Police have released the students after interviewing them. One detective told ABC 7's Brad Bell it appears to be a case of self-defense. A final ruling on whether the student will face charges is up to the state's attorney's office. That decision could take a couple of weeks.
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Latest Comments on "JHU Student Kills Suspected Burglar With Sword"
posted by: rowerontheriver on 8:15 pm on 09/15/09
But for Monica Baker, "I mean to arm yourself to investigate is one thing, to act like that is totally different."
Seriously? Why carry a weapon if you're not going to use it? Best case you might be able to convince them you are going to use it, worst case they call your bluff and use it on you. Don't carry a weapon if you don't have the intention of using it.
Seriously? Why carry a weapon if you're not going to use it? Best case you might be able to convince them you are going to use it, worst case they call your bluff and use it on you. Don't carry a weapon if you don't have the intention of using it.
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