A girl in Illinois was found badly beaten in her parents’ home, and when her father discovered who the culprit was, he decided to take matters into his own hands. He tracked down the abuser, and in the commotion that followed, the father and accused man both ended up getting shot. Police were called to the scene, and both men involved were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Wood River police reported that the two involved parties were both shot and it is unclear yet if there will be any charges pressed.
The shooting occurred in the early hours of a Tuesday morning, and the police are actively investigating the situation. Wood River is a small town that is located around a half-hour outside of St. Louis. Upon witnessing the incident, neighbors were shocked at such a violent act taking place in their community. However, some residents spoke off-camera to local news stations and gave their accounts of what they saw.
One neighbor reported hearing a gunshot and then seeing the two men in the middle of the street, with the older man pointing a gun at the younger one. He heard the older man saying “That’s my daughter! She means everything to me!” while the younger man begged for his life, but ultimately he was shot. Another neighbor noted that she still feels safe in the area and did not believe the situation was indicative of a larger problem.
Resident Mildred Rulo stated to KTVI, “My thought is, ‘I’m just glad they knew each other.’”
She continued stating that she still feels safe in the area, “If I thought someone was going around the neighborhood shooting people just for the fun of it, I would have been sure the doors was locked. And I’d be more careful about who I opened the door to.”
Others in the community had mixed reactions, with some sympathizing with the father’s actions and others thinking he took it too far. One resident noted that it is hard to blame a parent for wanting to protect their child, but using a gun was unnecessary.
I am totally fine with a little vigilante justice. And cops should turn a blind eye to the person doing the beating in a case like this. We would have a lot less issues if they did. https://t.co/iDLUxk2d3T
— Jack (@ILikeMyLiberty) December 29, 2023
Local authorities have not yet released the names of the two men involved, and it is unclear if there will be any charges pressed. The police have stated that they will turn the case over to the state attorney’s office once the investigation is completed.
Many residents were surprised by the incident, as Wood River is typically a peaceful and safe community. Some residents noted that they were glad the two men knew each other, as it was not a random act of violence. Others expressed concern for the victim and hoped that she would recover from her injuries.
The shooting has sparked debate among residents about gun control and the use of firearms in self-defense. Some believe that the father was justified in using his gun to protect his daughter, while others believe that it went too far and the situation could have been handled differently.
This incident has left the community of Wood River shaken, but many are confident that the police will handle the situation appropriately. As the investigation continues, residents are keeping a close eye out for any updates on the case. In the meantime, the community is rallying together to support the victim and her family during this difficult time.
