OAK HARBOR, WASHINGTON — A 63-year-old neighbor allegedly attempted to hit a neighbor with a no-contact restraining order against him. The homeowner, fearing for his life, used his handgun to fire a single shot through the door of the vehicle, striking his attacker.
According to KOMO News, the aggressor was airlifted to a hospital where he was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. An investigation is underway to determine the reasoning behind the man’s attack but criminal charges are likely because he was under a no-contact restraining order.
Witnesses to the scene say that the middle-aged neighbor barged onto the homeowner’s property and began to be argumentative and aggressive. He then got into his vehicle and drove up on the man’s property, narrowly missing the homeowner.
What started the argument or inspired this random act of violence, no one is certain. But because of the restraining order against him, he is already in serious violation. He will likely be charged with attempting to hit his neighbor with his vehicle as well as violating the conditions of that protective order.
This is why we get restraining orders.
If a neighbor, relative, or anyone makes a habit of repeatedly demonstrating he or she could be a threat to you, get a restraining order.
This establishes a paper trail so that if this person does develop into a legitimate danger to you, your family, or your property, you have proper recourse in defending yourself.
One thing a prosecutor is going to look at is whether or not a restraining order was taken out prior to the incident. This indicates to him that there was obviously some perceived threat there and the person defending himself took steps to mitigate it without violence.
It doesn’t matter what the source of the problem is — if a person gets threatening and violently argumentative, it’s time to take steps to protect yourself. This also bolsters your case if you ever do, unfortunately, have to defend yourself from this person.
A restraining order and following the proper protocols can make your legal defense much simpler in the rare instance you’re forced to defend yourself, your family, or your property from imminent harm.