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Philly deputy chief shoots woman he says broke into his home in the middle of the day. Suspected burglar is in critical condition.

7 comments

Watch story from KYW-TV

Excerpts from KYW-TV:

Sources say Deputy Fire Chief Robert Wilkins was a sleep in a second floor bedroom of his home in the 1700 block of Hoffnagle Street when he heard a noise downstairs.

Wilkins reportedly found a woman in his home who had broken in through a front door. The deputy fire chief allegedly opened fire on the 38-year-old female shooting her several times. The unidentified suspect attempted to escape, but collapsed on the street corner. She was rushed to Aria Torresdale Hospital in critical condition.

Neighbors say Wilkins works irregular hours, so the suspect was probably surprised to find him home.

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Posted by on March 25, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Police • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

7 Comments

  1. Otis Campbell says

    Great job by the Chief! This is the treatment that all burglars should expect. It’s wonderful to read a story with a happy ending … I hope she gets 20 years in the lockup …

    on March 26, 2010 @ 12:31 pm. Reply
  2. Barney Fife says

    I’ll bet she has a line of Lawyers already wanting to help her file a lawsuit claiming reckless endangerment… cruel and unusual punishment and whatever else they can dream up. The sad thing is I’ll bet if she does sue she’ll win!

    on March 26, 2010 @ 4:06 pm. Reply
  3. jay says

    Good job chief.
    Protecting your own home is the way to go.

    on March 27, 2010 @ 9:07 pm. Reply
  4. PPD says

    Great Job Chief..hope the city gives you an award..

    on March 28, 2010 @ 1:19 pm. Reply
  5. 2nd Amendment says

    I am a little late getting to this, but I believe Penn has a form of the Castle Doctrine, so she would not have a leg to stand on in court. He does “not” need to prove she had a weapon, just that she was in his home, and should’nt have been, at the time of the shooting. He’s covered. Not like in VA where you have to politely ask the robber if they are armed, if they plan to harm you, and if they want a glass of tea. Only if they answer yes to two or more questions, and once you prove you or your life is in danger, can you fire upon them. Hell, you can’t even brandish a weapon in front of someone breaking into your home. You have to think about their rights and feelings first! Great job Chief! Probably should have had a few more rounds though!

    on April 21, 2010 @ 7:26 am. Reply

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Continuing the Discussion

  1. Tweets that mention Philly deputy chief shoots woman he says broke into his home in the middle of the day. Suspected burglar is in critical condition. | STATter911.com -- Topsy.com linked to this post

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dave Statter. Dave Statter said: Philly dep. #fire chief shoots woman. #Police – daylight break-in as chief slept. http://tinyurl.com/ygrgpas #firefighter #firefighting #EMS [...]

    on March 26, 2010 @ 1:12 am.
  2. Promotional Opportunities | Firegeezer linked to this post

    [...] Wilkens made news back in March 2010 when he shot a woman who had broken into his home in mid-day.  Wilkens was sleeping upstairs when she broke out the glass in a storm door and kicked in the front door of the house.  Hearing the noise downstairs, Wilkens grabbed a gun and confronted her.  When she turned and started running away, he shot her four times.  Despite the fact that she was running away and she was unarmed, no charges were filed because it was ruled to be "self defense" on the deputy chief's part.  (see video report from STATter911.) [...]

    on April 3, 2012 @ 8:30 am.