“Police were called to the 100-block of Thomas Drive for a reported domestic dispute Sunday just before 7 p.m,” pittsburgh.cbslocal.com reports. “Upon arrival, several women were waiting outside, and told officers that Jody Martz, 52, had assaulted them and was still inside. The officers announced their presence and knocked on the front door.” The who’s there? arrived in ballistic form.
Martz then allegedly fired a hunting rifle from the inside of the home. The bullet traveled through the wall and struck an officer’s right front breast pocket, “damaging his uniform.” He was not injured.
“We were this close,” said Chief Otto, showing an inch worth of distance with his hand. “Sometimes you’re lucky, sometimes you’re blessed, at the end of the day I don’t care which one we are as long as we go home to our loved ones.”
Yup, it’s ye olde “as long as we get home at night” routine. Still, thank God.
Officers interviewed 10 or 11 women who were inside the home for a party. They said Martz pushed or punched one woman in the back, punched his wife in the head, pushed another woman to the ground and finally choked another guest.
Uh, weren’t there any other men at the hoe-down? I wonder what was going on behind those closed doors . . .
This is a perfect example of the importance of knowing the difference between cover (the bad guy can’t shoot you) and concealment (the bad guy can’t see you). An important lesson for anyone planning on practicing home defense.