WWII vet, 92, kills intruder with single shot in Kentucky

A 92-year-old World War II veteran describes how he shot and killed an intruder with single shot while defending his home in Verona, Ke. WLWT's Brian Hamrick reports.

A 92-year-old World War II veteran says he wasn’t scared and was only protecting himself and his property when he shot to death an intruder who broke into his home.

Earl Jones, of Verona, Ky., had already been the target of three separate break-ins in August, deputies said, according to WLWT-TV. So when the Boone County farmer heard a bang in his basement early Monday morning, Jones was ready, quickly grabbing his loaded .22-caliber rifle from his bedroom.


When the intruder kicked open the door leading up from the basement, Jones fired a single shot.

“He kicked the door and as soon as he got inside, it was all over,” Jones told WLWT-TV.

“I was hoping another one would come up – I aimed right for his heart,” Jones, who served in the U.S. Army Air Forces from 1941 through 1946, told The Cincinnati Enquirer

“Was I scared? Was I mad? Hell no,” Jones told the Enquirer. “It was simple. That man was going to take my life. He was hunting me. I was protecting myself.”

Jones then called 911. When Boone County deputies arrived, they found the basement door ajar but the intruder’s body was gone.

A short time later Kenton County Police responded to a call of a man who had been shot and found a deceased man and two others in a 2001 Chevrolet Impala.

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The dead man was identified by the sheriff’s office as Lloyd “Adam” Maxwell, 24 of Richmond, Ky.

The two people with him were brought back to Boone County and later admitted they were involved in the burglary, authorities said. Ryan Dalton, 22 and Donnie Inabnit, 20, both of Dry Ridge, Ky., were arrested and charged with second-degree burglary and tampering with physical evidence. Authorities said they removed Maxwell’s body from Jones’ home and drove away.

Jones was not injured and faces no charges at this point, WLWT reported.

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This old man should have been armed with a smiley face and hugged the robber to death.

  • 2 votes
Reply#28 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:06 PM EDT

Good Shot!!!

  • 4 votes
Reply#29 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:07 PM EDT

Hats off to you Earl Jones. America is a better place thanks to you and those like you.

  • 6 votes
Reply#30 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:07 PM EDT

Good for him.........

  • 3 votes
Reply#31 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:10 PM EDT

Sheila, Where does it say that authorities confiscated the .22? If they did, it was to do tests and the law says that he'll get the gun back. I had a gun involved in a shooting and after the courts were done with it, I got it back. Neither I nor any member of my family was the shooter in that case and I was the rightful owner but I think that since no charges will be brought against Mr. Jones, he'll get it back.

  • 2 votes
Reply#32 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:10 PM EDT

In the local edition, I just hope he has another weapon at home, but he seems pretty concerned about how he might protect himself in the meantime.

    #32.1 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:18 PM EDT
    Reply

    Good shootin' Earl! Y'all aren't called the greatest generation for nothing. My dad was USAAF, too, and taught me to shoot - don't mess with those WWII guys.

    • 5 votes
    Reply#33 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:10 PM EDT

    AIRBORNE Mr Jones. the Greatest Generation they are fighters to the end. Gotta love em

    • 5 votes
    Reply#34 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:11 PM EDT

    they say no charges filed yet they better not charge him with anything he should get a medal thanks for your service in ww2

    • 2 votes
    Reply#35 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:11 PM EDT

    There will always be people that want to take what you have away by force for their own selfish reasons and those that will stand up to these kind of people. I'm glad at what happened, its a good thing, one less home invader/killer and a message is being sent out to these kind of vermin. The next house you break into might be your LAST!!

    One things for sure, the crime rate in that area is going to go down. His neighbors should thank him.

    • 7 votes
    Reply#36 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:12 PM EDT

    good shot grandpa :)

    • 4 votes
    Reply#37 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:13 PM EDT

    That's a good way to go.

      Reply#38 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:14 PM EDT

      Awesome!

      • 4 votes
      Reply#39 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:15 PM EDT

      Great Job Earl.... this is what i call Justice! Love the 2nd amendment!

      Nevereclipsed... we don't know all the details??? The were breaking and entering... enough said- serves them right!

      Hopefully this will serve notice to other criminals out there that they should get a job and not be scum on society or else they could end up with the same fate

      • 2 votes
      Reply#40 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:15 PM EDT

      Idiot burglars! There is a reason Mr Jones is part of "the greatest generation". Over 70 years ago crazy DI's and NCO's were turning raw recruits like Mr Jones into killers; The free world was at stake!

        Reply#41 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:16 PM EDT

        He was a member of America's greatest generation. They hadn't had a chance to kill anyone since WWII but they still remember how to do it. These combat veterans have had better men than you try to kill them. Guess what, they're still here. @nevereclipsed we know the guy broke into the home of a 91 year old man and he wasn't going to ask for ice cream and cookies. You don't want him dead? Keep him home where he should be not out breaking into homes with his buddies. Too bad he didn't get his buddies.

        • 2 votes
        Reply#42 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:17 PM EDT

        That was a great generation, a group of 17 and 18 year olds that found themselves away from home for the first time in their lives. Scared stiff and still doing what they needed to do. I love this guy.

        • 1 vote
        #42.1 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:21 PM EDT
        Reply

        I am a liberal, Coyote Hunter and i would have grabbed my Springfield xd .45 or my Taurus 7 shot .357 or my Ruger sr-9 or my AK-74 or my Mossberg 12 gauge or any of my other 15 guns.So watch your mouth when you dummies always think all liberals are gun grabbing or wimps.You dam rightys are just brainwashed about everything.OBAMA 2012.

        • 1 vote
        Reply#43 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:17 PM EDT

        Ph**k you, (BJ).

        • 1 vote
        #43.1 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:20 PM EDT

        Big J, liberals and moderates do love their guns. I don't know why the right thinks we are gun scared.

        • 1 vote
        #43.2 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:24 PM EDT

        Kutztowner - please move to another country, you un-American POS!

        • 2 votes
        #43.3 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:34 PM EDT

        Because the righties listen to the drugged moran Limbaugh and don't think for themselves

        • 1 vote
        #43.4 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:34 PM EDT

        All you Idiots out there supporting OBAMA in 2012 that are gun owners better wake up! Look at Chicago and other Liberal states where they have taken away your guns! You sir are the Idiot if you vote for Obama and complain later when you finally realize his true Agenda! You cannot be a supporter of Obama and gun rights at the same time. That's like wanting your cake and eating it too!

          #43.5 - Wed Sep 5, 2012 12:07 AM EDT

          tommy, tommy, tommy, you gullible fish...the NRA is just using scare tactics. Check the record, Obama has not done anything to even threaten gun ownership.

            #43.6 - Wed Sep 5, 2012 2:00 AM EDT
            Reply

            Yes, we know that one more criminal is off the planet - never to steal or hurt anyone again.

            • 1 vote
            Reply#44 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:17 PM EDT

            Kathleen-2305544 ... Well 'Annie Oakley', like he had time where to pick and chose where to shoot ... can't you just be happy for the old feller that he's alive.

            • 1 vote
            Reply#45 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:18 PM EDT

            Mr. Jones, thank you for your continued service and saving us tax paying folks a life time of monies.

            • 2 votes
            Reply#46 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:18 PM EDT

            Earl Jones--great job--You did what you had to do just like you did in WW2 and the country salutes you and your local community should honor you also.Hell of a man.The greatest generation once again proves why they have earned that title!

            • 1 vote
            Reply#47 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:18 PM EDT

            Maybe Jones will be speaking tonight at the DNC, right after they explain "Fast and Furious"

            • 4 votes
            Reply#48 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:18 PM EDT

            no need to explain F&F - it was W Bush's program and it was terminated soon after he was gone...WASN'T IT? Oh, oops! we're not supposed to remember it was W's program?

              #48.1 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:37 PM EDT

              Nice try ELK... If you are a Liberal then move to Greece or the EU and leave our beautiful Country to us Conservatives that do not want you Liberals trying to take our rights away! In todays age you have got to be a complete moron to support OBAMA!

                #48.2 - Wed Sep 5, 2012 12:10 AM EDT

                Gee it wasn't a "try", I am an independent, leaning liberal and all I see is Republicans trying to take rights away right now. No space here for that litany, but if you think liberals are trying to take away any of your rights, you should be prepared to cite line and number - which I don't see in your post. In today's day and age you are an example of one of the major ills of this country IMO - you call me a moron with no knowledge of who or what I am. That is about as un-American as it gets sir. I respect your conservatism and agree with some of it...and disagree vigorously with much of it. That has been the debate since we started this republic, but people like you are tearing it down fast and I am concerned I may actually live to see it fall. Try to be respectful of your fellow citizens, whether you agree with them, or not. It's part of what made this country great and the lack of it is what will tear this country apart and destroy it.

                  #48.3 - Wed Sep 5, 2012 2:11 AM EDT
                  Reply

                  God bless you, Earl! You helped to save the world..., and now you saved yourself. Good goin', sir. Good damned going! One thing you should have done, though...you should have put six more shots in his ph##kin' face--- just to make an even more special impression. Nonetheless, keep givin' the donkey-holes of this world what they all deserve.

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#49 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:18 PM EDT

                  It is sad this man had been victimized to such a degree. It is sad this young person died because of his stupid decision to invade this man's home. A .22 is a very effective weapon. I guess the gents that lived learned a very effective lesson. I know others who were forced to protect themselves in a similar manner. Their experience was not cause for celebration. Nor was it a political act.

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#50 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:18 PM EDT

                  Are you on crack?! "...this young man...," a shame? Ph**K him. Kill all who would threaten the life of the good folk. A shame, my ass. He's dead. Good for him.

                  • 1 vote
                  #50.1 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:23 PM EDT
                  Reply

                  Bang on!!!

                    Reply#51 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:19 PM EDT

                    Well done Earl. That must have been his lucky 22. My late husband would had enjoyed this, cause he was a WWII vet too.

                    • 1 vote
                    Reply#52 - Tue Sep 4, 2012 10:20 PM EDT
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