Armed Intruder Thought He Could Take 82-Year-Old Vet- Think Again!

In a terrifying turn of events, an 82-year-old Vietnam veteran found himself facing an armed intruder in his own home. However, instead of becoming a victim, the elderly man put up a courageous fight and managed to beat the robber to death, saving both his own life and his wife’s. The shocking incident took place in the Parrish’s home in South Carolina, and neighbors were stunned by the sudden violence in their usually peaceful community.

According to Lois Parrish, she opened the door to a man claiming to be looking for his lost dog. “I told him no, I hadn’t,” she recalls. But this was just the beginning, as the disguised robber forced his way into the Parrish home and attacked Lois with a knife, leaving a deep gash on her forehead. It was at this point that her husband, Herbert, decided it was time to defend his family and his home from the armed intruder.

Fueled by the determination to protect his wife, Herbert grabbed a shotgun hanging on the wall and repeatedly struck the intruder, later identified as 61-year-old Harold Runnels. “I felt, we’re gone. He’s going to kill us and take what he can take,” Herbert recounted. His quick thinking and bravery paid off as he managed to incapacitate Runnels, who was found unconscious on the floor by authorities.

Runnels was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries. However, in the face of such violence, many believe that he got what he deserved. Neighbors, such as Jessica Clark, who had always known the Parrish couple to be kind and peaceful, were proud of their ability to defend themselves. “OK, so that guy picked the wrong house,” Clark commented.

The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office also seemed to agree that the Parrish couple acted within their rights to defend themselves. “Folks have the right to defend themselves if their lives are in danger,” stated Capt. Eric Abdullah. He reminded people that while the best thing to do is call for help, in certain situations, it may not be possible. Asserting that each situation is different, Abdullah emphasized the importance of thinking quickly and acting smartly.

For Herbert Parrish, calling for help was not an option when he saw his wife facing a potentially life-threatening attack. In that moment, he made a split-second decision to fight back and protect his family, and it paid off. The fact that an elderly couple was able to fend off a much younger, armed intruder is nothing short of miraculous. It is a reminder that in dangerous situations, one must do whatever is necessary to survive.

In a shocking chain of events that could have ended much differently, an 82-year-old Vietnam veteran fell victim to an armed intruder. Rather than losing his own life or his wife's, however, the elderly man put up a fight and successfully beat the… https://t.co/1qDlOEWbBN

— Mad World News (@MadWorldNews) September 23, 2023

While an intruder lost his life, an innocent couple is alive and well. The Parrishes’ unwavering courage and determination to protect themselves saved their lives, and that is something to be celebrated.

As Capt. Abdullah puts it, “The best recourse is to think smartly and get help on the way.” The Parrish couple did just that, and they are a shining example of how bravery and quick thinking can make all the difference in a dangerous situation.