Homeowner Shoots ‘Erratic’ Man Praying to Horse By: Kimber Pearce

A Missouri homeowner shot and killed a man last week when the stranger’s “erratic behavior” culminated in an attempted home break-in.

The homeowner, a middle-aged man, called police to report a suspect in his front yard. Police reported that the homeowner described the stranger as having “erratic behavior.”

According to Fox 4, the erratic stranger, identified as 37-year-old Joshua Hinderliter, had no shirt on. 

Then Hinderliter knelt in the front yard next to the homeowner’s dog and a horse. Reports have not clarified who the horse belonged to. 

According to KQ2, Hinderliter may have been praying to or for the horse. 

The homeowner called the police at this point. He reported a “suspicious person.”

“The homeowner came outside to tell the man to get off of his property,” KQ2 reports. This is when Hinderliter rushed at the home.

Hinderliter attempted to forcibly enter the home, reports KSHB. The homeowner shot him. 

Police arrived on the scene and found Hinderliter dead from the gunshot wound. The homeowner was not injured and neither, apparently, was his dog.

When the homeowner fired his shot, the dog ran away. Two hours later, police had still not found him. On the other hand, the mysterious horse was not injured and stayed put.

The police have not announced any charges against the homeowner so far. Missouri has strong pro-gun laws, supporting the homeowner’s right to shoot in self-defense.

Nearby, North Platte High School received a suggestion from the Sheriff’s Office to go on lockdown. 

After an hour, deputies informed the school that all was safe.

A shirtless, erratic man praying to a horse is not a typical sight. The need to shoot that kind of man is quite appealing. 

READ MORE: Missouri Homeowner Fatally Shoots Burglar, Receives No Charges

Which does not make preparation any less important. An odd scenario, however unlikely, might still require you to act. 

That homeowner could not have imagined he would have to shoot. But he prepared himself in advance and knew what to do.

Have you done the same?

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