Man Shot by Burglar in Cordova

Cliff's Comments: I am glad the Cordova resident was not killed or more seriously hurt in this incident. He heard a noise at 3 am, went outside to investigate, and was beaten and shot by two men who were apparently burglars.

While his motives where honorable, his tactics might not have been very wise.

If you hear a noise and think there might be threats outside in your yard, gather up your family and barricade yourself and your family in the safest room. Call 911. Wait in the room. Defend yourself and your family if the burglars try to get into the room.

And, if you have a firearm and intend to use it to defend yourself or your family, you really need to know what you are doing. It is truly a life or death matter.

Get some training in the proper use of firearms for self defense. You need to know the state laws regarding the use of deadly force and you also need to be proficient with your firearm.

A good place to start would be to take the safety class that is required for the state of Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit (HCP). The class teaches you the law regarding the use of deadly force and you get some practice shooting at the firing range. This is an excellent class to take for anyone who lives in the Memphis area.

I am aware of two places in Memphis where you can get some self defense training. The closest place to Normal Station that I am aware of is Rangemaster. Another location is RangeUSA in Barlett. Both facilities have the training that can get you started on the road to a safer, more secure family. Cliff H, Marion Avenue, Normal Station

Reported by: Dana Rebik Email: danarebik@myeyewitnessnews.com Last Update: 1/28 7:48 pm

Cordova- A man catches a pair of burglars in the act and is shot in the process.

It happened around 3:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2009 in the 8400 block of Trinity Road in Cordova. That's just a few blocks east of Germantown Parkway and right across the street from the Cordova Library.

Still wearing his hospital bracelet and scrubs, Rusty McClure says doctors told him a few inches one way or the other, and he may not be alive.

"The bullet went in my stomach missed my kidney and arteries and intestines and went out my lower back," says McClure.

McClure says he was inside his house when he heard noise in his backyard. He grabbed his gun and went outside and was attacked. McClure says one man hit him with an ax handle and another pointed a gun in his face.

"I saw the gun and I stood up and pushed it down and that’s when I heard the shot,” says McClure.

it was right in my face I stood up and pushed it away it shot my stomach and out my back")

After he was shot, McClure grabbed for his own gun.

"I aimed and didn't want to hit his chest or head so I shot him right in the fanny."

The Cordova man says during the whole ordeal, the one thing on his mind was protecting his family.

"I thank God for the way things went down. I was scared for my wife and my mother and things could have terribly gone wrong if they got through that doorway."

McClure says the men were wearing black ski masks and gloves and one of them said "shoot Johnny shoot". Memphis Police have not made any arrests in this case.

McClure says the men were about 5’10” and wearing all black, with black ski masks and gloves. If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH.