An 80-year-old man from California is facing murder charges after a home invasion turned deadly — sparking a national debate about self-defense and justice.
The homeowner, identified as Tom Greer, told police that two intruders — a man and a woman — broke into his Long Beach home, attacked him, and knocked him to the ground. Bruised and shaken, Greer said he managed to crawl to his bedroom and grab a handgun.
As the suspects fled, Greer followed them outside and fired multiple shots. The woman, later identified as Andrea Miller, was struck and fatally wounded in a nearby alley. Her partner was later caught and charged with burglary.
What happened next divided public opinion.
According to Greer, the woman begged for her life, claiming she was pregnant — but he said he didn’t believe her. “She says, ‘Don’t shoot me, I’m pregnant!’ I shot her anyway,” Greer told reporters. “I have no regrets. They broke into my home. They attacked me.”
Authorities later confirmed that Miller was not pregnant, but prosecutors say the shooting went beyond self-defense since the suspects were running away when Greer opened fire.
Under California law, a person may defend themselves during an attack, but pursuing and shooting fleeing suspects may be considered excessive force.
The case quickly went viral online, with people fiercely divided:
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Some call Greer a hero who defended his home.
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Others say he crossed the line, turning defense into vengeance.
As Greer awaits trial, the case reignites a nationwide debate:
When does self-defense become murder? And how far can fear push an ordinary person to act in extraordinary ways?