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Sunday, May 27, 2012

Recent Grad Faces Trespassing Charge After Getting Shot While Stumbling Into Unlocked Home

A 21-year-old woman who was shot in the hip by a Colorado homeowner after police said she drunkenly wandered into a house now faces a felony trespassing charge, prosecutors said.

Zoey Ripple, who graduated from the University of Colorado earlier this month, entered a couple’s Boulder home through an unlocked door at around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, police said.

Ripple apparently ignored warnings from the couple that they had a gun and walked into their bedroom. Homeowner Timothy Justice fired one shot in the darkness, police said.

When Justice and his wife switched on the lights, they saw Ripple on the floor with a gunshot wound. They later told police they did not recognize her as anyone they knew.

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12 comments:

Queensgirl52 said...

Let me understand this. You can't be bothered to lock your doors, but you keep a gun? God help us!

Queensgirl52 said...

I would have tried locking the doors before resorting to firearms, but that's just me. Were these people HOPING to shoot somebody?

Anonymous said...

an open door does not mean anyone is allowed to enter. or maybe that's just me

Anonymous said...

Maybe they forgot to lock the door...Either way they have the right to protect their home locked or unlocked. If someone was walking into your room in the middle of the night and you had a gun what would you do throw it at them?

Anonymous said...

She had no business trespassing on privalte property. Much less that fact that she entered their house it does not matter if they left a door unlocked. No one should enter your house uninvited.
It seems the article said they shouted warnings at her and she disregarded them and went into their house anyway. She is lucky she is not dead. Good for the homeowners. I bet another druck will think twice before entering that house.

MIKE said...

so you think its ok to get so drunk you cant figure out your in the wrong house you ignore repeated warnings to leave and you think the wrong part is she got shot. what a freakin idiot.

Anonymous said...

Queensgirl52
So it's THEIR fault and not the trespasser's????

Anonymous said...

So...because you accidently left your patio door unlocked, you deserve to get whatever comes through the door? "Oh, hunny lets leave the door unlocked. I hope someone breaks in so we can try out live target practice" No. Drunk chick not only went in, but didn't stop coming after multiple warnings. I would've shot her as well, but without warning.

Anonymous said...

My grandmother never locked her door Queensgirl52 and she would have done the same thing. So whats your point? Thing is if you are that dang drunk you do not know where you belong then a locked door may not have stopped her either.One sure thing is the good folks with the firearm did stop her and I'll bet she will remember where she is not welcome.

Anonymous said...

OK so we're gonna make this the homeowners fault now? It can never be the fault of a crime victim that they were victimized. She entered the house at 3:30 in the morning. She got what she deserved.

Anonymous said...

Queensgirl52 said...

I would have tried locking the doors before resorting to firearms, but that's just me. Were these people HOPING to shoot somebody?

May 27, 2012 2:47 PM

You are obviously a liberal idiot. I hope someone breaks into your house and violates you because you are to stupid to invest in protection.

Anonymous said...

Why is it people want to call all liberals idiots. Just because we believe in helping others and some social safety nets does not make us stupid. I live in the country have several large dogs am well armed and wouldn't hesitate to shoot anyone that came into my house uninvited. Especially at 3:00 in the morning. I also would not have warned them. No matter what political party you are we all have our own individual thoughts and ideas. I don't want to see Obama re elected I also don't want to see Romney get in. Both sides have good and bad policies. Maybe I should Judy go independent so people know I think for myself.