Vietnam Vet Beats Knife-Wielding Home Intruder To Death With Shotgun

79-year-old Lois Parrish thought she was a goner when a man pushed his way into her home and cut her with his knife. But, her Vietnam veteran husband saved them both by bludgeoning the armed intruder to death with the butt of his shotgun.

Harrold Runnels, who lived in a nearby mobile park, knocked on the door of the Parrish’s Jackson, South Carolina home.

He told Lois he was looking for a chihuahua and wanted to know if she had seen it. She said no and began to close the door.

Then, in an instant, 61-year-old Runnels overwhelmed poor Lois and entered the house.

Armed Intruder Slashed Elderly Woman With Knife

Runnels had a large knife that he used to hit Lois and her husband Herbert. The intruder then slashed the older woman in the forehead.

“I felt, we’re gone,’ the 82-year-old veteran said. ‘He’s going to kill us and take what he can take.”

But, that wasn’t going to happen.

Suddenly, the Vietnam veteran decided to fight back. He grabbed a shotgun off the wall. He began bludgeoning Runnels with the butt of the gun and he didn’t let up.

“I started hitting him in the head with the barrel and I know I must have hit him at least ten times right in the face, just as hard as I could hit him,” Herbert Parrish said.

When police arrived, they found Runnels bloodied and unconscious on the floor. He was taken to the hospital and later to the morgue.

Harrold Runnels died as a result of his decision to break into the Parrish’s home and attack them.

Herbert and Lois Parrish were injured, but are expected to both make complete recoveries from the assault.

RELATED: Crowd Goes Wild For WWII Veteran Who Plays National Anthem On His Harmonica

Vietnam Veteran Gives Interview With Tarp On Floor To Cover Intruder’s Blood

Rarely are stories that began as this one did end in this fashion. These elderly homeowners stood their ground with Herbert repurposing the shotgun to defend them both.

This should serve as a warning to anyone considering attacking someone they believe to be weak and vulnerable. There are alternative ways of fighting back.

Undettered by the situation, the couple gave an interview with a tarp over the floor where Runnels was bludgeoned to death. They know they didn’t do anything wrong.

This was an act of self defense and any guilt lies with Runnels.

You can watch the interview with this brave Vietnam veteran and his wife in the video below.

READ NEXT: 81-Year-Old Marine Uses A Walking Stick To Chase Burglars From His Chicago Home