Marines don't quit

New American, The, June 26, 2006 by Kurt Williamsen

Austin Kilcoyne is a 78-year-old ex-Marine, a gun collector, and a disabled former firefighter. Because his house had been robbed of money and guns last December, he kept a pistol hidden in his house. At about 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 23, Kilcoyne heard a noise and investigated. He found a vicious 14-year-old boy, who attacked him with a pair of pruning shears, using them to beat him on the head.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the boy then dragged Kilcoyne "around the house yelling, 'Tell me where the money is.'" When the teen released him to plunder the house, Kilcoyne managed to get his pistol and shoot the young bandit three times. The youth, hit in the arm, buttocks, and thigh, yanked the gun from Kilcoyne, only to learn that it was empty. Kilcoyne had loaded the gun with only three bullets--just in case anyone ever managed to overpower him and use it against him.

The wounded teen fled from the house but was caught when workers heard him moaning in an alley. The teen was charged with attempted murder, home invasion, and aggravated battery. Kilcoyne needed stitches to his head and face, but he is recovering with relatives.