by admin92-Year-Old WWII Veteran Shoots Intruder Dead — Says “I Didn’t Go to War for Nothing”
In the quiet town of Verona, Kentucky, a 92-year-old World War II veteran made national headlines after defending his home from a late-night break-in — with deadly precision.
The homeowner, Earl Jones, had endured three previous burglaries that same year. But on this night in September 2012, when he heard footsteps in his basement, he decided enough was enough.
Armed with his .22-caliber rifle, Jones waited in the dark until one of the intruders — later identified as Lloyd Maxwell, 24 — stepped through his door. Jones didn’t hesitate.
“I aimed right for his heart,” Jones told investigators. “I didn’t go to war for nothing.”
Maxwell was struck and killed instantly. Two other suspects fled the scene, dumping Maxwell’s body on a nearby road before they were later arrested and charged with burglary and evidence tampering.
Police ruled the shooting an act of self-defense, and Jones faced no charges.
Neighbors and veterans across America hailed him as a hero — a man who stood his ground even in his 90s. But the case also reignited debate about gun rights and home defense, dividing opinions nationwide.
Some said Jones was a symbol of American courage — a man protecting what was his. Others questioned whether the nation’s obsession with firearms had gone too far.
Still, Earl Jones remained unshaken. When asked if he regretted pulling the trigger, he looked directly into the camera and said,
“I served my country once. I just did it again.”