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Earlier this week, Blaze News reported on a 79-year-old landlord in Los Angeles who fatally shot a naked intruder after being body-slammed to the ground, resulting in broken legs.
George Karkoc, the Vietnam veteran involved, shared his experience with KTLA-TV from his hospital bed, emphasizing his instinct to protect both himself and his tenant, who he heard screaming during the incident.
‘I just thought, “I need to get aggressive,” so I ran into the house and got my gun.’
The event occurred at approximately 7:15 a.m. on November 7 in the 4500 block of Tujunga Avenue in Studio City, as reported by KABC-TV.
Surveillance footage showed the intruder walking naked in the neighborhood before entering an apartment, escalating the situation.
Karkoc recounted hearing his female tenant scream, prompting his urgent response: “I just thought, ‘I need to get aggressive,’ so I ran into the house and got my gun.”
Upon confronting the intruder, Karkoc attempted to reason with him, but the suspect charged at him, body-slamming Karkoc and breaking both of his legs.
In dire circumstances, Karkoc defended himself and shot the intruder three times. He was subsequently hospitalized in serious condition but has since stabilized after surgery. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
“This incident, although horrible, brought me a great feeling that I was able to do something to protect other people,” Karkoc shared with KTLA.
On Veterans Day, a group of police officers from Los Angeles visited Karkoc in the hospital to express their gratitude for his service.
Chloe Dzielak, Karkoc’s tenant, emotionally recounted her experience to KTLA, expressing her gratitude for her landlord’s bravery: “He was protecting me. He saved my life. I don’t know what would have happened if he wasn’t there.”
Dzielak noted that while she was terrified and screaming, Karkoc remained calm, even while addressing the intruder.
When asked if his military training aided him during the crisis, Karkoc affirmed, “I certainly know my training helped me.”
Family members have set up a GoFundMe to assist Karkoc as he faces a lengthy recovery process, with his son revealing that Karkoc’s legs, ankles, and hips are filled with pins. Additionally, Karkoc’s wife suffers from late-stage Parkinson’s disease, and they may require an in-home caretaker during his recovery.
“He just keeps his head and takes care of other people around him,” Karkoc’s son told KTLA. “He’s a hero.”
