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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums72 year old MAGA unloads gun at door to door solar salesmen
https://lawandcrime.com/crime/jumping-to-violence-homeowner-opens-fire-on-men-selling-solar-panels-door-to-door-cops-say/It happened around 5 p.m. Monday at a home in the 13000 block of Boabadilla Lane in Port Charlotte. According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, deputies from the Charlotte County responded to a report of a shooting. The caller said two frantic men came knocking on her door saying her neighbor had shot at them.
She directed them to her backyard and they hid behind her shed as she called 911. The woman later told deputies she heard six to eight shots followed by four or five more. A few seconds later the men, who appeared to be in “great fear” started pounding on her door asking for help.
Detectives interviewed the men ages 20 and 25 who told them they were selling solar panels in the neighborhood. They knocked on one door and an older woman answered and “did not appear to be happy and told them to leave,” the affidavit said. The men walked away and were some 50 to 100 feet from the home when they heard around five or six shots, detectives wrote. They saw a man yelling and pointing a gun in their direction, per cops. No one was struck by the gunfire.
Cops went to the home in question where they arrested 72-year-old William Mark Williams. He stands accused of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm in public. Both victims identified Williams as the suspect. Cops took him to the Charlotte County Jail where he has since bonded out. He has a court date scheduled for June 30. The court appointed him an attorney because he was labeled indigent, per records.
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A picture of Williams’ home on Google Maps taken May 2024 shows a yard sign reading “F— Joe Biden” and an upside down American flag — which has become known as a symbol of right-wing protest — posted near the entry.

Silent Type
(10,472 posts)DiverDave
(5,133 posts)Sales person in Decades.
Yeah, the crazy out there is just too much.
Of course, he will get off.
Stand your ground i think.
And a gofundme that will net several hundred thousand.
Crazy times...
krkaufman
(13,957 posts)… for “Stand Your Ground” if the salesmen were already a good distance off, walking away from the house.
DiverDave
(5,133 posts)But the way some D.A's see it a different way.
Just gotta say, It's tough going door to door.
dchill
(42,660 posts)...if you scare a MAGAT enough to go for its gun, it has the right to "stand its ground" indefinitely. That way, its rights are fairly guaranteed. Tell me how I'm wrong.
Hekate
(98,530 posts)… you name it. Oh yeah, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses, desiring to save my soul. I’m on California’s Central Coast. I dismiss them all with varying degrees of politeness, but have never contemplated shooting them.
What a world.
yardwork
(67,154 posts)They're annoying but I've never feared for my life from them. But then I don't watch Fox News 24/7.
Attilatheblond
(6,643 posts)Once in a while, a group of 3 or 4 big young men (always white) will pound on the door, pretend they have a reason, but try hard to look over/around me to see what's in the living room. When that happens, I sometimes consider a rifle rack for the foyer.
yardwork
(67,154 posts)That definitely sounds as if people might be wanting to see what you have to steal.
I would report that to the police.
Attilatheblond
(6,643 posts)But I have a couple of rescue dogs who are SERIOUSLY happy to have a home. They are good with people who don't raise my suspicion, but they are also SERIOUS watchdogs who are very protective. One has a mouth that looks a bit like an alligator, and he is one powerful scamp.
Edited to add: I also do not have overwhelming confidence in the local LEOs. I live in 'I can see Mexico, AZ' and most LEOs are storm trooper wannabees who keep busy shadowing brown people whose families have lived here for generations.
yardwork
(67,154 posts)Stay safe, friend. I enjoy your posts here very much!
Attilatheblond
(6,643 posts)
AllaN01Bear
(26,383 posts)I have a "No soliciting; No proselytizing" sign on my front door. Most people heed it.
ProfessorGAC
(73,559 posts)...a funny bit I used to do. (At least until my wife said I should quit it.)
Used to have missionaries come by the house.
I'd answer the door & say "Hey, you're right on time. God said you'd stop by at this time. He wanted me to tell you that you've git it all wrong & that he doesn't approve of your approach to worship & to others."
They never knew what to say.
Am I being a jerk? Am I nuts? Do I really believe what I'm saying? Confused the heck out of them.
I my wife thought it was mean, so she wanted me to stop.
Wasn't a problem stopping, because we stopped getting those visits.
I'm going with "that guy is nuts".
yardwork
(67,154 posts)This was a lie but it terrified the fundies in central Ohio. They never came back.
Attilatheblond
(6,643 posts)After a couple times, they stayed way clear of our little house.
gab13by13
(28,827 posts)selling internet service.
AllaN01Bear
(26,383 posts)so many of them
flying_wahini
(8,107 posts)Here in DFW.
Conjuay
(2,574 posts)A company gets a job in the area and they cruise around trying to parley that into a couple more jobs.
It's not uncommon.
But most of us either play 'no ones home', or just say, "no thanks".
Most of us don't want to have to go out and pressure wash the walkway because we had to prove a point.
The ones that really bothered me were the ones who showed up -unmasked- during COVID, expecting us to open the door and talk to them.
But ,I can believe that solar companies are sending out people to canvas neighborhoods. It's a newer industry and trying to get a foothold.
Shermann
(8,947 posts)I've noticed that many of these salesmen will ask for my name right away. At best they are going to drop my name on the next stop and claim they are here talking to me. At worst they are going to claim they are doing work for me they aren't actually doing. So, my response now is "I don't answer questions".
JHB
(37,782 posts)It fell out of use when other marketing methods were more efficient at driving new business, but now those methods are largely oversaturated and people have become accustomed to ignoring them (or gained the ability to block them). So an old-school method with a personal touch has room for a comeback.
jmowreader
(52,527 posts)The ones I get are these rip-off home improvement contractors.
About two weeks ago this kid who probably wasn’t old enough to legally buy beer shows up on my doorstep and tells me my roof is failing. I inspect my roof every week and it’s fine. This child tells me there’s granules missing and fiberglass is showing, so I ask him for his city solicitation permit. “What’s a solicitation permit?” “It’s what you’re going to jail for not having if you don’t leave this neighborhood in the next thirty seconds.” You know the dust clouds the Road Runner throws up in those cartoons? It was like that.
Norrrm
(2,362 posts)Tell them: no card equals scam.
Shermann
(8,947 posts)If not them, it's the pest control or lawn care people. There's a sign at the neighborhood entrance that says "no soliciting". It's not legally enforceable but clearly states the wishes of the residents. So, if some company blatantly puts their interests in front of mine, why would I want to do business with them?
Skittles
(165,955 posts)yes INDEED
Woodycall
(531 posts)Buy a gun. Learn how to safely use and store it. Destroy it when this madness ends. I hate them (just like my WWII vet father). But I own one, because these crazy motherfuckers do!.
scipan
(2,894 posts)I'm not against owning a gun and what you posted kinda makes sense generally, but I've read that owning one is more likely to be used against you or by you in a suicide. I'm torn.
BurnDoubt
(802 posts)the domestic violence in our Home. So.......
Hekate
(98,530 posts)Sadly, your story is one borne out by statistics.
BurnDoubt
(802 posts)Woodycall
(531 posts)It's just a general recommendation to people who are adamantly against even the thought of it. Maybe I'm just worked up right now but, I'm a real estate appraiser and a few years ago I when we were inspecting a lot of foreclosures or "distressed" properties that were way out in the "boondocks" (where no one would find you for days) that showed signs of personal trauma and had all kinds of valuable personal property laying around (that someone might come back for), I finally broke down and bought a Glock 19. When we stopped getting those kind of orders, I felt kind of foolish.
Then, about 4 months ago, I got new neighbors on the other side of my rented townhouse, Much screaming and yelling and 4 goddamn dogs barking constantly (can hear right through the cheap walls) and then, one night about 10 days ago, during one of those sessions, one of the occupants rang my doorbell at about 1:45 AM and tried to get into my side. I grabbed the gun and went into the living room and the woman yelled "he's got a fucking gun!" as she was right outside my window and could see me. They went back. I called 911 and the cops came and they gave them some bullshit story (like - we were just having a heated discussion in our Bible studies and needed to ask the guy next door about his opinion) and them being cops and not giving a fuck one way or the other left it at that.
But being scared shit-less by being in a situation where your heart is literally in your fucking throat while you're thinking that any second now you're either going to have to kill or be killed is not even the main thing.
The main thing is that when I got all of their full names and checked the court records, I found out that the husband is a registered and 5 times convicted (multiple victims) child sex offender (FFS!) for which he spent about 9 years in prison, but that's just one of his many criminal talents. He's got a fucking rap-sheet as long as your arm. And guess what? So does his wife and brother-in-law, who also lives there!
So, the point is, buy a gun, and learn how to use and store it safely...
Hekate
(98,530 posts)Stay safe
Kaleva
(39,641 posts)What training program you attended taught you to do that?
The immediate threat was at my front door where they were "jiggling" my locks. Then, because I knew the locks were solid, I retreated to my kitchen to cover the more vulnerable glass patio door and call the police. This all took place in a matter fucking seconds. Even the cop I talked to said that was a smart move.
Don't fucking question my handling of the situation unless you've been in a similar one. I don't need any fucking "arm chair" advise/lecture at this point!
Kaleva
(39,641 posts)And what training program did you attended taught that taught you to do what you did?
And if you think you need a gun, why do you have a glass patio door which would make a home invasion easy?
Walking around with a gun in hand and being able to be seen through a window by someone outside has resulted in people being shot.
Response to Kaleva (Reply #34)
Post removed
Woodycall
(531 posts)because it comes with the rented property. How fucking stupid are you?
Kaleva
(39,641 posts)Orrex
(65,512 posts)MineralMan
(149,446 posts)Why? This is a simple discussion, with different people taking different approaches. I can't see any reason to get angry at anyone in this thread.
MorbidButterflyTat
(3,307 posts)Kaleva
(39,641 posts)An average male in good condition can kick open a door with relative ease even if quality locks are installed. I replaced the short screws in the hinges and strike plate with 3” screws that are long enough to dig into the rough in frame. That won’t stop a determined felon but it may slow them down long enough for my wife and I to retreat to our safe room.
I strongly suggest you have a safe room which you can retreat to and from there also have the means to see and communicate with those who are at your doors. Such as Ring.
My safe room is the master bedroom. The door is solid wood with a deadbolt and is reinforced with 3” screws. We have Ring doorbells with cameras at all 3 entrances so we can see and talk to anyone outside using our cell phones.
I’m just hitting the surface so I recommend you attend a quality training program put out by a reputable organization that will cover the subject of home defense in far greater detail. Then practice what you were taught on a regular basis. Develop and practice a home invasion drill.
ret5hd
(21,602 posts)are the exposed walls sheathed in kevlar?
how rich are you to afford all that?
how much of a safe room do you think others have…in a sheetrock house? the bathroom? most bathrooms don’t even have a cast iron tub anymore. at best fiberglass.
Kaleva
(39,641 posts)Do you live in a neighborhood where Kevlar in the walls of your designated safe room would be a wise investment? I bet you don’t and if I’m right, the cost of bank vault doors and Kevlar reinforced walls is irrelevant.
ret5hd
(21,602 posts)can kick thru a 1/2 “ layer of sheetrock with a slight toe-kick?
Kaleva
(39,641 posts)There’s two layers of sheet rock screwed to studs that’s are 16” on center from each other. Inside the wall you may have wiring and maybe even plumbing to get past.
I’m sitting in my safe room right now and there’s no way to kick through a wall to get in here. There’s an enclosed chimney in one wall, a double sink vanity on the master bathroom wall and a 36” vanity on the guest bathroom wall. On another wall is a toilet, shower and in between those two items is wiring and a 2” vent pipe. All the other walls are outside walls.
When choosing a safe room, you choose the most defensible room.
ret5hd
(21,602 posts)gutted/remodeled many rooms. my very educated estimate is it would take me about 30 seconds to 1 minute to gain access to any sheetrocked room with 16” studs.
kick a hole, reach in and pull about 10 times to make a good sized hole into the wall cavity. start kicking thru to the “safe” room.
Kaleva
(39,641 posts)Hell, you’ll probably be shot before you get all the way through the wall.
You can probably now see the value of a safe room. The homeowner will be much safer there then confronting home invaders in the open while the home invader will be at a serious disadvantage.
MorbidButterflyTat
(3,307 posts)Are you trapped?
Kaleva
(39,641 posts)I have emergency escape ladders in all the bedrooms which are located in the 2nd floor. The master bedroom is the safe room.
MorbidButterflyTat
(3,307 posts)before killing?
Kaleva
(39,641 posts)Learning how to use a gun to kill people with it is far different then learning how to use a gun for target shooting or hunting.
harumph
(2,839 posts)with the understanding that they might kill someone in self defense. I think only assassins would buy a gun with the intention of killing someone. Maybe my sense of the word "intend" is a bit different though.
Kaleva
(39,641 posts)You kill them before they either kill or seriously injure you
That’s the only purpose that a gun for self defense has
harumph
(2,839 posts)(even) in defense. However, I don't think solely preparing or training to use a gun can be reasonably construed as "intent" to kill, unless one takes additional measures toward the goal of killing someone. IOW, there is a degree of uncertainty as to outcome. I don't think I'm splitting hairs - I generally appreciate and mostly concur with your posts.
Kaleva
(39,641 posts)This topic has been interesting and I thank you for your input!
Target shooting and self defense shooting are very similar...Both train your brain at firearm safety, trigger, breath control and sight alignment.
Self defense training just ups the game with more and faster fluid hand responses as well as follow through.
The more you train, the more confident with the gun you will be.
Kaleva
(39,641 posts)Last edited Mon May 26, 2025, 01:13 PM - Edit history (1)
Such learning how to safely handle the gun but it becomes different when the trading beyond the fundamentals becomes more advanced.
For self defense shooting , I don’t use the sights. I practice point shooting as taught by Col. Rex Applegate (point shooting isn’t hip shooting). For hunting, I would use the sights.
During dry fire drills, I practice techniques that will break my tunnel vision which I’ll likely get in such a very stressful situation. I don’t need to do that for hunting or target
I also try to train myself on being aware of how far away the baddy is. If too close, then I won’t attempt to draw the gun lest he makes a play for it and gains control of the gun.
I also have to be acutely aware of the situation. Does it warrant drawing the gun from my vertical shoulder holster and firing it?
Edit: Also, unlike target shooting and hunting, when it comes to self defense, retreat, if it can be done safely, is almost always the best option.
I also practice reloading my revolver without looking at the gun, so I can focus on the threat, when either stationary or on the move. Something I would never do at the shooting range or when hunting.
lostnfound
(17,082 posts)MorbidButterflyTat
(3,307 posts)
Hotler
(13,335 posts)MorbidButterflyTat
(3,307 posts)
BurnDoubt
(802 posts)"good shoots" (protect body or property) to everyday, run-of-the-mill killing by accident or design? And the 2nd Amendment has a few serious flaws... notably in protecting us from Tyrants and miscreants, in that they're using it to intimidate Law Abiding citizens. Second Amendment is regarded as Sacred... all the rest are just really inconvenient if you're Racist pricks.
LisaM
(29,283 posts)It's been a long time, but I used to canvas door to door for political campaigns and sometimes there was a house like that that it was probably not a good idea to walk up to.
That said, glad the guy was charged.
Iggo
(48,989 posts)I mean, why have all these guns if I don’t get to kill anybody, right?
markodochartaigh
(3,334 posts)this gunslinger. Maybe he thought that those guys were socialists coming to give him vision and dental care to go along with his totally not government Medicare.
/s
MagickMuffin
(17,805 posts)I got kicked out because I refused to use my real identity. But before I got banned, I noticed how many of my neighbors were discussing how they would answer the door with a gun in hand.
Paranoid gunhumpers. Yes siree, willing to shoot a stranger for whatever reason.
Demovictory9
(36,708 posts)Celerity
(50,833 posts)well on a board littered with crazed gunhumper MAGAts.
Xavier Breath
(5,831 posts)Some years back, when my ex found a dog roaming about one Thanksgiving morning, we posted about it and the owner saw it and came by to collect their pet by day's end.
Having said that, it does attract some MAGA element, and it was a struggle to remain vigilant about hiding the crazies and their posts. And, even the seemingly innocuous posts would have some element of the fear of the "other." People were always worried about kids from "the city" coming into our suburban oasis to wreak havoc.
After the initial post I never posted again, and I eventually stopped liking posts or doing anything public. When my ex and I split and I moved, I did not update my address.
Kaleva
(39,641 posts)meadowlander
(4,935 posts)That's what I do in my terrifying high crime neighbourhood and I've never had any problems.
Answering the door in a potentially threatening situation with a gun is just making an excuse to shoot people.
Kaleva
(39,641 posts)moonscape
(5,568 posts)on Next Door for years under an assumed name. The tricky part was getting on in the first place. Wouldn’t give real name, phone number or exact address for verification so just abandoned caring. Then, I get an email saying one of my neighbors verified me. It was hilarious.
I live in a very liberal area of California that goes for dems 70% + but still Next Door is surprisingly conservative for here.
raccoon
(31,943 posts)harumph
(2,839 posts)
onenote
(45,438 posts)I'm in no way defending him and I hope he is locked up.
But did I miss some post where it was disclosed that he had committed murder?
RandiFan1290
(6,541 posts)because his mugshot has not been posted here.
Celerity
(50,833 posts)
Marthe48
(21,214 posts)I get salesmen several times a year. Believe it or not, I've survived every encounter.
gab13by13
(28,827 posts)He gave his sales pitch and I politely declined and then he said can I just say one more thing, I thought, here we go, he said, have a blessed day. Should I have fired warning shots at him?
Marthe48
(21,214 posts)I figure it lets them practice on a safe, friendly person. I don't engage with the person at the door. If I need what they're selling, and they give me a card, I'll research the company and get in touch if I need to.
Chipper Chat
(10,495 posts)Teenagers wanting to mow my lawn.
Mormon Missionarys.
AT&T internet salesperson.
Republican party canvassers.
Girl Scout cookie kids.
Halloweeners.
Kids asking to pick leaves from my Gingko Tree for their tree scrapbooks.
Never thought about shooting any of them.
The Madcap
(1,299 posts)To both body and soul. Best avoid them.
Chipper Chat
(10,495 posts)PJMcK
(23,906 posts)I always wondered why the mail carriers have a big sign on their vehicles identifying them as official USPS workers. The FedEx and UPS drivers always honk their horns several times before going up a driveway.
Now I know why.
Guns in America? Stupid and crazy.
Before anyone replies that they are responsible gun owners, I believe you and respect you. But what about the crazies we read about EVERY DAY like this idiot? Kindly provide a solution to this shit. Thanks, in advance.
Kaleva
(39,641 posts)Interact with others under the assumption that they are armed and untrained.
If one has a gun, get quality training and routinely practice what you were taught. And understand that self defense isn’t just limited to having a gun. Develop situational awareness, reinforce your exterior doors and such. Use of the gun is the last resort when all other layers of defense have failed.
ratchiweenie
(8,116 posts)has become in this country. It's not like he is so old he doesn't know what he's doing. Because 72 is not really that old. He's the perfect representative of the MAGA crowd.
LudwigPastorius
(12,920 posts)They didn't want to catch cancer from those solar panels!
marble falls
(66,993 posts)... so much for standing his ground. They have been adjudicating these cases of gun nuts shooting through doors.
In the next year I will have to start showing up in person to get my drivers license and if I have to redo testing, I am OK with that. But I bet if I had a firearm permit, they'll let me wave it around until I pull it on someone or start shooting through the door or on the front porch.
I hope he gets a taste of a jail cell in population for a couple of days. As well as disarmed and out a big fine.