Posted on Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 7:03 p.m.
Man who held home invasion suspects: I'm no hero
By Cindy Heflin
Dezman Makowski-Smith
Michael Kennedy told the television station he was just doing the right thing.
Kennedy was at home Saturday morning when he heard glass breaking in the neighborhood and went to investigate, police said. At his neighbor’s home in the 1400 block of Harry Street, he saw one person climbing out a window and another one standing by the patio door.
Donte Smith
Rita Marshall told the station she’s grateful to Kennedy for foiling the break-in at her home.
The suspects, Dezman Makowski-Smith, 18, and Donte Smith, 17, both of Ypsilanti, were arraigned Sunday on charges of home invasion and malicious destruction of property.
Comments
djacks24
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 1:48 p.m.
Thank you Mr. Kennedy for proving to the biased (ahem, AA.com) media that there are responsible gun owners.
cinnabar7071
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 2:30 p.m.
" I fear the many loonies who get licenses and can't handle it and start flinging lead. " Really Billy Bob? Have anything to back that statement up, loonies aren't the type to get a CPL. But don't let facts get in the way of your emotions.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 6:28 p.m.
I don't fear the responsible owners. I fear the many loonies who get licenses and can't handle it and start flinging lead. You can't stop them till they shoot at someone they think is a bad guy and kill a bunch of bystanders. Those are the ones I fear. And anyone who says they aren't there is being pretty dishonest.
cinnabar7071
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 12:12 p.m.
Thank you Michael Kennedy, we need more people like you.
Jay Thomas
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 5:34 a.m.
I consider the people who got CCW passed in this state to be heroes as well. Otherwise a legion of criminals would have gone on to commit more crimes by now.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 5:11 a.m.
So I suppose now that people want to act in the same way Mr. Kennedy acted? Won't be too long before we have some dead or convicted interveners. Mr. Kennedy was lucky or possessed of super powers - home invaders aren't usually so compliant or congenial, especially when the outnumber the good samaritan. According to the purported quote, Mr. Kennedy himself realizes he was not a hero. Maybe if the news writers would stop using that slant, more people would heed what he said and ignore the fantasy-breeding headlines. I'm just glad he was prepared to defend himself if the subjects turned hostile.
cinnabar7071
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 12:17 p.m.
Tru what would you suggest a person do? Get in the fetal postion, and just take it?
Messa
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 3:25 a.m.
Not only is he a hero, he's a responsible gun owner. Unlike some people who just go all John Wayne on people the first chance they get (George Zimmerman anybody?), he used his brains and was still able to control the situation without anyone getting shot. Tip of the hat to you, Mr. Kennedy. I wish there were more like you.
cinnabar7071
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 12:20 p.m.
Messa I think if one of these kids sucker punched Michael Kennedy, and was bounceing his head off the pavement, they would have got the same as Travon.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 2:59 a.m.
"Trust me kid, nobody wants to be that guy. [I do this] because there is nobody else to do it right now. Believe me if there was somebody else to do it, I would let them do it. There's not, so [I'm] doing it. That's what makes you that guy." Bravo Mr Kennedy, that's why you are that guy.
squidlover
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 1:37 a.m.
Mr. Kennedy may not view himself as a hero, but he certainly has my respect and my appreciation for somebody willing to stand up to punks like this, as home invasion crimes are out of control. Now what remains to be seen is, will the justice system actually do anything about this, or simply slap their wrists and have them repeat this crime?
Linda Peck
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 12:13 a.m.
Mr Kennedy sounds like the right man for the job, one with a presence of power and the knowledge of the appropriate use of that power. I would like to have him as my neighbor, especially if things should get "worked up" around here.
jim
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 11:41 p.m.
Now I see what the first article meant by "powers of persuasion."