Marion Park burglar lucky to be alive

Last updated: June 10, 2022

Around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday night, a Marion Park homeowner heard someone in their driveway. When they called out to the person, a young white male, thin and about 6 feet tall, popped up and fired a shot in the general direction of the homeowner.

The homeowner, Joe Stevens, jumped up and returned fire, expending two rounds towards the young man who shot back 3 more rounds. Joe’s son heard the commotion and looked out to see a white sedan, maybe a Malibu, near the driveway and says he saw a muzzle flash from the vehicle. The vehicle sped away up Columbia to Cain Ridge where it headed east.

The young man in the driveway ran across the street and up Warren as he fired back at the homeowner. It was a harrowing few seconds. “It probably only lasted a few seconds but it seemed like a lot longer time,” said Stevens.

Joe Stevens joined the Marines in 1982. He is familiar with weapons and always has one at his side. Stevens remarked that when the young man shot in his general direction his instincts kicked in but his body was a little older than it was in 1982. Today he is feeling the effects of responding as his knees, back, and legs aren’t used to that kind of action.

Today, neighbors Bridget and Chasey Calvert joined Joe in his driveway to discuss the prior evening’s events. “I thought it was fireworks but got under the covers and texted mom in the other room,” explained Chasey about the gunfire two doors down. “We all carry guns and know how to use them,” said Chasey’s mom, Bridget. “He’s lucky he didn’t get caught or run-up in my house. If he did, this would be a different story.”

The armed burglar ran from the home on Columbia up to Warren Street where he was caught on numerous security cameras along the street. Area resident Sedrick Hall, Sr. said, “He ran right through our front yard and my neighbor caught a really good video of him. I grabbed my service weapon and checked the backyards up and down the street.” Hall operates a security company that stays busy in Vicksburg. “We look out for each other in our neighborhood.”

“My neighbor across the street was on the porch and saw him running. That kid is lucky he didn’t run through her yard,” said Hall, indicating that the neighbor is well protected.

Someone knows who this young man in the video is. They recognize him or the clothes he is wearing. As far as anyone in the neighborhood knows he didn’t get anything from the cars and houses in the area. But he did run away with his life.

“He was probably checking to see if the cars in the street were unlocked. He saw the stuff sitting in my driveway and made the mistake of coming up here. I know I startled him,” said Stevens.

Police found a shell casing in Steven’s driveway and a couple more on Warren Street where the young man ran, firing wildly at Stevens. Today, in the full sunlight, no more shell casings were found and Stevens’s home and property in his driveway appeared to have been spared any hits by the young burglar.

“He’s lucky to be alive,” said Bridget Calvert. “If he ran in our yard we wouldn’t hesitate to stop him. We’re going to protect our children.”

 

See a typo? Report it here.