Sheriff Hails Woman Who Shot Prison Escapee That Kicked in Her Door (Videos)

Law enforcement officials in one South Carolina county say a woman who defended herself against an escaped inmate that invaded her home did everything right.

Officials say two inmates escaped from the Pickens County jail and, while one was swiftly captured less than a half-mile from the prison, the second man broke into a woman’s home around 3 a.m. on Tuesday by kicking in her locked door. Once inside the house, the man, reportedly still clad an orange prison jumpsuit, grabbed a knife sharpening tool from the kitchen and made his way to the woman’s bedroom, where she met him with a handgun.

The Pickens County coroner’s office later identified the escapee as Bruce Webb McLaughlin Jr., 30, killed from a gunshot wound to the head. McLaughlin’s lengthy criminal record includes convictions on burglary charges, a weapon charge, assault on a police officer, and drug charges.

“The victim was in fear for her life and used lethal force to protect herself,” said Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark. “This is the shining example of what this lady did– took the time to get her CWP and set herself up to be able to protect herself and not be harmed, killed or raped or whatever. She came out on the good on this end and the other guy– the bad guy— didn’t.”

The unidentified woman did not suffer any injuries. “She stopped the crime,” said Clark. “She solved the crime for us and she came out a winner.”

The county is in the process of building a new jail to replace the current one, which was built in 1967.

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