Las Vegas Mom Fires at Home Intruders After Nearby Crash

A Las Vegas mother says she did what she believed she had to do after two strangers ended up in her backyard and appeared to be trying to break into her home.

According to News 3 Las Vegas, the incident happened around 9:20 p.m. last Monday in the 3900 block of Steinbeck Drive after two men fled a nearby vehicle crash and ran into a residential neighborhood.

The first sign of trouble came from the homeowner’s 17-year-old daughter, Kaliyah Smith, who heard noises coming from the backyard.

“I heard knocking on my wall because there’s a sliding door right there,” Smith told News 3.

She said it sounded like two men were trying to force their way inside.

“It sounded like two guys were trying to break in, so I ran upstairs to my mom’s room to alert her that somebody could possibly be breaking in the house.”

The homeowner looked out from a second-story window and saw two men in the backyard. According to her daughter, one was standing in the yard while the other appeared to be near a downstairs window.

The homeowner yelled at the men to leave. When they didn’t, she fired her gun.

According to police, the shots sent the suspects running.

When officers arrived, they initially believed they were responding to a shooting. The investigation quickly revealed the two suspects had fled a nearby crash before attempting to force their way into the home.

No one was injured, and police have not announced any arrests.

The incident also sparked discussion about Nevada’s Castle Doctrine, which generally allows homeowners to use deadly force when they reasonably believe they or someone else inside the home faces an imminent threat.

Retired FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge and attorney Ray Johnson told News 3 that the law isn’t automatic.

“If someone’s on your property, you can’t just shoot them,” Johnson said.

Instead, he explained, investigators will examine whether the homeowner reasonably believed deadly force was necessary to prevent death or serious bodily harm.

Whether someone had actually crossed the threshold into the home is only one piece of that analysis, Johnson noted, saying the specific facts of each case matter.

For the family, the legal questions come second.

The homeowner said she fired because she didn’t know what would happen if the men got inside.

Her daughter admitted she’s still shaken.

Not really,” Smith said when asked if she feels safe. “It was kind of hard going to sleep… I was still in shock and scared if they were going to come back.”

Police continue investigating the incident.

Self-defense doesn’t end when the threat goes down. That’s when the real battle begins. Lawyers. Prosecutors. Headlines. USCCA Members never fight that battle alone. Find out how.

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