Armed Beauty Queen Fatally Shoots Intruder in Florida Home Invasion

'Armed Beauty Queen Fatally Shoots Intruder in Florida Home Invasion
By Cristina Corbin

Published March 22, 2011 FoxNews.com

When a burly ex-convict forced his way into a posh Florida home last week, he had no idea what awaited him -- a 25-year-old beauty queen with a pink .38-caliber handgun.

Meghan Brown, a former Florida pageant queen, shot and killed 42-year-old Albert Franklin Hill during a home invasion March 12 at the 2,732-square-foot house she shares with her fiance in Tierra Verde, Fla.



Hill barged into the home at around 3 a.m. after Brown responded to a knock at the front door, according to a police report. He allegedly grabbed the 110-pound Brown around her nose and mouth and dragged her to an upstairs bedroom.

The woman’s fiance, Robert Planthaber, said in an interview that he was quickly awakened by the altercation and ran to Brown’s side.

"I attacked him and took a severe beating to the head," Planthaber told FoxNews.com. "But I got him off of her long enough for her to scramble to the room where she keeps her pink .38 special.”

Brown, who reigned as the 2009 Miss Tierra Verde, snatched her gun from a nearby bedroom and shot the suspect several times – hitting him in the chest, groin, thigh and back, her fiance said. Hill was pronounced dead at the scene.

Panthaber, a 42-year-old arborist, said he believes he and his fiancee were targeted because of their wealth. He claimed a pizza delivery man and possible accomplice staked out the home for three months before Hill attempted to burglarize it.

“We live in a very prominent area and my fiancee wears a $60,000 engagement ring,” he said. “The pizza man knew we had money because sometimes we needed change for a $100 bill when he came to deliver pizza.”

Hill had a criminal record stretching back nearly three decades -- including arrests for burglary, battery, drug possession and grand theft. He reportedly served a 13-year prison term in 1987 and was released in September after serving a fourth term behind bars.

Detectives with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Robbery/Homicide Unit are still investigating the crime but believe the motive was robbery, according to local press reports. They say they haven’t yet determined the relationship, if any, Hill had with the couple. A police report said the ex-convict demanded money before the altercation between Hill and Panthaber ensued.

Panthaber, meanwhile, said he and his fiancee are lucky to be alive. He said he purchased the pink handgun for Brown last Christmas and that the two had gone to target practice together.

“She was not a good shot at the range,” he quipped.'

Two quotes just jump out at you in this article. "Hill had a criminal record stretching back nearly three decades" & "after serving a fourth term behind bars."
What the HELL was this loser doing free?

Thank God the fiance was home and able to distract this creep, and thank the Second Amendment that we have something more potent than 'harsh language' to defend ourselves.


ADD ON EDIT: Couple recount fatal fray at their Tierra Verde home also tells the story

Also #8 came to mind as I read this story

Dan Emplit WBFD

Hunlock Creek Shooting

State police investigating shooting on Old Tavern RoadEdward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com

HUNLOCK TWP. - A specialized state police hazmat group searched a trailer on Old Tavern Road after a man was killed in a reported invasion at the residence late Tuesday morning.

Several law enforcement sources identified the man as Robert Jacob Muntz, 44, last known address as Sweet Valley Road. He was killed when gunfire erupted inside the trailer at about 11:40 a.m.

State police closed a large stretch of Old Tavern Road after finding suspected evidence that the trailer was being used to manufacture methamphetamine. Troopers with the state police clandestine team were called in from Harrisburg to search the trailer.

Muntz was scheduled for trial in Luzerne County Court on charges he operated a meth lab at a residence on West Green Street in Nanticoke when he was linked to a $3.6 million cocaine trafficking ring involving members of the Outlaw Motorcycle Club in March 2009, according to arrest and court records.

Muntz’s name has not been officially released by the Luzerne County Coroner’s Office.

POSTED 12:45 p.m.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Tom Kelly said that one person is dead and a woman was injured after a shooting at 59 Old Tavern Road in Hunlock Township late Tuesday morning.

Kelly said that two males and one female, all wearing masks, forced their way into a trailer. Gunfire erupted, and a female homeowner was struck in the arm. The homeowner returned fire, killing a male intruder. Two suspects fled the scene in an unknown vehicle.

And

Police ID gunned-down home intruder
State police have identified a masked intruder who was fatally shot in a Hunlock Creek home invasion Tuesday.

Robert Muntz, 44, of Sweet Valley, was killed at 59 Old Tavern Road, said Trooper Tom Kelly, spokesman for state police at Wyoming. In March 2009, Muntz was one of 22 charged in connection with a drug ring allegedly operated by the Outlaws Motorcycle Club.

A female occupant of the home was shot Tuesday, but was expected to survive, police said.

Witnesses told investigators three masked people - two males and a female - entered the home around 11:39 a.m. prompting an exchange of gunfire.

"Right now, we're treating it as a home invasion with shots fired," said Kelly.

The female victim shot the intruder, police said. She was taken to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The two other alleged intruders fled in a car and remain at large.

"At this point, we have two people who fled the scene. They were allegedly wearing masks and left in a vehicle. We have troopers canvassing the area looking for evidence and any people. So yeah, we'd ask neighbors to remain in their homes, stay secure and be leery of any strangers right now, " Kelly said.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Shickshinny at 570-542-7105.

In March 2009, authorities seized more than 40 pieces of evidence — including gallons of hydrochloric acid and drain cleaner, glass jars and funnels — and
10 guns from Muntz's Nanticoke home, according to The Citizens' Voice archives.

Muntz was charged with delivery of methamphetamine, manufacturing methamphetamine and criminal use of a communication facility in connection with the probe into the Ashley-based Outlaws Motorcycle Club, the local affiliate of a dangerous nationwide biker gang.

A comment from 'edcl46' caught my attention,
"If there was stronger gun laws, there wouldn't be a need to have them in your home. Yeah those guns are awesome baby, one is dead but wooooooooo hooooooooooo us Clampets have guns to fire back. Party time , we can all meet up, get us a pig, have a pig roast and cap some arses. Wooooooo Hoooooooo. And before you "SHOOT" off your political BRAINWASHING, I hate all politicians, along with simply stupid people!!!!!"

My answer is simple. What about a 6'2 240 lb rapist/serial killer, with a knife, who breaks into your sister/wife/daughter/niece/girlfriends house? What is she going to use to defend her life? Harsh language?
There is not much you can say to someone so obviously divorced from reality and any rational thought.
Remember gun control means 3 things
Grip
sight alignment
a firm steady squeeze


Dan Emplit WBFD