When an angry stranger broke into Rosko Rock’s home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and attacked a tenant and her friend, the elderly landlord/homeowner armed himself with a handgun (not shown) and ordered him to leave. Apparently, 39 year-old Dale Reese didn’t think the old guy would actually shoot him. Police say he advanced aggressively toward the homeowner where he learned (a bit late) not to mess with an armed homeowner regardless of age. Just to put things in perspective, Rosko Rock is 81 years old. Clint Eastwood is 83 . . .
From WPTV-West Palm Beach:
Investigators learned that Dale Hendrix Reese, 39, was having domestic problems with his girlfriend. According to police, his girlfriend was visiting a friend on Riverside Drive. However, Reese spotted his girlfriend’s car at the residence and flattened her tire, said investigators.
Police said the owner of the house, Rosko Rock, 81, was confronted by Reese, who wanted to know the location of the girlfriend.
“My neighbor, he’s the kind of guy you don’t mess with,” said Harry Cornelius, who lives next door to Rock.
Investigators said Reese forced his way into the house and began attacking the girlfriend and her friend, who rented a room at the residence from Rock. Rock, according to officers, retrieved his handgun and told Reese to leave.
Police said that Reese aggressively approached Rock, so the 81-year-old man shot Reese.
Officers said they do not expect Reese to survive his wounds.“I’m sure he did not want to shoot him. He’s not that kind of guy. As far as I’m concerned, he’s a very good neighbor,” said Cornelius.
Seconded. A prudent neighbor with a gun is generally a good neighbor, unless they live upwind from you and like to cook sauerkraut outdoors.
Just like Leroy Brown and ‘Jim,’ you don’t mess around with Rosko Rock. The shooting is under investigation, but Rock isn’t expected to face any charges. Florida respects the sanctity of the home, and no jury will ever convict an elderly homeowner who defends his guests from a crazed home invader. A lesson Dale Reese obviously never learned.