I'm glad you and your family are fine after that encounter.
Great breakout of the situation, background and observation of mistakes. Don't beat yourself up too much over any mistakes. Plans have a way of going south once the action starts....however do have a plan of action and train for it....and not just you, any and everyone living in the house has to train for it as they all should have a role.
You hit the nail on the head...no shoes and no firearm were glaring concerns; but not immediately calling 911 and going outside to confront a known troublemaker was the biggie to me. Drug addicts have a way of becoming hostile mighty quick....had he had a knife of his own or a gun, then one of you might have gotten severely injured.
Maybe you could invest in sensor activated floodlights for the areas were your pilferable equipment lies. Perhaps challenging him from within your house (thus keeping cover and concealment) with your shotgun might have been an option.
Great breakout of the situation, background and observation of mistakes. Don't beat yourself up too much over any mistakes. Plans have a way of going south once the action starts....however do have a plan of action and train for it....and not just you, any and everyone living in the house has to train for it as they all should have a role.
You hit the nail on the head...no shoes and no firearm were glaring concerns; but not immediately calling 911 and going outside to confront a known troublemaker was the biggie to me. Drug addicts have a way of becoming hostile mighty quick....had he had a knife of his own or a gun, then one of you might have gotten severely injured.
Maybe you could invest in sensor activated floodlights for the areas were your pilferable equipment lies. Perhaps challenging him from within your house (thus keeping cover and concealment) with your shotgun might have been an option.