Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in March 2017. Gather round, folks, because we’ve got a tale that’s equal parts tragic, controversial, and thought-provoking, guaranteed to stir up a whirlwind of emotions.
The grandfather of one of the three teen suspects tragically killed during a break-in has finally spoken out. And no, he didn’t just have a thing or two to say; he had a veritable monologue you don’t want to miss. Let’s dive in.
Leroy Schumacher, the indomitable grandfather of 17-year-old Jacob Redfearn, believes the deaths of Jacob and his friends were unnecessary. Oh boy, here we go. Pull up a chair, because Leroy isn’t pulling any punches in his assessment of this heart-wrenching situation.
First off, Leroy admits the obvious: “What these three boys did was stupid. They knew they could be punished for it but they did not deserve to die.” Okay, cue the moral quandaries. On a fateful Monday, Redfearn, 19-year-old Maxwell Cook, and 16-year-old Jake Woodruff decided to break into a Wagoner County home. Spoiler alert: it was a bad decision.
Schumacher, articulately distraught, commented that his grandson, who had never been in trouble before, didn’t stand a chance. Picture this: brass knuckles versus an AR-15. “Brass knuckles against an AR-15, come on, who was afraid for their life,” he asked, painting a grim picture of a lopsided showdown.
Meanwhile, as if the saga couldn’t get more intricate, Wagoner County deputies arrested Elizabeth Rodriguez, the 21-year-old alleged getaway driver. Leroy didn’t mince words, pegging Elizabeth as the ringleader, and investigators backed him up, revealing that she’d admitted to planning the whole escapade.
Let’s shift our gaze back to the pivotal moment: the shooting. The homeowner’s son, who carried out the shooting, faced no charges as deputies determined he acted in self-defense. “There’s got to be a limit to that law, I mean he shot all three of them; there was no need for that,” Schumacher exclaimed, clearly grappling with the cruelty of the moment.
Yes, folks, Leroy supports the right to bear arms. He’s all for protecting the homestead, but he draws the line at shooting and killing intruders. A nuanced take? You bet. It’s not every day you hear someone walking that fine line so carefully. “These boys’ families are going to suffer with this the rest of their lives, we have to live with this the rest of our lives,” he reminded us, acknowledging the heavy, lasting impact of those fateful decisions.
To wrap it all up with a proverbial bow, Schumacher hopes this devastating event serves as a somber lesson for others. “You can’t change history, but you can damn sure learn from it, and maybe some kids will learn from this,” he concluded, urging everyone to take heed – this was not a senseless rant, but a plea for change.
