Woman Fatally Shoots Intruder With Protective Order After Violent Home Break-In, Police Say

Gulfport, Miss. (BuzzReport) — A Gulfport woman fatally shot a man who police say broke into her home armed with a hammer and a knife early Wednesday morning, ending a violent encounter that authorities believe was an act of self-defense.

According to the Gulfport Police Department, officers were dispatched to a residence around 7 a.m. on December 11 after receiving reports of a break-in in progress. Investigators say the intruder, later identified as 29-year-old Dangelo Murphy, forced his way into the home where two women were inside — both of whom had active protective orders against him.

Police said Murphy confronted the women after entering the residence. During the encounter, one of the women suffered a knife injury. Despite the attack, the women were able to barricade themselves inside another room, buying critical moments as the threat escalated.

Authorities said the second woman, who was not injured, retrieved a firearm and fired at Murphy, striking him fatally. First responders pronounced him dead at the scene. His identity was later confirmed by the Harrison County Coroner.

Lt. Jason Ducré of the Gulfport Police Department said preliminary findings indicate the women acted in self-defense.

“It appears the women acted in self-defense,” Ducré said, emphasizing that the case remains under active investigation.

Police also revealed that Murphy had recently been released from jail on bond at the time of the incident. Harrison County jail records show he was arrested on October 10 on charges related to the alleged kidnapping of one of the women involved in Wednesday’s incident. He bonded out of jail approximately 15 days later.