Homeowner shoots masked intruder

Jessica Cahoon, ambush slaying victim

A Fayetteville man says he fired shots at two would-be robbers, fatally shooting one, Friday night.

Richard J. Opdenhoff said he and his wife were sitting with their dogs in their living room watching TV shortly before 11 p.m. when two masked men invaded his home and attempted to rob them at gunpoint.

Opdendhoff, who had access to his gun, said he fired three to five shots at the men, hitting one of them. The other assailant got away.

Fayetteville police identified the alleged assailant as Alton Jeffery McCrimmon, 23. He died in a neighbor's yard, investigators said.

Authorities would not confirm that Opdenhoff fired the gun that killed McCrimmon but said no charges have been filed against the resident who shot him.

Opdenhoff said he has been on edge since the April shooting death of his stepdaughter, Jessica Cahoon, who was shot in the head by assailants who ambushed her and her boyfriend who were returning from a birthday party.

He said he bought the gun out of fear the assailants would harm her boyfriend or other family members.

Authorities later arrested the men responsible for Cahoon's death, but Opdenhoff said he and his wife are still fearful.

He said he is confident that police will find and arrest the other assailant involved in Friday's home invasion.



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