NASCAR Team Owner Richard Childress Shoots at Masked Burglars

By John Smithies, Epoch Times
December 21, 2017 Last Updated: December 21, 2017
Richard Childress, team owner of the #3 DOW Salutes Veterans Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 28, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)

Masked men have broken into the house of longtime NASCAR team owner Richard Childress.

Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said that three suspects broke a window and forced their way into Childress’s house around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17.

Childress, 72, had set the alarm and heard the window break. He grabbed his handgun and went downstairs to confront the intruders, shooting repeatedly at them before they escaped.

Investigators said DNA evidence was collected at the house. It does not appear any suspects were injured, according to CBS affiliate WFMY and nothing was taken from his home.

NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Richard Childress poses on the red carpet with his wife Judy prior to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Induction Ceremony at NASCAR Hall of Fame on Jan. 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

In his statement to police, Childress said that “the only reason he and his wife were here today was because of God and the Second Amendment.”

Under the North Carolina Castle Doctrine, people have the right to defend themselves against these types of intrusions.

The Sheriff’s office released surveillance camera footage of the burglars on Facebook, showing that their were faces covered and they were holding what appear to be guns.

Childress is a NASCAR Hall of Fame car owner and an NRA advocate. He is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to arrests, according to the Sheriff’s office.