A 46-year-old woman, Stannita Wilson, has been charged with second-degree burglary after a Des Moines homeowner shot her during a violent home intrusion on Guthrie Avenue. Police report that Wilson allegedly forced her way into the residence and attacked the homeowner, who then used a handgun in self-defense.
DES MOINES, IA — A quiet Saturday night in the Union Park neighborhood turned into a violent struggle for survival when a homeowner was forced to defend their life against a random intruder. Just before 11 p.m. on February 28, 2026, Des Moines police responded to a residence in the 1500 block of Guthrie Avenue following reports of an ongoing assault.
The homeowner told investigators the incident began when they heard someone yelling in the backyard and banging on the rear door. Upon unlocking the door to investigate, the resident was allegedly ambushed by 46-year-old Stannita Wilson, who forced her way inside and began a physical assault. The homeowner, who was armed with a handgun, fired multiple rounds to stop the attack.
A Clear Case of Self-Defense
Wilson was transported to MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center with injuries described as minor. After being treated and released, she was immediately booked into the Polk County Jail on a charge of second-degree burglary, a Class C felony. Police emphasized that Wilson was not known to the homeowner, marking this as a dangerous random encounter.
Des Moines police have not filed any charges against the homeowner, as the preliminary evidence supports a justified use of force under Iowa’s self-defense statutes. The investigation remains active as detectives piece together Wilson’s motive for the targeting of the Guthrie Avenue residence.
Safety Tip: The “Knock and Talk” or “Bang and Breach” is a common tactic for home intruders. This case highlights a critical vulnerability: unlocking or opening a door to investigate a disturbance. If you hear someone yelling or banging on your door late at night, your first priority is to secure your interior perimeter and call 911. Never open the door to “check” on a stranger; instead, use your voice from behind the locked door or an intercom system to tell them you have called the police.