This episode includes discussion of murder, listener discretion is advised.

It was the afternoon of November 22nd, 2012, Thanksgiving Day, and Little Falls, Minnesota.

It's a small city about 100 miles northwest of Minneapolis.

Throughout town, families were gathered, celebrating the holidays together.

However, Byron Smith was not with his family. the alone in his basement and the dark. But soon he was about to play host to some

uninvited guests. Smith heard an upstairs window shatter. someone had broken into his house, but he didn't go up to see who it was or what was happening.

He just sat in his armchair and waited, patiently, with a rifle.

For 12 whole minutes, Smith listened to the sounds of footsteps

shuffling above him and doorknobobs rattling.

And then, he had what he been waiting for.

The footsteps coming down the stairs.

Through the darkness, Smith saw someone making their way down into his basement. He waited until he saw

their hips. He aimed and fired twice. His target, a 17 year old named Nicholas Brady, crumpled and fell down the stairs.

Smith moved closer and fired another shot.

And then he whispered,

You're dead.

Smith wrapped Brady's body and a tararp and dragged him into another room.

Then returned to the basement, reloaded his rifle,

and resumed his position,

waiting for the next one.

the next one.

This is Vigilani, an original podcast from Podcast One.

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