We have the Castle Doctrine in Missouri too. I'll guarantee that if I shoot an intruder, or anyone else, I'm not quiting pulling the trigger untill he is very dead. Only then can you consider a threat truly over. I've known men to die because they wrongly thought they'd ended a threat simply because the threat went down. I keep two 9mm's and a 12ga pump by my bed placed to be reached in various situations. I have other handguns placed throughout the house as well. I also have an agressive Boxer, in the house, to give me the seconds needed to grab one. Anyone comes to my door that I don't know well I have my hand on a pistol. You can never be too safe. Unfortunately, that elderly lady will have to live with the fear of that low life returning and that's a real shame. I have had several people ask why wouldn't I shoot to wound and disarm a person. I simply reply that life isn't a B western and those that think it is can end up realising that fact as they take their last breath.