Cops: Neighbor Killed Man Trying to Drown Twin Babies

On a 911 call, a woman told dispatchers that a man was threatening to kill her and her 3-month-old twins. Then came the sound of screaming. Authorities say 27-year-old Leland Foster had forced his way into the home in Ada, Okla., where his estranged wife and twin son and daughter were staying Friday, then threatened them with a knife, reports the Ada News. But before police could arrive, a neighbor intervened. As Foster began trying to drown his children in a bathtub while fending off their mother with a knife, a 12-year-old girl—described as the granddaughter of the homeowners—ran for help, authorities tell NBC News.

The girl alerted Cash Freeman, who lives nearby. Authorities say Freeman grabbed his revolver, ran over to the home, and—upon seeing Foster trying to drown the infants—shot him twice in the back. Foster was later pronounced dead, while the twins were taken to a hospital in Oklahoma City. The infants, who were born prematurely, have since been released and are "doing great," police say. Freeman tells KFOR that he was only acting to save the twins, but now fears he could face charges. Police say he was questioned and released following the shooting but that a district attorney will determine if the shooting was justified. (More Oklahoma stories.)