When two teenage cousins break into a residence on Elm Street, a true-life horror story unfolds. Little do they know that the retired homeowner has set a sinister trap to catch whoever was burgling his home.

More than twenty-four hours after the two teenagers lose their lives, investigator Jeremy Luberts responds to a suspicious activity complaint at that same Elm Street residence, beginning a case that will forever alter his life and embroil his community and the nation in a debate over just how far people can go to protect themselves in their own homes.