The Dahmers had been sleeping in shifts after receiving numerous death threats throughout the year. The Dahmers had a shotgun by their nightstand in case they heard gunshots and always had the curtains drawn tight at night to make it harder for night riders to see into their home. On January 10, 1966, the Dahmer home was attacked by the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. The family woke to the sound of a shotgun being discharged and the sound of gas jugs being thrown through the windows. As Ellie went to grab the children, the house erupted into fire. Dahmer returned fire from inside the house to try and distract the Klansmen while he helped hand Bettie down to Ellie. He was able to leave his burning home, but was seriously burned from the waist up; Bettie also suffered major burns to her arms. The Dahmers' home, grocery store, and car were all destroyed in the fire. Dahmer was taken to the hospital, but died due to smoke inhalation and severely burned lungs. Before he died, Dahmer had told a local newspaper reporter: "I've been active in trying to get people to register to vote. People who don't vote are deadbeats on the state. I figure a man needs to do his own thinking. What happened to us last night can happen to anyone, white or black. At one time I didn't think so, but I have changed my mind."