(NewsSpace.com) – The majority of US states have “stand your ground” laws, which don’t require people to retreat from an attacker before defending themselves. Indiana is one of those states. An Indianapolis homeowner recently spoke out after killing a home invader.
The home invasion occurred on Tuesday, January 2, in east Indianapolis. According to WRTV, Brent Smith was returning home from a grocery store when a young man walked up to his house with a ski mask on and hit him in the head with a gun. The suspect, later identified by the Marion County Coroner’s Office as 22-year-old Damon Swanigan Jr., struggled with Smith, and the two fell through a glass table.
During the struggle, Swanigan’s gun went off, and he fled the house. However, Smith says there were lots of gunshots outside the house because he went outside and returned fire using Swanigan’s gun. He then used his own personal weapon on the intruder and several other suspects waiting outside. Swanigan died from his injuries.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) was called to the scene and detained Smith while they questioned him about what had happened. Officers discussed the situation with the county prosecutor’s office and released Smith because of the state’s laws that give homeowners leeway when it comes to stand your ground laws. There is no hefty burden of proof required. As long as a homeowner can prove someone was trying to perpetrate a crime or break into a home, there are no legal repercussions.
Smith says he never intended to kill anyone and “didn’t know [Swanigan’s] intention, but [Smith] didn’t want to be shot. That’s just all there is to it.”
The prosecutor’s office is still reviewing all of the facts and evidence in the case before making a final determination. As of the time of writing, no charges have been filed against Smith.
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