Tacoma, WA

 6/2/22 News-Tribune:

After shooting at a suspected car thief on Monday, Pierce County Council candidate Josh Harris has not been arrested or charged by police. Harris said that he fired shots in self-defense at the man in the vehicle because he tried to run him over. Harris, who has a concealed weapon permit, fired at least four rounds from a 9mm handgun at the driver, saying he only did so “to protect my life.” Harris filed in May to run as a Republican for the Pierce County Council District 7 seat to represent Gig Harbor and Key Peninsulas, Fox Island, and parts of north and west Tacoma, according to previous News Tribune reporting.

The man that Harris shot was taken into custody on Tuesday and is still in the hospital, where he is being treated for wounds. Once released, he will be arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and assault.

Charleston, WV

 5/26/22 WCHS:

Dennis Butler was killed after allegedly shooting at dozens of people attending a graduation party Wednesday near the Vista View Apartment complex. No injuries were reported from those at the party.

Investigators said Butler was warned about speeding in the area with children present before he left. He later returned with an AR-15-style firearm and began firing into the crowd before he was shot and killed.

“Instead of running from the threat, she engaged with the threat and saved several lives last night,” Charleston Police Department Chief of Detectives Tony Hazelett said.

Officers did not go into detail, but said Butler did have an extensive criminal history.

What could have been another tragedy of huge numbers of deaths ended up as one dead killer.

South Bend, MO

 7/9/21 ABC channel 57:

The St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday it will not be pursuing charges against the 72-year-old man who shot and killed David Austin in April because the shooting was deemed justified....

An eyewitness, who did not know the shooter, said Austin approached the 72-year-old man in an aggressive manner even though the 72-year-old had a handgun.

The eyewitness said Austin approached the 72-year-old in a "boxer's stance." As the witness passed by the two men, he saw the shooter lower the handgun and walk backwards as Austin walked towards the man with the gun, reports said.

Seconds later the witness heard a single gunshot.

The shooter ran home and called 9-1-1, then went back to the scene and waited for police.

He told police that Austin had hit him in the head - and feared another blow would kill him, reports said.

Oswego, IL

3/1/18 Chicago Tribune:

Some time on Feb. 26, Dave Thomas heard screams in his Oswego apartment building, grabbed his AR-15 rifle and ran down the hall. He confronted a man who was stabbing another man and scared him off. Thomas is a gun instructor with a CCL.

Tennessee: Homeowner shoots teenager in his driveway

Knoxville, Tennessee

From WBIR of September 19, 2009

Homeowner shoots teenager in his driveway

Investigators are trying to piece together the series of events that led to a teenager being shot by a homeowner in South Knox county.

Deputies with the Knox County Sheriff's Office responded to a shooting at 837 Lester Road, shortly before 11 p.m. Friday night.

Jonathan and Kara Stevens told investigators they were at home when they heard their pit bulls barking.

They armed themselves with a pistol and flashlight as they went outside to investigate.

The couple told detectives a teenager jumped out from behind a car in their driveway and pointed gun a 12 gauge shotgun at them.

Jonathan Stevens said he shot the 15 year old twice and believes the teenager shot at them twice before they ran back into their home.

Neighbors say the suspect collapsed in their driveway after the shooting.

Deputies found the teenager laying in the road with two gun shot wounds in his upper torso.

Rural Metro took the suspect to UT Medical Center.

The homeowners were not hurt.

Deputies said three other juveniles got away in a car. One has been questioned, but no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed

Detectives say Stevens and the teenager knew each other and they believe the motive was robbery.

They are not releasing the name or condition of the teenager.

Tennessee: Burglary/assault suspect shot by victim's mother

Knoxville, Tennessee

From WBIR of September 18, 2009

Burglary/assault suspect shot by victim's mother

A burglary suspect is recovering from a gunshot wound near his groin--a wound 75-year-old Ruth Robbins gave him after he fought with her son and then got in a scuffle with her.

Jesse Williams, 28, sits in the Morgan County jail, charged with burglary, aggravated assault, and simple assault, as he nurses a gunshot wound to his leg. He was taken there after being treated and released at UT Medical Center.

According to the Morgan County Sheriff's Office, Williams broke into David Brandenburg's Petros home Thursday night. Brandenburg, 43, and Williams fought, eventually making their way out into the yard.

Ruth Robbins came over from her home next door and tried to intervene to help Brandenburg, who is her son. At that point, authorities say Williams turned his attack on her--so she shot him.

The shooting happened at 9:03 Thursday night.

Brandenburg was injured in the fight but declined treatment. No charges have been filed against Robbins.

Oregon: Man Shoots Intruder Armed With Bat

Klammoth Falls, Oregon

From KPTV of September 9, 2009

Man Shoots Intruder Armed With Bat

Police say a man shot an intruder who was armed with a baseball bat Tuesday night.

Mark Farrell, 24, of Beatty, entered Jim Westman's house armed with a wooden baseball bat, said Klamath Falls Sheriff Timothy Evinger in a news release.

Farrell attempted to assault Westman with the bat and Westman fired one round from a .22-caliber rifle, which hit Farrell in the right forearm. Farrell continued to assault Westman after he was shot, Evinger said.

Roxann Klobucar, Westman's mother, was able to wrestle the bat from Farrell. Klobucar hit Farrell several times in the head until he was subdued, Evinger said.

Prior to entering the house, Farrell damaged Westman's vehicle with the bat, Evinger said.

Evinger said the motive appears related to a theft from Farrell about a month ago.

Farrell was transported to a nearby hospital. He is expected to face charges of burglary, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.

Detectives are continuing to investigate.

Florida: Lithonia Burglar Shot In Buttocks

Lithonia, Florida

From CBS Atlanta of September 10, 2009

Lithonia Burglar Shot In Buttocks

A burglar who broke into a Lithonia home was shot in the buttocks by the homeowner, police said.

The burglary happened at about 11:30 a.m. at the home on Gadwell Circle.

The intruder was taken to a hospital with moderate injuries, police said. The intruder’s name was not released.

Investigators said no charges are expected to be filed against the homeowner, who was not identified by police.

Delaware: Intruders shot, cut by 74-year-old man, police say

Lewes, Delaware

From the Delaware Online of September 11, 2009

Intruders shot, cut by 74-year-old man, police say

State police say a 74-year-old man shot one intruder and cut another at his home west of Lewes. The intruders fled but were later arrested by police.

The incident happened about 6:20 p.m. Thursday in the 19000 block of Bee Jay Lane, off Beaver Dam Road.

Sgt. Walter Newton said the homeowner arrived back at the house and found an empty SUV in his driveway and a side door that had been locked was open. He then found the front door had been kicked in.

Two men -- later identified by police as Paul L. Spencer, 43, and Gregory B. Stewart, 49, both of Lincoln -- approached the homeowner at the side door and said they were “looking to purchase a dump truck,” Newton said.

The homeowner told them to leave, but they continued toward him. Spencer crossed the threshold and grabbed a landscaping tool and threatened the homeowner, Newton said. The homeowner took a machete from next to the door and swung it at Spencer, striking him several times in his right forearm and hand.

“Both suspects continued toward the homeowner, which caused him to fire two .25 caliber rounds from a handgun. One of the bullets struck Stewart in his abdomen,” Newton said.

Both Lincoln men then fled, but Stewart was arrested at Milford Memorial Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment of a gunshot wound, Newton said.

Police later located Spencer at his home and charged him with burglary, conspiracy, menacing and criminal mischief. He was treated for cuts to his right arm and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution. Bail information was not immediately available.

Warrants were on file charging Stewart with the same offenses, Newton said. He was reported in stable condition at the hospital.

The homeowner was not injured.

Michigan: Woman: Shooting man was self-defense

Bedford Township, Michigan

From the Battle Creek Enquirer of August 22, 2009

Woman: Shooting man was self-defense

A 70-year-old Bedford Township woman said Friday she had no choice but to shoot a man coming at her with a shovel.

"I didn't want to hurt him but I didn't want him to hurt me," Virginia Hawes said in an interview at her home in Bedford Hills Mobile Village. "I didn't want to kill him. I just wanted to stop him. If he would have stopped, no one would have gotten hurt."

Battle Creek police said Hawes shot Nicholas Beltz, 24, in the leg in her yard about 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

"He kept coming at me. I pointed the gun at his head, but I didn't want to shoot him in the head. I wimped out," she said.

Hawes said Beltz threatened her after she called police because his girlfriend, Emily Bannister, 18, said she was being assaulted.

Hawes said Bannister came to sit on her porch until police came. When Beltz began walking toward them, Hawes said she warned him to stay off her property.

"She was sitting on the porch and she got up but I told her to stay," Hawes said. "He said he just wanted to talk to her and he wanted to tell her he loved her and he kept coming. I thought he was going to hurt her."

Hawes' grandson, Bryan Hawes, 23, was outside with his grandmother and picked up a shovel, held it out horizontally in an attempt to block Beltz. But Beltz pushed Bryan Hawes aside and took the shovel.

Virginia Hawes said that is when she went inside her home, put five bullets in her .38-caliber revolver and walked back outside, holding the gun to her side.

She bought the handgun in March as protection from a former family member, registered it and had taken classes and practiced at South Side Sportsman Club in Battle Creek.

"I told him to get back and he kept walking toward me. I put the gun up and told him to get back or I will shoot. He called me an old bitch and he kept coming at me and holding the shovel."

Hawes said he told Beltz a half-dozen times to stop and leave her property.

When they were about four feet apart, she said he dropped the shovel but continued forward.

"He said, 'Shoot me in the head old bitch and I will take the gun away from you,' and I thought, 'If I shoot him in the head, how can he take the gun away?'"

Hawes said she believed that Beltz had been drinking and taking drugs and she decided she had to shoot.

She pointed the gun at his foot and pulled the trigger but said he stepped into the bullet and it hit him above the right knee.

"I figured I had to stop him. He was too drunk or high to understand," she said. "He went down like a tree."

After the shooting, Hawes went back inside the trailer, put the gun away and told her grandson to call police. When officers arrived, Beltz was on the ground moaning and she was handcuffed and placed in a patrol car after officers went inside to retrieve the gun.

Hawes, her grandson and witnesses were taken to the police station and questioned and she was released.

"I was prepared to spend a night in jail, but I didn't want to."

She doesn't regret the shooting.

"He was on our property and we were in danger. I didn't want to shoot in the air. I probably could have reached out and conked him with the gun.

"I have nothing to say to him. I really don't want to see him anymore."

Detective Sgt. Carter Bright of the Battle Creek Police Department said a report about the shooting will be sent to the prosecutor's office "but it appears to be self defense."

Bright said warrants have been issued charging domestic violence against Beltz and his girlfriend and assault and battery against Beltz, with Bryan Hawes as the victim.

Beltz's mother, Denise, said Friday afternoon her son remains in the hospital with significant pain.

"I am very upset by this. It was wrong that she had a gun and shot him. Nick is very upset and doesn't know why she did it."

Denise Beltz insisted her son would not hurt anyone and that her understanding was that he had turned to walk away when he was shot in the back of the leg; Bright said that theory does not appear to be true.

"It doesn't give her a right to have a gun when Nick didn't have a gun," Denise Beltz said.

Tennessee: Clerk Shoots Would-Be Robber

Memphis, Tennessee

From My Fox Memphis of September 2, 2009

Clerk Shoots Would-Be Robber

No charges have been filed yet in a deadly Wednesday morning shooting in Northeast Memphis. Witnesses said a store clerk had to protect himself from a would-be robber, who was armed with a taser. Tonight, the man police say was trying to rob the store is dead.

Before crime scene tape and squad cars covered Lana's parking lot Wednesday morning, a strange looking man caught Gary Belcher's attention.

"He had the most coldest look on his face," Belcher said.

Belcher said he was picking-up trash when a man passed him and walked inside Lana's Market on Macon Road. Then, he said, he heard two gun shots. He ran into the store where he saw his friend, the store clerk, standing behind the counter.

"He had a gun in his hand and he was saying, 'help me Gary, help me.' I couldn't see the guy. At about that time, I [saw] a hand come up behind the counter, he was behind the counter and trying to grab for the gun," Belcher recalled.

Belcher said the would-be robber used a taser on the clerk before he was shot, "He tasered [him] all over his head and his back nowl"

Memphis Police said the robber later died at the hospital. Riyad Ghosheh said he's the clerk's cousin and a store owner himself. He said store owners in Memphis have no choice but to arm themselves at work. Ghosheh thinks current deterrents are not working, "If they do heavy, heavy punishment on the robbery, nothing will happen. But if he [robs] somebody the next day, a 100-dollar bond, he's out of jail. That's the problem, the punishment is not heavy."

Business is back to normal at Lana's. Belcher said he'll have no problem coming back to work. He'll just keep a look-out.

Police officers say they are still investigating this case.

California: Authorities say shooting of three was self-defense

Sacramento, California

From the Mercury News of August 31, 2009

Authorities say shooting of three was self-defense

Authorities say a man who shot and killed two men and wounded another in a Sacramento apartment early Monday was acting in self-defense.

Sacramento County Sheriff's Sgt. Tim Curran says authorities declined to arrest the 26-year-old man after witnesses reported that the three men confronted the man outside his apartment, then broke in and continued the attack after he had retreated inside.

Investigators say during the attack, the man retrieved a handgun and shot all three attackers.

Two of the attackers died at the scene. The third, a 23-year-old, was taken to a hospital. He is expected to survive.

Curran says the district attorney's office will make a final decision on whether to file charges against the resident of the apartment.

West Virgina: Man Charged in Logan County Murder, Stabbing

Logan County, West Virginia

From WSAZ of August 17, 2009

Man Charged in Logan County Murder, Stabbing

One man is dead and his twin brother is in the hospital after a man came into their home and stabbed them. It happened late Saturday night at home in Man.

West Virginia State Police say Billy Johnston came to the house that twin brothers Mac and Jerry Belcher shared. Johnston knocked on the door, and when Mac opened it, Johnston stabbed him multiple times. Then, police say Johnston went to the bedroom where Jerry was still sleeping and stabbed him multiple times as well, killing him.

Despite his injuries, Mac managed to grab a gun and shoot at Billy Johnston, according to State Police. None of Mac's shots hit his attacker, but it did scare him away.

Troopers later arrested Johnston and took him to the Southwestern Regional Jail. He was brought in by West Virginia State Police just before 6 Sunday morning, but it's little consolation to neighbors who say they've lost a good friend.

"It's just totally devastated everybody," Roger Perry, a friend of the twins, said. "It hasn't really sunk in yet. I just don't understand how somebody could come in with a knife and stab somebody to death."

"I've had grown men come here today and cry," neighbor Alice Mitchell said. "My phone has rung off the hook from everyone calling. It's just a great, painful tragedy that this has happened."

Mac Belcher is at Charleston General Hospital, and doctors say his wounds don’t appear to be life threatening.

Neighbors say this wasn't the first time that the 68-year-old twin brothers had been in an altercation with Johnston. They believe the argument started over some tools that Johnston sold to the Belcher brothers.

South Carolina: Husband, wife hold off robber until police arrive

Charleston, South Carolina

From the SC Now of August 14, 2009

Husband, wife hold off robber until police arrive

An Horry County husband and wife fight off would-be robber inside their business.

According to a press release, a man tried to rob Ron’s Busy Corner, 5709 Juniper Bay Rd, Conway, Thursday afternoon when he placed a knife to the back of the store’s owner.

Police said Roger Lee Green, 34, of Galivants Ferry came into the store and pointed a knife to the back of the store owner while he was sitting at a table.

The owner stood up, struggled with Green, along with a customer, and took the knife away.

The owner’s wife was then able to get a pistol and hold the man there until police arrived.

Green is currently in J. Ruben Long Detention Center charged with Armed Robbery.

Montana: ‘Castle doctrine’ law forces shooter’s release, prosecutor says

Billings, Montana

From the Billings Gazette of August 11, 2009

‘Castle doctrine’ law forces shooter’s release, prosecutor says

A man who police said shot his Wal-Mart co-worker in a dispute over the length of a work break has been released from custody because his actions may be protected by Montana's recently enacted "castle doctrine" law.

The shooting, which took place Monday evening, is under investigation by the Billings Police Department and could still result in charges. But Yellowstone County Attorney Dennis Paxinos said language in the "castle doctrine" bill passed during the last session of the Montana Legislature required him to release the shooter until more information becomes available.

The law asserts, among other things, that a person has a "natural right" to use firearms for self-defense and is not required to summon law enforcement assistance before using "justifiable" force to ward off an attack.

"The play of (House Bill) 228 with the current law causes us some pause to do a much more thorough investigation to determine if we can charge anyone," Paxinos said.

When police arrived at the Wal-Mart on King Avenue West at about 9:15 p.m. Monday, they found Daniel Lira, 32, inside the store's loading dock area with a gunshot wound.

Billings Police Sgt. Jay Berry said that Lira hit co-worker Craig Schmidt, 49, in the face. Schmidt fell backward, then pulled out a .25-caliber semiautomatic Beretta handgun and shot Lira, police said. The single shot was fired at a range of 10 to 15 feet.

Lira, 32, was taken to St. Vincent Healthcare and later released. Police Sgt. Kevin Iffland said the bullet grazed the side of his head from front to back.

Paxinos said that prior to passage of House Bill 228 authorities would have had probable cause to arrest Schmidt for assault with a weapon.

Now, he said, they need more details about whether there was a history of aggression between the two men, what they may have said to each other when the incident occurred and other information that will shape whether it was reasonable for Schmidt to believe his life was threatened. Other details such as the size of the two men - Schmidt weighs 150 pounds and Lira weighs 300 pounds - could also affect whether a self-defense claim is reasonable, Paxinos said.

"I'll have to do the investigation while the guy is free to move around," said Paxinos, who along with other county attorneys opposed House Bill 228 during the legislative session.

The "castle doctrine" bill, which was sponsored by Republican Rep. Krayton Kerns of Laurel and supported by the National Rifle Association, sparked passionate debate about self-defense rights before passing the Legislature.

"Once somebody punches you, and you're down and incapacitated, that person has already demonstrated an intent for violence and you can't tactically assume that they're only going to hit you once," said Gary Marbut of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, who crafted the bill.

But those opposing the "castle doctrine" legislation argued that existing law already protects those acting in self-defense, and that the new code would only create unnecessary burdens for prosecutors and police officers.

"There's just such a disconnect between words on paper and what happens on the streets of Montana, and I think legislators had to be more sensitive to what's happening on the street," said Jim Smith, spokesman for the Montana County Attorneys Association.

Aside from potential legal charges, it was unclear if Schmidt or Lira will face disciplinary action from Wal-Mart. Schmidt has a permit to carry the concealed weapon, but a spokesman for the company said it would be inappropriate to discuss whether Wal-Mart has a policy about employees carrying guns.

"We are still gathering details at this time, and we're now most concerned about the well-being of the people involved," Kelly Cheeseman said.

Indiana: Armed homeowner stops enraged man

Whiteland, Indiana

From WISH of August 13, 2009

Armed homeowner stops enraged man

A Columbus resident is accused of trying to break into a rural Whiteland home.

Patrick F. Ianni, 33, 4440 Post-horn Court, Columbus, was arrested on charges of residential entry and public intoxication.

At about 1:40 a.m. Thursday, Ianni kicked the door of a rural Whiteland home and broke the door jam but walked away after the owner threatened to shoot him if he entered the home, according to a police report.

"The only smart decision he made was not to enter that home," Johnson County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Doug Cox said. "He's alive today because he didn't enter that house."

Ianni had visited a comedy club in Indianapolis with his girlfriend earlier that night and they got into a fight, according to a police report. He demanded to be let out of the vehicle and she let him out near the Whiteland Road interchange of Interstate 65.

He woke two rural Whiteland residents by pounding on their door. He claimed he was a police officer who wanted to ask them a question.

The homeowner warned Ianni that he had a gun and would shoot him if he entered the house and Ianni responded that he had a knife and would stab the homeowner.

A sheriff's deputy found Ianni staggering down the road with a bloody nose and he asked the officer if he could give him a ride.

Ianni yelled at officers, threat-ened to beat them up and told them he was a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent who just wanted to ask the homeowners a question, according to the police report. The sheriff's office checked with the FBI, who confirmed that Ianni isn't an agent.

He's being held at the Johnson County jail on $4,000 bond.

Florida: Palm Bay homeowner fights off two would-be robbers

Palm Bay, Florida

From Florida Today of August 7, 2009

Palm Bay homeowner fights off two would-be robbers

Police continue their search for two armed men who they say pretended to have car trouble before being rebuffed by a resident in an apparent robbery attempt.

The botched hold-up happened late Tuesday night along the 500 block of Windswept Avenue. Police said the two men pulled up to the home and told the resident that they were having car trouble, said Yvonne Martinez, spokeswoman for the Palm Bay Police Department.

“They told him their car overheated. He went inside to get a bucket of water and that’s when they pulled a gun on him,” Martinez said.

The resident dropped the bucket then grabbed for the gun, struggling with the men in the front yard for several moments, officials said. Police said the resident overwhelmed the two men, tossed the weapon back at them and ran inside to get his own shotgun.

The two men ran back to their car and drove off in an unknown direction, police said.

“Nothing was stolen,” Martinez said.

It was not immediately known if the two armed men targeted the resident or acted randomly.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call police at 952-3456.

Kentucky: Homeowner subdues intruder until police arrive

Louisville, Kentucky

From WAVE of July 16, 2009

Homeowner subdues intruder until police arrive

Police in Oldham County are investigating another apparent home invasion attempt. This time the homeowner subdued the alleged intruder until police could arrive.

According to a press release from the Oldham County Police Department, officers were sent to the 1000 block of Goshen Lane about 1:30 a.m. Friday on a report of a home invasion burglary.

When police arrived on scene, they found the home owner, Wes Johnson, and a houseguest, Richard Rackleffe, restraining 34-year-old Sherman Ellis from Louisville.

Johnson told us it was about 1 a.m. Friday when Wes Johnson, his wife and their two out-of-town guests went to bed. About a half-hour later, Johnson says they heard something strange: the garage door opening and closing.

"We got out there and the garage was closed and we couldn't really figure out what was going on," Johnson said.

They didn't know it then, but Ellis had cut open the top of the Johnson's convertible and used the garage door opener to get inside their home. "When I walked back inside, I asked my wife to go up and call 911 and notify them that something was wrong," Johnson said.

That's when he noticed something in the basement. "I saw a closet door in our basement close. When I approached the door and kicked it open the guy came out and started to assault me," Johnson said.

Johnson says he and Ellis continued to struggle. "When somebody's coming at you in the darkness in the night and somebody comes at you with something in their hand to hit you, it helps you realize real quick that something's not right."

Johnson says he yelled for his wife to bring him a pistol he had in the house. In the meantime, Johnson's guests - both former FBI agents - came running downstairs.

"The guy was fighting all he could," said Johnson's guest, Richard Rackleffe. I used to work with defense tactics and all I did was take the arm and put it in a twist, where he quit fighting and he just succumbed or submitted at that point."

They held Ellis at gunpoint until police arrived and even then Johnson said Ellis fought officers, slightly injuring one before being handcuffed.

Even though Johnson managed to get the upper hand, the experience has left him shaken. "It definitely takes all the peace and comfort you have of going home and closing the door and knowing that you are in a safe place."

Police say Ellis lives in Portland, and told Johnson he was in Oldham County for a party. When he got left behind he said he planned to steal a car to get home.

But Johnson says that doesn't explain why Ellis decided to enter his home.

Ellis has a long criminal past, including multiple rape charges. And he's listed on the Kentucky Sex Offender Registry for raping a 15-year-old girl.

Ellis is charged with burglary, robbery, assault, resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer and possession of burglary tools. He is being held in the Oldham County Jail on a $10,000 full security bond.

West Virginia: Mason County man fatally shoots his son

New Haven, West Virginia

From the Charleston Daily Mail of July 12, 2009

Mason County man fatally shoots his son

State Police say a Mason County man is claiming self defense after fatally shooting his son during a dispute in his New Haven home.

Troopers said Lyman Greenlee fired a single shot at his son Charles Scott Greenlee, 35, of Point Pleasant. The incident happened about 10 p.m. Friday, said Trooper A.D. Wooton, the investigating officer.

Charles Greenlee died of his injuries.

Charles Greenlee had gone to the Seventh Street home of his father and stepmother earlier Friday evening and the three of them got into an argument, troopers said.

State Police spokesman Michael Baylous said Charles Greenlee assaulted his father and then began assaulting his stepmother, whose name has not been released. At that time, Lyman Greenlee retrieved a small- to medium-sized handgun and ordered his son to stop, Baylous said.

Troopers said Lyman Greenlee then fired one shot, which struck his son.

State Police said alcohol might have been a factor in the incident.

Troopers said Lyman Greenlee was questioned Friday night and that the man has cooperated fully with the investigation. He told officers he shot his son in self-defense, Baylous said.

Lyman Greenlee was not arrested, nor has he been charged, police said.

Baylous said the case will be handed over to the Mason County prosecutor's office and taken to a grand jury, which will decide if the evidence merits an indictment.

State Police still are investigating.

Utah: Lehi man shoots at intruder, chases him away

Lehi, Utah

From KSL of July 14, 2009

Lehi man shoots at intruder, chases him away

Tense moments in Lehi Tuesday after police set up a perimeter looking for a suspect in a home-invasion robbery.

The all clear has been given, but there are a lot of worried neighbors. They saw dozens of police cars in the street and officers with weapons and K-9s looking for a man who tried to stab someone inside his home.

Around 2 p.m. a 23-year-old man reported to police that someone broke inside his home near 2400 North and 800 West. He said the man tried to stab him, so he grabbed a gun and fired a shot at the intruder and chased him away through the back door.

Police from Lehi, American Fork and Saratoga Springs, as well as Utah County sheriff's deputies, searched for the suspect for nearly an hour.

The victim's sister, Annie, told KSL, "What happened, what we've been told, is that someone tried to stop my brother. I guess my brother shot at him and missed and scared the guy off, and he ran away."

Greg Neer, with the Lehi Police Department, said, "We do not have a suspect in custody. We have a description of him. He's wearing ... he's described as wearing a black tank top with cammo shorts, some Nike running shoes and his hair was light brown, has a little bit spiky in the front."

Neighbors were obviously alarmed to be told by police to stay inside their homes, especially after hearing the suspect could be armed with a knife.

In the end, no suspect was found, and right now detectives are interviewing the victim at the police station to try and find out more information.

Police are still unsure if the suspect was hit, and at this point aren't giving any more information about what happened.