One Homeowner Defends Himself, One is Charged with Assault

2 homeowner-related shootings investigated; 1 homeowner charged - The Clarion-Ledger One homeowner shot a man who was lunging at him. The other shot a fleeing youth in the back through a window. One man faced an imminent threat of death or grave bodily injury; the other did not.

Under current Mississippi law, a citizen can legally kill someone when resisting an attempt to commit a felony upon the person or in that person’s dwelling. A killing also is justified if a person thinks there is imminent danger of a felony being committed or the infliction of great personal injury upon him.

Shooting someone who is running away from you, does not fulfill the requirements of Mississippi's version of the Castle Doctrine.

The Castle Doctrine laws being passed around the country today are NOT a license to kill.