A homeowner in Oklahoma might have injured a girl during a neighborhood shootout earlier this week, but police say the “Stand Your Ground” law currently protects him.
Police say the homeowner and a neighbor began arguing early Monday morning, prompting the neighbor to allegedly call friends for backup.
It appears the friends went to the homeowner’s house. When they arrived, the homeowner went outside, armed with a rifle.
The Shootout Begins
Authorities are still investigating who fired the first shot, though initial reports suggest the homeowner may have discharged his rifle first, aiming at the ground.
One of the individuals in a vehicle leaving the scene allegedly fired a pistol at the homeowner as they drove away, according to police.
A police deputy pulled the car over nearby for a traffic infraction, “after hearing reports of shots fired in the area,” according to News9.
Carload of People
Inside he found 21-year-old Marlow Wilson along with several other passengers.
Wilson told deputies he went to the neighborhood to pick up friends. He claimed the homeowner fired at his vehicle without provocation, possibly striking the girl in the backseat.
In the deputy’s body cam footage, Wilson admitted to shooting at the homeowner. He claimed his actions during the shootout were in self-defense.
The deputy arrested Wilson and stayed with the car until an ambulance arrived to take the injured girl to the hospital. She received a bullet wound to the side.
Who Did What?
“We’re not entirely sure whether the bullet that struck the girl was fired by the gentleman with the rifle or the gentleman inside the vehicle,” Aaron Brilbeck, of the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, said.
Wilson faces charges including “assault and battery with a dangerous weapon” and “discharging a weapon from a vehicle,” according to the police report.
READ MORE: Homeowner Shoots Intruder After Neighbors Hear Screams
The homeowner has not received any charges yet. The homeowner argues that he was on his property, defending it.
“Under the Stand Your Ground law, it appears as though he was okay in shooting when he did shoot,” Brilbeck said, as reported by KFOR.
Oklahoma’s Stand Your Ground law permits individuals to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves on their property if they reasonably believe they are under threat.
Police reiterated in their report that the investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be filed as new evidence is uncovered.
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