An Alabama resident used deadly force to defend his home and other occupants from two intruders, one of which was shooting indiscriminately while kicking in the victim’s door.
On December 13th, Jason Wayne Smith, 40, and Donald Webb Jr., 27, of Jasper, Alabama invaded a home off County Rd 21 in the Poplar Springs Area of Northern Alabama, about one hour northwest of Birmingham.
Officials told the North West Alabamian that Smith ran up to the house and struck a male sitting on the porch in the head with his pistol. He then proceeded to fire his handgun inside the house while entering the residence.
The resident of the home, hearing the gunshots, grabbed a firearm to defend himself and his girlfriend who were in one of the bedrooms.
Smith continued firing as he kicked in the bedroom door where the two occupants sat ready to defend themselves. The armed resident discharged five rounds toward Smith. Three of those rounds found their target. Smith fell back into the hallway, dead.
Alabama: Hunters Can Now Take Coyotes, Hogs At Night
As this took place inside, Webb, the second invader, grabbed the assaulted victim from the porch and began carrying him into the house. After seeing Smith lying in the hallway, Webb fled the scene in a vehicle.
Winston County Sheriffs reported to the scene soon after to find Smith dead in the hallway. They were able to develop leads that guided them to the apprehension of Webb soon after.
The surviving intruder has been charged with first-degree robbery and may face other charges as the investigation continues, according to the Winston County Sheriff’s Office.
For now, Webb has been released on a $30,000 bond. The unnamed resident who shot Smith is not facing charges.
Laws can Prevent You from Becoming a Statistic
On average, 503 Alabama residents die every year as a result of firearm-related homicides, according to everystat.org. Fortunately for the residents highlighted in the story above, they were able to avoid being added to that list.
Alabama is a “Stand Your Ground” state (Ala. Code 1975, § 13A-3-23). According to state law “A person may use deadly physical force and is legally presumed to be justified in using deadly physical force in self-defense or in the defense of another person…”
Due to this law, and many like it nationwide, law-abiding citizens around the country can defend themselves, their loved ones, and their property from criminals that wish to do harm without the fear of legal charges being brought against them as long as they meet the requirements of their respective state law.
For Alabama, conditions that fall under their “stand your ground” law include the use of deadly force against any criminal who uses or is about to use unlawful deadly force, physical force against an occupant while committing a burglary, kidnapping, assault, forcible rape, and many other instances.
There are currently 37 states with variations of “Stand Your Ground” laws.
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I thank God every day that I live in Idaho, where a citizen can legally carry a firearm (openly or concealed) without any license or registration process. The 2nd Amendment is still alive and well here – and, thanks to that – we have much fewer assaults with firearms or mass shootings that the rest of the populous of the great country of ours The United States of America!
I wish we had similar laws in ORtardia.