ARMSTRONG COUNTY, Pa. — Police are investigating after a 21-year-old man was shot by a homeowner was trying to protect his property, according to police.
“I heard screaming and I didn’t think anything of it,” said neighbor Lynore Rodia.
The screaming that she heard was coming from her next door neighbor’s house on West Main Street in Dayton Borough.
According to investigators, 21-year-old Brandan Vallies was trying to break into a house through a side door during the early hours on Saturday.
Pennsylvania State Police told Channel 11 that the homeowner told the 21-year-old to leave as he pushed through the door. The homeowner pulled out a gun and shot Vallies in the stomach.
According to the District Attorney, the shooting falls in line with the castle doctrine and calls it justified.
The homeowner will not face charges,
“It doesn’t matter if you’re 21 or 81,” Rodia said. “If somebody is breaking into your home, you have the right to defend. Doesn’t matter if you have a gun, a knife, fist or whatever you’ve got. You gotta protect.”
There hasn’t been any charges filed against the intruder just yet. He’s expected to be okay. The homeowner doesn’t want to pursue charges.
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