An Anderson resident shot and killed a masked man who broke into her home around midnight after claiming he was the police and demanded money.
The suspect fatally shot was 40-year-old Jeffery Flowers, according to Anderson Police.
“Neighbors had videos of him parking in front of the residence and looking through windows, ultimately breaking through the door and pulling a weapon out,” said Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings. “There was audio, and you could hear what he was saying inside. He said, ‘It’s the police.’ He was claiming to be a police officer, but he had a mask on,” via Fox 59.
Police say the homeowner, after retreating upstairs, fatally shot Flowers; the suspect was found dead in a bedroom by the time police arrived.
“You know, seeing it a few houses down, it’s unnerving for sure,” said neighbor Anthony Alfarano, who also carries a firearm. Alfarano believes if the case is a proven home invasion, the homeowner had a right to protect her home and her children.
“Inside a person’s house, they can use deadly force, and that’s called the castle doctrine,” said attorney Mario Massillamany.
Attorney Massillamany, who isn’t involved with the case, also points out state lawmakers recently expanded the castle doctrine to provide even greater civil and criminal protections to homeowners.
“The castle doctrine in Indiana is a pretty strong law. You do not have a duty to retreat,” said Massillaman.
With the amount of footage and witness accounts of the evidence, it is almost sure to be proven a home invasion.
The homeowner did everything arguably right and has the state’s castle doctrine to supplement it. The only thing more beneficial would have been for her to have had a firearm ready the moment the intruder broke in instead of initially retreating.
Otherwise, it is important to note that not every other state has a strong castle doctrine, as stated herein, as this is a reminder to stay updated on what is legal when regarding your state’s home defense.
