(ProsperNews.net) – An alleged intruder died when a North Carolina homeowner shot him after warning him to leave. Steven Contestable allegedly tried to gain access to the home in Wake Forest by banging a metal bar against a window when the owner confronted him. The unnamed homeowner reportedly gave Contestable several warnings before opening fire – he has not been charged with any offense.
Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) says it responded to three shooting incidents in the area over a period of just six days.
Last year, media reports showed that burglary rates have reduced in the US since 2017 but still remain high. According to Forbes, there were 942,734 burglaries nationwide in 2017, but this figure had fallen to 377,805 by 2020. On average, the value of goods stolen was $2,416 in 2017 and $2,926 in 2020. The state with the highest number of property crimes, including theft, damage, vandalism, arson, and invasion, is Alaska, followed by Missouri. New Jersey and Tennessee are at the other end of the scale, registering the fewest property crimes in the nation. Additionally, only 13% of property crimes result in arrest and prosecution.
In most cases, homeowners who shoot intruders are legally protected, with some states providing a defense under “stand your ground” laws. These laws allow people to use deadly force to prevent the commission of a felony – whether or not the potential offender is armed.
It applies to places of work, home, or any other place a felony is carried out.
Stand your ground law does not contain the “duty to retreat” provision that exists in some states. This means that people do not necessarily have the right to shoot offenders if they could otherwise escape the situation unharmed.
Finally, there is the “castle doctrine.” This is a common law principle that allows homeowners to shoot and kill intruders; this is limited to intrusion or invasion of the home or yard only.
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