Cleveland homeowner defends life against knife-wielding intruder

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported recently that a 43 year-old man with a criminal record was shot and killed when he invaded someone's home.

From the article:

Police were called at 7:28 a.m. about a man breaking into a house there. Third District officers arrived and found David Fletcher with a gunshot wound to the chest. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

The homeowner had heard a noise at his rear door, grabbed a handgun and went to investigate, Sgt. Sammy Morris said.

"Once at the rear door, he observed the suspect standing in his home with a knife," Morris said. "The homeowner shot the suspect once in the chest and notified police."

The homeowner was detained for questioning.

Fletcher has a criminal history that includes breaking and entering and drug possession.

Under Ohio's Castle Doctrine law, if someone unlawfully enters or attempts to enter an occupied home or temporary habitation, or occupied car, citizens have an initial presumption that they may act in self defense, and will not be second-guessed by the State.