Victim takes firearm away from home invader, defends self

By Chad D. Baus

WHIOtv.com is reporting that three home invasion suspects, at least one of whom was armed with a gun, broke into an occupied residence and got into a struggle with the home owner late Thursday evening. According to initial reports, the intended victim was able to gain control of the weapon and shoot the attacker with his own weapon.

From the story:

The shooting happened around 10:30 p.m. Thursday in the 4700 block of Route 35 West.

Investigators said the person was shot while trying to break into a home with two other people. It appears the person living in the residence got into a struggle with the men, and was able to get their weapon. He then fired at least two shots, leaving one of the men wounded in the chest.

The three men took off, but officers stopped their vehicle on Interstate 70 near the Preble County/Wayne County, Indiana line.

Two people in the vehicle were arrested and police called for Careflight to take the shooting victim to the hospital.

Right now it appears the shooting was done in self-defense.

Under Ohio's Castle Doctrine law, if someone unlawfully enters 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.