An incident occurred in White Lake Township, Michigan, yesterday, when a homeowner confronted and subsequently fired at a group of individuals he claimed were attempting to break into his garage. According to ClickOnDetroit, the homeowner was alerted at around 1 a.m. by his surveillance system that seven suspects had entered his detached garage. In the chaos that ensued when he confronted them, two teens were struck by gunfire, with one found deceased and the other hospitalized with injuries. Neighbors have noted that this was not the first break-in attempt, marking it the third within the year.
Police have been investigating the circumstances around the incident with Lieutenant Matthew Ivory from the White Lake Township Police Department remarking in a press conference, "Obviously, as soon as you realize something is going on, the faster we know and the faster we can get there," reports ClickOnDetroit.
Detailing the police response, Detroit Free Press notes that the White Lake Township police have arrested two individuals suspected of being involved in the attempted break-in, while others are still being sought. The unresolved legal matter of whether the homeowner will be charged remains as Michigan law permits individuals to use deadly force to prevent imminent death, great bodily harm, or sexual assault without the obligation to retreat if they are legally present at the location where the threat occurs.
The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office is set to review the case to determine any forthcoming charges. As this investigation unfolds, the community is urged by police to contact the White Lake Township Police Department at 248-698-4404 if they have any relevant information about the incident.
