Teen Killed and His Accomplice Arrested After Failed Home Invasion

HATTIESBURG, MS — A young man, or rather, an older teenager, was killed during an attempt at a home invasion, and his accomplice has been arrested.

Once again, we see the tragic consequences of a teenager who gets in way, way over his head.

As WDAM reports:

A suspect who died in a Hub City home invasion Sunday night has been identified.

Justin Woodland, 17, was killed after being shot by the homeowner, according to Hattiesburg police. Forrest County Deputy Coroner Lisa Klem said Woodland’s body will be sent to Jackson for an autopsy.

According to HPD, one person was taken into custody and questioned, but was released without charges being filed. Anton Smith, a second suspect, was charged with armed robbery and burglary of a dwelling.

The shooting happened just after 9:30 p.m. at a home near the intersection of Orange and Xavier Street in Hattiesburg. “We are investigating a possible home invasion where it appears the suspect was shot by a homeowner at the residence,” said Hattiesburg Police Capt. Branden McLemore.

According to authorities, no charges are being filed against the homeowner, and the case will be presented to the grand jury.

From a parenting side, it is so, so important that this child isn’t yours. And by that, I mean doing whatever you have to do from keeping your kid from falling down this path.

Easier said than done? Absolutely. But Justin Woodland had a mom and dad, whether they were in the picture or not. Who wants tragedy like that affecting their life?

All that being said, we cannot overly sympathize with the attacker, here. From the brief report given, it sounds like the homeowner had every reason to defend his/her home and life (and possibly his/her family’s lives). Deadly threat doesn’t have a minimum age, as sad as it is to contemplate.

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