DALE COUNTY, ALABAMA – A man was shot early Wednesday morning while allegedly breaking into a home. According to Dale County Chief Deputy Mason Bynum, Ozark-Dale County 911 received a call around 5:44 a.m. Wednesday. The male caller, a resident in the 5000 block of County Road 14 in the Sylvan Grove community, reported a burglary in progress.
During the call, the suspect broke a window of the residence and attempted to enter the home. As he started through the window, the homeowner shot him in the head. A deputy was on the scene within six minutes and located the suspect, who was unresponsive, near the residence. He was transported to an area hospital by Echo Fire Rescue where he is listed as critical.
The Chief Deputy says that while it is early in their investigation, they have already spoken with the Dale County District Attorney’s Office and do not anticipate any charges being lodged against the homeowner.
Alabama is one of twenty-three states in the nation that have castle doctrine laws on the books. Such laws allow an occupant of a dwelling to legally use lethal force, with any duty to retreat, in defending their homes against those who enter without permission. Many states also take their laws a step further and offer legal protection to the homeowner against any civil lawsuits that may be filed by the suspect or their family.
