Nezperce Shooting Of Man Inside Residence Ruled Self-Defense

NEZPERCE, IDAHO — A man was shot and killed by a homeowner after illegally entering the home and refusing to leave, according to police.

Around 9:40 p.m. on May 13th, Damien S. Giles left his truck and entered a home. The home was not locked and Giles entered without force. The homeowner, hearing a noise, left his bedroom with his pistol. He found Giles slumped over in a chair, and the homeowner proceeded to tell Giles to leave his house.

The homeowner then called the Lewis County Sheriff office to report the intruder. The homeowner left Giles in the chair and moved to the hallway. Giles appeared to have left, but then he re-appeared in the hallway.

“The homeowner, who was on the phone with the Lewis County dispatch, warned Damien that ‘these are loaded with hollow point. I will shoot you if you do not get the (expletive) out of my house.’ As dispatch indicated that deputies are en route, the homeowner shoots.”

The police arrived less then two minutes later and based on Giles’s failure to leave, movements toward the homeowner contributed to the self-defense shooting. The announcement of the information took two months because the police were investigating all avenues to ensure the homeowner was justified in their actions.