No Charges In Case Of Roseville Homeowner Who Fatally Shot Intruder
ROSEVILLE (WWJ) - No charges will be filed against a Roseville homeowner who shot and killed an intruder.
The Macomb County Prosecutors Office said Wednesday that following "due deliberation," and after completing its review of the facts and evidence in the case, it has declined to charge the shooter.
Police on Monday said a 35-year-old man was killed when he was shot in the detached garage of a home on Chippendale Street in the Gratiot/I-696 area.
The 29-year-old homeowner was arrested following the incident but has been released from custody, prosecutors said.
Prosecutor Eric Smith told WWJ's Jon Hewett and other reporters it was a case of self defense.
"We have independent witness who corroborate the homeowner's story when he's yelling: 'Put your hands up! I want to see your hands,' to the deceased," Smith said. "The homeowner told us the deceased jumps the fence and says, 'I've got a gun,' and then he turns as though he's grabbing his weapon. The homeowner's in fear for his safety and his family's safety and he fires one shot, and it kills the intruder."
Police did not find a gun on the intruder. who has been identified as Jeff Gray of Otsego, Michigan.
Family members have told reporters Gray was in the area that night because he went to get his W-2 tax form that was mailed to a house where he once lived. Possibly, they said, he may have stopped at the shooter's home because of car trouble.
Smith said the homeowner, who has not been named publicly, is devastated by what took place.
"This was the last thing in the world he wanted to have happen. He was home with his family, but took it upon himself to protect his family and his property."