Holly MatkinWalterboro, SC – A South Carolina homeowner fatally shot one of two armed suspects who allegedly attempted to break into his house on last week.
The Colleton County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) received a call from a resident on Madison Street on Sept. 14 advising that he had shot an intruder who was breaking into his house, the department said in a press release the following day.
Deputies responded to the scene and found a 25-year-old suspect dead on the homeowner’s front porch.
“The homeowner exited the home unarmed and confirmed he shot the man when he and another individual tried to break down his door and were armed with a handgun,” the CCSO said.
He said a second armed suspect fled the scene in a dark-colored sedan prior to deputies’ arrival.
Detectives said they located a gun on the deceased suspect’s body, according to WCSC.
The resident fully cooperated with investigators, to include showing them where he placed the gun he used in the shooting, the sheriff’s office said.
He also provided detectives with his home security camera footage.
CCSO detectives processed the scene throughout the night.
Investigators said the alleged break in “is believed to be an isolated incident” and that the investigation remained ongoing.
The identities of the homeowner and the deceased suspect were not immediately released.
No charges had been filed against the homeowner as of late last week, WCBD reported.
The CCSO urged anyone with information about the situation to contact the sheriff’s office immediately.
More than 100 people commented on the case in response to the CCSO’s press release on Facebook.
“I 100% support this homeowner and the criminal sealed his own fate by the actions he took. But taking a life, even in just, can take a serious toll on a person,” one person wrote. “Let us pray for the homeowner, and regardless of the circumstances, the family of the deceased.”
“More people should stand [their] ground, and not back down from these thugs,” another message read. “…they all need to listen to this warning.”
