Police: No charges expected in self-defense shooting death
No charges are expected to be filed against a man who fatally shot an intruder trying to force his way into his residence late Saturday, Baton Rouge police said Tuesday.
The resident, Kurt Anderson, exchanged gunfire with Anthony Taylor, a 20-year-old man who tried to break into the home at 3875 Topeka St., police said.
Police Lt. Don Kelly said Anderson had not been expecting anyone late Saturday night and armed himself with a handgun before opening the door for Taylor.
Taylor, the only person struck in the exchange of gunfire, ran and collapsed a short distance away, Kelly said.
Officers responding to reports of shots fired at 11:45 p.m. found Taylor’s body near Geronimo and Mohican streets, police have said. Taylor’s gun was located next to him, police said.
“Neither Anderson nor any of the other occupants of the home, including a 2-year-old child, were injured,” Kelly said in a news release. “At this time, no charges are anticipated against Anderson as the shooting appears to have been justifiable under law as self-defense. However, the case will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for review.”
Louisiana law states the use of force or violence is justifiable “when committed for the purpose of preventing a forcible offense against the person or a forcible offense or trespass against property in a person’s lawful possession” as long as it is “reasonable and apparently necessary” to prevent such an offense.
The law says a person “not engaged in unlawful activity and who is in a place where he or she has a right to be shall have no duty to retreat before using force or violence ...”
“You don’t have to run from an intruder,” East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III said Tuesday.
Anderson, 35, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.