Akron resident and homeowner James Lowgher, 74, shot a teenager in self-defense after the teen broke into his house this week. The boy, 16, was taken to a local hospital where officials say he is in stable condition.
Officers responded to a call about a morning home invasion and administered first aid to the boy before taking him to Akron Children’s Hospital. Police have not charged Lowgher with any crimes.
According to Lowgher, the boy broke in through the front door. Lowgher confronted him before the boy tried to force his way into his basement, which is when he shot him.
“He headed to the basement and I pumped two into him there,” Lowgher said. “He went down the steps that way and I got him a third time I hope.”
“He didn’t belong here and I knew damn well after he came through the door like that, I can shoot him,” said Lowgher.
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Michael Benza, Senior Instructor of Law at Case Western University, told News 5 Cleveland that the shooting looks like a perfect example of self-defense under Ohio’s Castle Doctrine.
“Somebody’s breaking into the house, they are in the house, the person is defending their house and they have the right to use deadly force in that case,” Benza said.
Charges against the minor are still pending while the police investigation is ongoing. Lowgher was not hurt during the break-in.