Forest Acres Police Say 20-Year-Old Who Shot Alleged Attacker Acted in Self-Defense

Police in Forest Acres, South Carolina, say a 20-year-old acted in self-defense when he shot a man who allegedly attacked his mother and then went after him, USA Carry reports, citing the Forest Acres Police Department.

Key points

• The call: Officers were sent to a shooting at a Forest Acres home on Oct. 30, a little after 5:30 a.m., and concluded the wounded man had been the aggressor in a domestic violence incident.
• What police describe: The man allegedly assaulted the mother during an argument. When her son stepped in, the man tried to assault him as well, and the son fired.
• The injured man: A 40-year-old from Columbia was hit in the lower body and treated at a local hospital. He is charged with third-degree domestic violence and third-degree assault and battery, which remain allegations.
• No charges for the son: Police said the 20-year-old will not be charged, and they have not released his name.
• Open questions: Police have not said how the man knows the family, whether he had a weapon or how many shots were fired.

Quick take

Forest Acres Police Chief Don Robinson said domestic violence "is not a private matter" and can escalate into situations that threaten lives. USA Carry's writer echoes that point, arguing that armed citizens should keep in mind that danger at home does not always come from a stranger.

Read the full story at USA Carry.