Kentucky Self-Defense: LMPD investigating after homeowner shoots, kills intruder in south Louisville :: 01/28/2016

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Police say a man was fatally shot in south Louisville this morning as he tried to break into a home.

Louisville Metro Police were called to a home on Manslick Road near Iroquois Park just before 4 a.m. on the report of a shooting.

LMPD spokesman Dwight Mitchell says when officers arrived they found a white male dead outside the home. Mitchell has confirmed that the man was in the process of breaking into the home when he was shot. 

Mitchell says the investigation is continuing, but it appears the homeowner shot the intruder to protect his family. 

"Ultimately, we are still in the very early stages to determine what happened here, but it's unfortunate to have someone lose their life, " said Mitchell.  "And it's unfortunate that a homeowner has to take action as they see fit."

“I’ve been here 23 years and we’ve never had anything like this before,” described Tom Vessels, who lives across the street from the scene. “They’re real nice people. They’ve never caused any trouble.”

A criminal defense attorney for nearly three decades, Bill Butler says if the LMPD investigation ultimately determines the person was trying to break in, it’s unlikely the homeowner will be charged.

“The person has to be attempting entry or has to have made entry into the home,” said Butler. “If they’re just standing on the lawn, thinking about breaking in, the homeowner has no right whatsoever to shoot him.”

LMPD is also investigating an apparent self-defense shooting that happened Tuesday night in downtown Louisville.

Police say a woman pulled a gun from her purse and shot and injured a man who appeared to have a weapon and tried to rob her.

Based on the circumstances, Butler says that shooting appears to be justified, as well.

Both incidents remain under investigation by LMPD.

http://www.wdrb.com/story/31077556/lmpd-investigating-a-shooting-on-manslick-road