Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
A homeowner shot and killed a Port Allen man who authorities believe was in the middle of a home invasion armed robbery of the homeowner’s residence Thursday night, West Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputies said.
Sheriff’s investigators believe Kelly Cline, 32, 1431 U.S. 190, Port Allen, was shot once with a handgun after he and others allegedly broke into the mobile home at a trailer park off La. 415 near Port Allen about 10 p.m. Thursday during severe storms.
“(The homeowner) was able to arm himself and shoot one suspect,” said Col. Richie Johnson, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office.
Johnson said the homeowner shot Cline while he, Cline and the others were outside the mobile home after the break-in but while the robbery was still in progress.
Johnson emphasized Friday that the homeowner, who was not identified, did not shoot Cline during an attempt by Cline and the others to flee the mobile home.
Johnson said deputies believe, based on their preliminary investigation, that the shooting was justified as self-defense.
“But we will continue the investigation,” Johnson said.
He said the others who were believed to be with Cline during the robbery escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Friday afternoon, deputies arrested one of the men accused of participating in the robbery, Daquan Washington, 24, 2090 Lobdell Highway, No. 22, Port Allen, Johnson said.
Hours before the late-night robbery Thursday, sheriff’s deputies had picked up Washington on a bench warrant for an outstanding traffic violation but he was released from the parish jail the same day after posting bail, Johnson said.
Washington, who lives in the same trailer park as the homeowner targeted in the home invasion, has been booked on counts of being a principal to home invasion and to armed robbery, Johnson said.
Johnson said he was not aware of any money being recovered by Friday afternoon.
Johnson said Cline and the others suspected of being involved in the armed robbery knew the homeowner.
Johnson did not provide further details on the robbery nor number of people suspected of being involved, though he said more than two people were involved.
Johnson said deputies are not identifying the homeowner because at least one other suspect remains at large.