Raleigh, Tennessee

From the Memphis Commercial-Appeal of March 5, 2005

Single blast kills home intruder

Raleigh resident won't face charges, police say

Charges won't be filed against a Raleigh homeowner who shot and killed an intruder early Friday.

Police said William J. Harmon, 42, whose last known address was in Millington, died at the scene after a single gunshot wound to the chest. Harmon had a lengthy criminal record, according to court records.

"They (the attorney general's office) declined to prosecute because of the inference of self-defense," Memphis Police Insp. Matt McCann said Friday. "They're in their home. He kicks in the door. They don't know him. They are afraid for their lives. He did what he felt he needed to do."

The homeowner, identified as Bob Pritchett, declined to discuss the shooting.

Harmon's police record included aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, domestic assault, carrying a pistol and vandalism. Additionally, there were several charges of public intoxication and a charge of driving under the influence, and someone filed a protection order twice against Harmon. The computerized court records did not indicate who sought the protection.

McCann described what happened about 12:45 a.m. Friday at the Raleigh area home: Harmon "started banging and kicking on the door. The homeowner called 911 saying something to the effect of, 'Someone is trying to get into my house.'"

Several minutes later, but before police arrived at the home on Raleigh Millington Road near St. Elmo, McCann said Harmon "kicked the door in and came rushing in."

That's when the homeowner shot him.

Pritchett called police again and told them the intruder had been shot. McCann said police have no motive for the break-in.