Richmond County, Georgia

From Augusta’s WJBF.com of May 2, 2007

South Richmond County Homeowner Fights Back

WJBF News Channel 6 has learned that a South Richmond County resident will not be charged after he reportedly shot and killed a home invader. At the scene, WJBF has learned that when the Linderwood Drive resident came home today, he noticed that his home had been ransacked. He grabbed a weapon and came upon a suspect in his home. That's when he shot the invader. Early indications from deputies are that this homeowner was defending himself and no charges will be fired.

From the NBCAugusta.com of May 2, 2007

South Augusta Homeowner Shoots Intruder While On The Phone With 911

A homeowner took matters into his own hands Wednesday afternoon.

He shot an intruder while he was on the phone with 911.

The homeowner used a high powered rifle, similar to an A-K 47, to defend himself when he noticed his house had been robbed.

He also noticed several of his guns were missing.

While he was on the phone with 911, he saw the burglar come back into his house.

The homeowner told investigators that because some of his guns were missing, he opened fire.

Investigators say they believe he was acting in self-defense, but it's still early in the investigation.
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The intruder went into surgery at an Augusta hospital Wednesday afternoon.

From the Augusta Chronicle of May 3, 2007

Soldier comes home early, kills burglar
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A man who police said broke into an Army officer's south Augusta house to steal guns was fatally shot Wednesday by the soldier living there.

Errol Lavar Royal, 29, of the 2200 block of Ramblewood Drive was pronounced dead at Medical College of Georgia Hospital about 6:45 p.m. Police said he lived with his parents near the burglarized home in the 3400 block of Linderwood Drive in the Pepperidge subdivision.

Capt. Barre Bollinger, an Iraq war veteran, told police he returned from work about 3:30 p.m. and found his house had been ransacked, said Richmond County sheriff's Investigator Thomas Johnson.

Capt. Bollinger told police he entered his bedroom and noticed that guns were missing.

He grabbed his SKS rifle - a weapon similar to an AK-47 assault rifle - and called 911, Investigator Johnson said.

"While on the phone with 911, he sees the suspect approaching his back door. Because he believes the man now is armed with his stolen weapons, Mr. Bollinger fires at him three times," Investigator Johnson said.

Mr. Royal was shot at least twice in the stomach area. A search of his residence produced two guns taken from Capt. Bollinger's house and marijuana, the investigator said.

Neighbors told police that Capt. Bollinger, who is stationed at Fort Gordon, generally works from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but occasionally returns home early.

As of now, there are no plans to charge Capt. Bollinger in the shooting, police said.

A similar shooting occurred a week ago, when a woman shot an intruder on Lexington Drive, less than a mile from Linderwood Drive.