a warning, and reminder to those who are unaware of the realities of the law;

The recent fatal shooting of a 15-year-old juvenile delinquent allegedly attempting to steal a car in Charlotte, North Carolina, serves as an important reminder to gunowners that self-defense law has very definable limits with extremely serious consequences when violated. The right to use deadly force in most jurisdictions across the country is typically reserved for protecting life, not property.

The Incident

Keshawn Boyd, a 27-year-old DoorDash driver, is charged with first-degree murder after admitting to shooting Matthias Crockett, a teenager who Boyd claimed was attempting to steal his car on 8th Street in Uptown Charlotte. Boyd has cited self-defense, but legal experts emphasize that protecting property, even from theft, even to stop someone from driving off in your car, generally does not justify the use of deadly force under North Carolina or most any state’s law.

Understanding the Law

Larry Hyatt, a gun store and range owner who teaches gun safety and concealed-carry classes, was quoted in an ABC 7 Chicago news report explaining the legal criteria for self-defense.

“The main criteria under state law is a fear of death or serious bodily harm to yourself or another when using force that is intended or likely to cause death,” Hyatt said. For the claim of self-defense to apply in cases involving property, the individual must be inside the vehicle, home or workplace at the time of the threat. Hyatt emphasized that self-defense laws are intended to protect lives, not possessions...........more.......