Irish
04-29-10, 13:01
http://www.wvmetronews.com/index.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=36760
A "justified shooting" is how State Police described an incident in Lincoln County Tuesday evening.
Forty-four year old Thomas Perry suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach from a .22 caliber rifle as he attempted to break into a home in the community of Atenville.
"When we talked to all the witnesses and the person who shot him, Thomas Perry was the aggressor in this incident," said Senior Trooper L.T. Goldie Jr.
Neighbors tell police Perry had attempted to break into several homes in the area. Homeowners had repeatedly ordered him to leave. He's also accused of trying to start a fight with three employees of Armstrong Cable who were nearby working on the cable lines.
"They said he was acting crazy like he was on something," said Goldie. "I can't confirm that he was intoxicated or impaired by drugs or alcohol, but they said he was acting crazy."
When Perry tried to get into the home of Jeffrey Lambert he was told to leave or he would be shot.
"Perry had pretty much dared him to shoot him and said he was coming in anyway," Goldie explained. "In that residence specifically was four small children of Mr. Lambert. He said he felt threatened for his safety and his children's safety, so he fired the shot."
Lambert suffered crippling injuries in a motorcycle accident a year ago and tells State Police a gun was the only way to defend himself and his family.
Perry was struck in the gut by a single shot and is recovering in Cabell Huntington Hospital in stable condition. When he's released he'll face charges of assault and trespassing. No charges will be filed against Lambert.
A "justified shooting" is how State Police described an incident in Lincoln County Tuesday evening.
Forty-four year old Thomas Perry suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach from a .22 caliber rifle as he attempted to break into a home in the community of Atenville.
"When we talked to all the witnesses and the person who shot him, Thomas Perry was the aggressor in this incident," said Senior Trooper L.T. Goldie Jr.
Neighbors tell police Perry had attempted to break into several homes in the area. Homeowners had repeatedly ordered him to leave. He's also accused of trying to start a fight with three employees of Armstrong Cable who were nearby working on the cable lines.
"They said he was acting crazy like he was on something," said Goldie. "I can't confirm that he was intoxicated or impaired by drugs or alcohol, but they said he was acting crazy."
When Perry tried to get into the home of Jeffrey Lambert he was told to leave or he would be shot.
"Perry had pretty much dared him to shoot him and said he was coming in anyway," Goldie explained. "In that residence specifically was four small children of Mr. Lambert. He said he felt threatened for his safety and his children's safety, so he fired the shot."
Lambert suffered crippling injuries in a motorcycle accident a year ago and tells State Police a gun was the only way to defend himself and his family.
Perry was struck in the gut by a single shot and is recovering in Cabell Huntington Hospital in stable condition. When he's released he'll face charges of assault and trespassing. No charges will be filed against Lambert.