A reminder not to shoot a burglar if they are running away from your house

Loading Twitter/X Embed...
If tweet fails to load, click here.

quote:

---

A White Lake homeowner who police say shot at a group of young suspects breaking into his garage this past summer, killing one of them, is facing manslaughter and other felony charges.

Dayton Knapton, 24, was arraigned Nov. 7 in 52-2 District Court in Clarkston on charges of manslaughter, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, and two counts of felony firearm for the death of Sivan Wilson, 17, and the wounding of another individual related to the July incident, the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office said.

“The rights to own firearms and protect one's family and home are fundamental," Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a press release. "Those important rights also come with profound responsibility. Our office worked closely with law enforcement to review the evidence, including the obvious mitigating factors, which led us to these charges."

Matthew Grinage, 21, as well as four juveniles have also been charged with breaking and entering for the attempted burglary of Knapton’s detached garage that led to the shooting, the prosecutor's office said.

According to the release, at about 1 a.m. on July 8, a group of suspects broke into Knapton's garage. "Knapton then left his house with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and allegedly fired two shots into the garage through a windowless locked door," McDonald said in the release. "As the burglary suspects were fleeing, Knapton allegedly fired five more shots. He is then alleged to have gone back inside his house, reloaded the weapon, and returned outside."

Sivan Wilson fled the scene with the other suspects and reportedly was not taken for medical care for approximately 30 minutes, she continued, and died from a gunshot wound. Investigators concluded Wilson was struck by one of the bullets that Knapton fired through the locked door.

"We believe the evidence demonstrates this defendant crossed the line by firing outside his home at fleeing persons," McDonald said. "His actions not only took a life but potentially endangered the surrounding community by firing his weapon into the night.”

Manslaughter is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of $7,500. Assault with intent to do great bodily harm is punishable by up 10 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. Felony firearm is punishable by two years in prison, served consecutively. Breaking and entering is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

---