Homeowner who shot intruder now faces assault charge

Published 3:05 pm Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Bonds of $80,000 each have been set for three Vicksburg teens accused of breaking into a home Monday at 301 Meadowvale drive.

The bonds were set for Jamaris McDaniel, 19, 102 Boykins Lane, and Lamar Gray Jr., 18, 431 Ridgewood, St. and Demond Thomas, 18, 50 Whipperwill Road, at an initial appearance Wednesday. Thomas, who fled the home before police arrived, turned himself in to police Wednesday.

All three are charged with one count each of residential burglary and conspiracy to commit a crime.

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A $55,000 bond was set for the homeowner, Jeremy Johnson, 31, 301 Meadowvale Drive, who is charged with aggravated assault and felony possession of marijuana. Jones is accused of shooting at the three teens and wounding McDaniel, who was treated at Merit Health River Region and released.

According to police, Johnson’s actions were not covered under the state’s castle doctrine, which says if a defendant is in his home, he is not required to retreat before using deadly force in self-defense.

Johnson, according to police reports, walked in on what was believed to be a burglary progress at his home.

Officers responding Monday afternoon to a report of shots fired in the 300 block of Meadowvale Drive, learned Johnson found the teens in his home and shot one of them. He left the scene before police arrived.

After Johnson left the house, police issued a description of his car, and he was later stopped by police. The marijuana was found after he gave officers permission to search his car.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

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