It can be a risky proposition to use lethal force for self-defense, even in an obvious situation where the intended victim has a reasonable fear of imminent harm.
That’s because of the nearly instant life-and-death decisions that must be made. Is the threat still viable, or did the alleged perpetrator suddenly retreat?
For 30-year-old Marques Griffin of Memphis, that is the question that may chart the course for the rest of his life.
Tennessee man feared for his life after early morning home invasion
The single father of a 10-year-old son told investigators that he was startled awake at about 2:30 a.m. last week by the unmistakable sounds of a break-in. Authorities believe a man entered the apartment through a broken window, and a confrontation quickly ensued.
The intruder reportedly told Griffin, “I didn’t know anyone lived here.”
The system must now decide if the fatal shooting was justified
According to reports, the suspect walked out of the apartment, and Griffin, who is the legal owner of a registered firearm, followed him. He told police that the suspect appeared to reach for his waistband, at which time he fired three shots at close range.
The man died from his wounds, and it is unclear whether he was armed.
Griffin reportedly told investigators that he fired the rounds while the man was attempting to run away. That is a significant reason why he faces prosecution for voluntary manslaughter today, and geography may also play an important role.
While Tennessee is a solid supporter of the Second Amendment, that claim can hardly be made for Memphis. Local lawmakers and prosecutors regularly express their disdain for gun rights, which undoubtedly complicates the path forward for Griffin.
On his crowdfunding site, which has raised over $1,000 in donations, Griffin called the encounter “terrifying” and noted that he is a law-abiding citizen who worked for FedEx for 11 years.
He is currently suspended.
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