MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A woman who was taken into police custody after shooting a man who tried to break into her car will not face criminal charges, Memphis Police say.
Meanwhile, Jhatavieus Corley — the alleged burglar she shot — was charged with burglary of a motor vehicle and theft.
Police responded to a shooting Thursday morning at the Brentwood Place Apartments off Sycamore View.
A woman looked out her apartment window after hearing a loud noise, police said. She allegedly saw Corley rummage through her neighbor’s car, then break into hers and steal several things.
Investigators say she grabbed a gun, went outside to confront him, and shot him because she feared for her safety.
When police arrived, they took the woman into custody.
Corley was taken away by ambulance and police say he is expected to survive his injuries.
Neighbors said the man was unarmed. They also said he broke into other vehicles at the complex.
MPD spokesman Louis Brownlee said that in Tennessee people have the right to defend themselves and others, but not property. He said he believes the woman was in fear for her life in this case.
Chip Holland, director of training for Range USA, said in Tennessee you can’t shoot someone for stealing unless you’re in fear for your life.
“Someone’s stealing stuff or breaking into your car, you can say ‘Hey, stop!'” and you can use your fists or something like pepper spray to stop them, Holland said.
“If they quit stealing stuff and they turn towards you, and you’re in fear of death or serious bodily injury to a reasonable person’s degree, then you can use deadly force to defend yourself.”
And unlike other states, you don’t have to try and get away first, but Holland recommends it.
“If you can get away or defuse it, that’s your best option,” Holland said.
Holland said he hopes the woman in this case is able to handle the emotional stress of pulling that trigger.
“Some people will just be debilitated by it and other people, they did it, it was right, it was just,” he said.
