A 14-year-old boy was shot dead by a pastor in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Saturday after unlawfully entering the man's home ignoring several signs warning that "nothing on this property is worth your life."
The pastor, Tom Vineyard, 48, of Windsor Hills Baptist Church has since been cleared of any wrongdoing in the death of the teen, Keontre Reese, in his home.
"It was completely legitimate," Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater told NewsOk of the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting. "It was legitimate as could be."
According to Prater, the pastor was out Christmas shopping on Saturday when his alarm company notified him that a motion detector had been activated in his home. He returned home at about 3 p.m. and while checking on the activity in his home he was allegedly attacked by Reese who was hiding in a closet in the back bedroom. Vineyard who is a concealed-carry permit holder then shot the teenager.
"The resident, Tom Vineyard, came home and interrupted the burglary while it was still in progress. Mr. Vineyard became involved in a physical altercation with Reese, inside of the residence. While defending himself during the altercation, Mr. Vineyard shot and killed Reese," said a statement from the Oklahoma City police.
A KFOR report noted that it was Vineyard's son who revealed to police dispatchers that his father had shot Reese. It further noted that signs warning "nothing on this property is worth your life," had been posted in several spots around the home including one at the front door.
Perhaps, however, Reese did not see them. According to authorities, he entered Vineyard's home through an air conditioning unit space.
Vineyard, who has somewhat of a controversial reputation in Oklahoma City for his politics and staunch support for gun rights, criticized Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty for pushing for stricter gun laws in 2011. He has also offered gun training sessions for his church members including children.
Source: christianpost.com
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