Elderly homeowner shoots Tennessee lawyer in alleged home invasion
An elderly Georgia homeowner on Tuesday shot and wounded a Tennessee lawyer who entered the man’s home, threw plants at the man and his wife, and lunged at them, police say.
The lawyer, 29-year-old Matthew Jack Fitzharris of Chattanooga, was shot in the arm, report the Chattanooga Times Free Press and Northwest Georgia News. Charges against him include aggravated assault against the elderly, burglary and terroristic threats.
Police say Fitzharris entered the home in Catoosa County, Georgia, carrying a blanket and cursing, and he refused to leave when asked. The homeowners say they warned Fitzharris they would shoot him if he did not leave. He left but quickly returned, climbing the stairs to an apartment used by the couple’s niece and banging on the door, according to police. Next, police say, he threw the plants and other items from the upper deck, ran down the stairs, and tried to hit the couple.
The man, who is 84, once again warned Fitzharris he would be shot, and fired into the ground, according to police. When Fitzharris allegedly lunged, the homeowner fired the gun and shot Fitzharris in the arm.
Fitzharris is represented by lawyer McCracken Poston, who said his client was in Georgia for the car deal. “I don’t know the circumstances of his arrest yet,” Poston told the Times Free Press. “But I do think that a suspected psychological problem may be at play, and we’re hoping to get him help as soon as possible.”
