Knox Co. homeowner shoots would-be burglar

Knox Co. homeowner shoots would-be burglar

By ANN KEIL
6 News Reporter

KNOX COUNTY (WATE) -- A 63-year-old man took matters into his own hands when two men tried to break in his South Knox County home late Sunday night.

The homeowner, Horace Garland, says they suspects didn't get very far inside his home. "I heard them. They were hollering or something when they were coming onto the porch."

He says he even warned the men that he had a gun. "I guess they didn't believe me or something."

Garland says he jumped out of bed, dove behind his bedroom wall and was ready with his pistol when the men came inside.

"I shot one of them, and the other, he stayed around there and he hollered, 'Quit shooting!' and I let him come in and get him," Garland says.

He shot Jeremy Johnson, 21, in the neck.

The other man was Johnson's step-brother, Timothy Lee Sellers, 26.

"He was the one sticking the gun around the side and shooting," Garland says. "He shot through the wall there at me."

Garland's girlfriend was also in the room. "I shook for two hours... she was the same way. We're too old for this stuff."

When asked if he'd do it again, Garland says he would in a heartbeat. "I didn't mind it a bit or until it was over. I'm glad I didn't kill him."

Garland says he's still shaken up, and he doesn't know who either of the men are who broke in his home or what they were looking for. He's only lived in his neighborhood for about a month.

Both suspects confessed to the break-in and are charged with aggravated burglary and attempted aggravated robbery.

Garland won't face any charges since detectives say he acted in self-defense.