DA: Homeowner Who Shot, Killed Armed Home Invader Was Justified

The fatal shooting of an alleged home invader was justified, according to Montgomery County investigators. The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office came to the conclusion following a week-long investigation of the shooting death of 22-year-old Daryl Marquis Evans.

According to investigators, on July 28 around 1 a.m., Evans broke into a home on the 1100 block of Willow Street in Norristown.

Police say the 29-year-old homeowner heard Evans knocking at his door. The man then walked down from the second floor, carrying his registered .40 caliber Smith & Wesson, semi-automatic handgun inside his right waistband.

When he opened the door, he was met by Evans who was allegedly carrying his own weapon, a Taurus PT 911, 9mm caliber pistol, in his right hand. Investigators say Evans entered the home with his gun drawn while asking, “Who’s in the house” and “Where’s the s*%$.”

After the homeowner claimed that no one was in the house, Evans allegedly entered the living room while pointing his gun at the homeowner’s chest. Police say the homeowner then pulled out his weapon from beneath his shirt and fired six shots, striking Evans in the chest, pelvis and leg. The homeowner then called 911 and police officers arrived a short time later. Evans was later pronounced dead at the scene.

After investigating, officials determined that Evans fired one shot while inside the home and that the homeowner was justified in his actions.

“The resident acted reasonably and with proper justification when he lawfully stood his ground in his home and used deadly force against Daryl Marquis Evans during his invasion of the residence,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman. “This District Attorney’s Office will take no further action in this matter. The laws of our Commonwealth provide that citizens of our community may stand their ground and defend themselves inside their homes.  Faced with an armed intruder who illegally entered his home, the resident was justified in using deadly force to protect himself.”

According to court records, Evans was a convicted felon and wanted on warrants from the Montgomery County Court at the time of the shooting. Evans had prior convictions for aggravated assault and was sentenced on those charges to 20 to 40 months in a State Correctional Institution. He was also charged in three separate cases which involved accusations of robbery, possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver.

 

Contact Us