A 22-year-old man was shot to death when he allegedly broke into the home of a disabled Vietnam veteran in Jasper County, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced Friday. No charges have been filed against the 69-year-old man, but officials said the shooting is still under investigation.
The investigation began around 9 p.m. when Jasper County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 294 Benton St. after getting a report that an intruder had entered the home and was shot by the resident, the GBI reported.
Investigators said Eddie Frank Smith, a Vietnam veteran who is confined to a wheelchair, heard the rear door breaking, and went to investigate the noise. They said Andre Smith (who has no known relationship to veteran) had forced his way into the home through a rear door.
Smith allegedly lunged toward the veteran who said he fired a single shot at the intruder, striking him in the chest. The wounded Smith then fled from the home, but collapsed on Benton Street about 100 yards from the house, agents said.
Neighbors saw the wounded man in the road, and called 911. Eddie Frank Smith also called 911 to report the incident, the GBI reported. Smith was transported to Jasper Memorial Hospital where he died later. There was no report that the 22-year-old was armed.
The GBI Crime Lab in Decatur, will be conducting the autopsy. Upon the completion of the investigation, the case file will be turned over to the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review, the GBI reported.