The Wise County Sheriff's Department says a homeowner in Rhome fatally shot a man trying to climb over his fence early Friday morning.
According to Sheriff David Walker, a homeowner on the 12800 block of Carpenter Lane said he woke at about 4 a.m. to someone banging on his door and ringing the door bell.
The homeowner went to the door only to find no one there, police said.
A short time later, the banging resumed and the man again found no one outside his door. The homeowner then went outside to investigate and found a man trying to climb the fence into his backyard.
The homeowner ordered the man to the ground and told him he was armed and that he was calling the police. A struggle between the two men began and the homeowner ended up shooting the man one time.
"[The subject] was trying to gain entry into the home, and [the homeowner] warned him, 'This is not your home, get on the ground, we're calling 911.' He refused to do so and continued to try and get in the home," according to Walker. "[Homeowner] made the statement that he was armed. He warned him that he was armed. He had family in his home and he was protecting them."
The homeowner told police he'd never seen the man before and that he had no idea who he was.
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Neighbors said the area where the shooting take place is typically quiet.
“I was concerned when I heard them say ‘home invasion’ because I have kids here,” said
Richard Carter, who lives near the shooting.
The Wise County Sheriff's Department identified the man as 31-year-old Spencer Crandall. Crandall, according to the report, lives down the street from where the shooting took place.
Police said Friday morning that Crandall may have been intoxicated and confused, but that his motive for trying to get into the home and yard is not yet confirmed.
“Whether he was intoxicated or not, who knows?” said Walker.
Court records show Crandall has previous charges for criminal trespassing and DWI.
The investigation into the fatal shooting is ongoing, though police said no charges are expected to be filed against the homeowner.
NBC 5's Jeff Smith and Johnny Archer contributed to this report.
