JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - After nearly two weeks of investigation by the Jacksonville Police Department into an attempted burglary that left two men dead, Onslow County District Attorney Ernie Lee announced this morning that charges will not be filed against the shooters.
Until Friday, the circumstances surrounding the shooting that killed Diego Everette and Maurice Skinner during a burglary attempt at 107 Country Club Drive were cloudy at best.
Now, with the investigation complete, Onlsow County District Attorney, Ernie Lee detailed the events.
The two men were shot during an attempted burglary of the house, after being surprised by the residents, as they returned home. The burglars held them at gun point and threatened to kill them.
According to Lee, the Marine grabbed for the gun when Skinner looked away and a struggle for the weapon followed.
"The Marine resident was able to kick Skinner and free the shotgun from Skinner's grip. Skinner came at the Marine resident who was on the floor and the Marine resident two times.
The Marine resident then found Everette struggling with another Marine who was a guest in the home and shot Everette once in the rear end.
The whole altercation happened within 15 minutes, Jacksonville Police arrived on the scene at 1:55 am to find Skinner and Everette dead in the home.
Lee says the shooting of Everette and Skinner falls under North Carolina statute 14-51.2, commonly referred to as the castle doctrine.
"Based upon my review of the facts of this case, the occupants of the residence were justified in using deadly force against both everette and skinner because the actions of everette and skinner caused the occupants to reasonably believe it necessary to use deadly force to protect their lives."
The two Camp Lejeune Marines and one civilian of 107 sustained substantial injuries during the attack. lee says they were lucky to survive.
"The three occupants are fortunate that they did not suffer even greater serious injury or death. The actions of these three individuals in defending themselves may very well have saved their lives."
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JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - After nearly two weeks of investigation by the Jacksonville Police Department into an attempted burglary that left two men dead, Onslow County District Attorney Ernie Lee announced this morning that charges will not be filed against the shooters.
Lee says back on April 15th, 33 year olds Diego Everette and Maurice Skinner attempted to rob the house at 107 Country Club Drive in Jacksonville.
The three men living there returned home during the robbery and struggled with Everette and Skinner over a shotgun that the two "would be burglars" found in the house.
During the struggle one of the residents who is a marine stationed at Camp Lejeune recovered the shotgun and shot both men.
Lee says the shooting was justified, “Based upon my review of the facts of this case, the occupants of the residence were justified in using deadly force against both Everette and Skinner because the actions of Everette and Skinner caused the occupants to reasonably believe it necessary to use deadly force to protect their lives."
Lee says he will not release the names of the Marine and civilian residents of the house or the marine guest who was with them during the incident.
A JPD investigation of the shooting also revealed that Everette and Skinner were responsible for two car break-ins on Country Club Drive right before that attempted burglary.