This caper is a big ole mess.
Occam’s razor insist that we use the simplest assumptions in the absence of hard data. Here’s my attempt:
The decedent was as high as a kite at the time she contacted the homeowner. (Basis: traffic collision with a parked car at 1:30 am, then leaving the scene). Like many people under the influence, she was a bit of a pain in the ass when she knocked on this guy’s door an hour and a half later. And maybe more than a little bit scary. (Front for a home invasion robbery? etc.)
The homeowner, understandably defensive at that hour and in Detroit, Michigan of all places, goes to check out the noise. He has his finger on the trigger for whatever reason...poor discipline certainly, bad training possibly, just due to the hour and waking from a sound sleep understandably. He goes out to check out the commotion, the female does something to startle him, and he reflexively contracts the muscles in his had. Gun goes off with predictable results.
Homeowner, horrified at the dead female at his feet, calls 911 and barfs all over himself.
“Family” calls ambulance chasing lawyer, and the rest is the stories we see in the media.
That is a cogent, rational explanation which appears well-grounded in reality. And I’m not just saying that because I was going to write a very similar post.
Unfortunately, the woman had nobody in her life that cared enough to accompany her when she was in that condition. Just a lost soul exposed to her own weaknesses.
Thanks for your explanation. Sad.
The time (01:30) is about the time most stragglers are on the road from closing down bars, at least in states which mandate closing time of 1 AM. I am not sure if Michigan or the municipality have that statutory requirement, as is the case in ND and other states.
Second, and more important point:
When someone is responding to stimuli like someone pounding on the door at 04:30, they are going to have some sort of adrenalin reaction. Hearing upset or angry sounding voices on the other side of the door will only enhance that. It doesn't take much squeeze to discharge a firearm under those circumstances. This is where the habit of keeping one's finger off the trigger until one is ready to shoot is critical in preventing an unintentional discharge. Good training, good discipline with a firearm can prevent undesirable outcomes.