A Natchez man charged with aggravated assault for a Sunday morning shooting in Brookville Gardens was set free Monday night after the state determined the incident was self-defense.
In Starkville Municipal Court Monday evening, prosecutor Roy Carpenter cited the Castle Doctrine, which gives individuals the right to use deadly force to protect his or her residence, in dropping the aggravated assault charge against 28-year-old Demetrics Antuan Bridges.
After reviewing the circumstances of the case with the Starkville Police Department and district attorney”s office, the state decided the shooting “appears to be self defense,” Carpenter said.
Bridges was transported back to Clay County Jail Monday night to be discharged while his family shared tearful hugs in the hallway outside the courtroom. Only Bridges” mother, Cherry Davis, chose to comment.
“God is good,” she said through teary eyes.
Officers from the Starkville Police Department were dispatched to OCH Regional Medical Center Sunday at 6:23 a.m. to investigate the admittance of a gunshot victim. Upon arrival, officers determined the male victim had been shot once in the upper body with a .45-caliber pistol. He was in stable condition Monday, although police were not releasing his identity.
Police determined the shooting took place shortly after 6 a.m. at Brookville Gardens, unit 11C. Officers arrived at the location and spoke with Bridges, who was then escorted to the Starkville Police Department and charged.
Starkville Police Department Detective William Durr released few details about the shooting Monday or why the aggravated assault charge was dropped.
“We can”t comment any further on the case because the investigation into the circumstances is ongoing,” Durr said.
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