Police: Shooting victim is burglary suspect

Published 8:16 pm Thursday, March 12, 2020

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A shooting on Wednesday in the Oak Grove community may have been caused by nearby home burglary, according to police.

Troy Police Chief Randall Barr said officers responded to call about 4:53 p.m. Wednesday on County Road 1177 nearly County Road 1148, where they found a man in his mid-20s, suffering a single gunshot wound. The man was transported to a Montgomery hospital for treatment.

“After further investigation it was discovered that the victim was a suspect in a burglary that had occurred just minutes earlier in the area,” Barr said. “The suspect was confronted by the homeowner. Shots were fired by the homeowner with one round striking the suspect in the upper thigh.”

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Officers recovered a backpack containing firearms and other items taken during the burglary, all belonging to the homeowner. “All evidence was collected, including the weapon used by the homeowner,” Barr said.

The suspect and shooting victim is Ezedrick Dion Merritt, 25, of Troy. Barr said Merritt will be charged with burglary third degree and will be taken into custody once released from the hospital.

The homeowner has not been charged at this time, but the case will be presented to the Pike County Grand Jury at a later date, Barr said.

The case remains under investigation by the Troy Police Department and the Pike County District Attorneys Office.