MANSFIELD, La. (AP) - A man has been jailed on a second-degree murder charge in DeSoto Parish after shooting a suspected vandal in the back, authorities said Tuesday.
Northwest Louisiana media report that 34-year-old Cody Carl Parker of Mansfield was arrested in the Sunday night death of 50-year-old James Hewitt, also of Mansfield.
Mansfield Police Chief Gary Hobbs said Hewitt was shot with a .22-caliber rifle as he ran from Parker’s home.
Hobbs said Parker apparently heard the sound of his car’s headlights being knocked out. He picked up a rifle, stepped outside and fired. Hewitt was found lying in the street about a block away.
Hobbs said Hewitt was running away and posed no threat to Parker.
“If you’re inside your home and of course someone is trying to break into your house, and trying to get in there and cause harm to you or your family, you have the right to defend yourself,” said Hobbs. “If somebody presents themselves to you in an aggressive manner, and you fear for your safety and the potential for receiving a great bodily harm is there, then you absolutely have the right to respond with the level of force that would be necessary to prevent you from suffering injuries or death.”
Online records show Parker was being held Tuesday in the DeSoto Parish jail. There was no information on whether he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
Bond was set at $250,000.
Detectives are trying to determine if the two men knew each other. Hewitt had no criminal record.
The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office is taking the lead on the investigation because of a conflict with the MPD investigator and Parker; they are cousins.
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