Edwin Estrada, a 27-year-old Marine Corporal, was tragically shot and killed on November 19, 2017, in Wilmington, North Carolina. Estrada, originally from Los Angeles, was stationed with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464. He was in Wilmington on leave for the Marine Ball held that weekend. Estrada had been awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.
On the night of his death, Estrada was heavily intoxicated and had been visiting several bars in downtown Wilmington.
The incident occurred when Estrada, in his intoxicated state, knocked on the wrong door on North Front Street. The door belonged to Stephen Roger Hughes II, a former police officer and Navy veteran. Hughes, who was inside his residence working on his fish tank, heard a loud banging sound on the door of the rear entrance of the building. Believing someone was trying to kick in the back door, Hughes opened the door and found Estrada attempting to enter his home. Hughes grabbed his pistol from a shelf by the door and pointed it at Estrada, demanding him to leave. Estrada, however, did not comply and instead lunged at Hughes. In response, Hughes fired two shots, one of which entered Estrada's cheek and exited the back of his neck, while the second shot entered the back of Estrada's neck and went up into his head, ultimately killing him.
The District Attorney's office, led by Ben David, decided not to file charges against Hughes, citing North Carolina's Defense of Habitation Law, which allows the use of lethal force to defend a residence. According to the DA, Hughes' actions were consistent with a legal use of force under the state's self-defense laws. The case was formally closed, but several key questions remain unanswered. The Wilmington Police Department and military authorities conducted investigations into the incident, but no further legal actions were taken against Hughes. The tragic event serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of heavy intoxication and the complexities of self-defense laws.
