On January 21, 2007, 15-year-old Damien Clary was fatally shot during an attempted home invasion in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to police reports, Clary and a group of young men approached a residence on Night Breeze Drive, near Vegas and Buffalo. After ringing the doorbell without receiving a response, they proceeded to the back of the house and attempted to break in through a window.
The homeowner, upon noticing the intrusion, fired multiple shots through the window, striking Clary in the head. Clary succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement apprehended 20-year-old Matthew Carpenter, who was found nearby and identified as one of Clary's accomplices. Carpenter faced several charges, including attempted burglary. At that time, the homeowner was not arrested, as preliminary findings suggested he acted in self-defense. The case was forwarded to the district attorney's office to determine if any negligence occurred on the homeowner's part.
The incident highlighted the risks associated with attempted burglaries and the potential for fatal outcomes when homeowners take defensive actions. The legal considerations surrounding self-defense and property protection were central to the ensuing investigation. The district attorney's review would have focused on whether the homeowner had a reasonable fear for his life, a key factor in determining the justification for the use of lethal force under Nevada law.
