In the early morning hours of a late January day in Southgate, Michigan, the quiet of a neighborhood was broken by a fatal encounter. Nineteen-year-old James Clickard, a male, died on January 29, 2015, after being shot inside a home on Flanders Street. The incident unfolded around 5 a.m. when Clickard, who had been staying at a house next door, allegedly broke into his neighbors' residence.
The homeowners, a 74-year-old man and his wife, were asleep when they were awakened by the sound
of an intruder. The husband, who legally owned a firearm, armed himself and went to investigate the noise. In a confrontation that followed, the homeowner discovered what police described as an armed intruder. According to authorities, Clickard pointed a gun at the homeowner, who then fired his own weapon, striking and killing the young man. James Clickard was pronounced dead at the scene.
Subsequent investigation by the Southgate Police Department, with assistance from the Michigan State Police, revealed that the firearm in Clickard's possession had been reported stolen in a previous home invasion in Taylor. At the time of the shooting, police believe Clickard was in the process of stealing prescription medication and electronics from the home. While authorities publicly stated their belief that the shooting appeared to be justified, the case was turned over to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office for a final determination. There have been no public reports of any arrests or charges being filed against the homeowner in connection with the shooting.
