Muskogee Man Shaken After Killing Burglary Suspect

Muskogee Police said suspect who died has been identified as Joshua Salyer, 40, of Muskogee.

Monday, March 31st 2014, 5:59 pm

By: News On 6


Muskogee Police are still looking for two men who tried to rob people inside a house late Saturday night; a neighbor shot and killed the third suspect.

Kyle Ford said the men were threatening him and he had no choice but to fire his gun.

Muskogee Police say it looks like Ford clearly acted in self-defense and a criminal defense attorney we spoke with said Oklahoma law protects anyone who feels their life is in danger.

"If I would not have had my gun I don't believe that I would be here today to tell you the story about it," Ford said.

Ford said he was scared for his life Saturday night.

Muskogee Police said suspect who died has been identified as Joshua Salyer, 40, of Muskogee.

Police said three men forced their way into his neighbor's home and tried to rob it. The neighbor ran to Ford for help and he came out with a gun.

3/30/2014 Related Story: Neighbor Shoots Suspect In Muskogee Burglary

Ford said the three men threatened him and stepped towards him, that's when he fired his gun.

"He was literally a foot from me was when I shot him," said Ford.

The 911 call shows Ford called police immediately after firing the shot. He told the dispatcher where the men had run to and that he had taken the bullets out of the gun and put it away.

"I'm not armed or nothing. I've put it up. Hadn't been drinking, nothing like that," Ford told the dispatcher. "Three guys just tried to jump me in my yard."

Criminal Defense Attorney, Jill Webb, said, "Oklahoma does have a stand your ground law."

She said Oklahoma's law is based on the theory that you don't have responsibility to retreat. It applies, she said, both inside your home and on your own property.

"If you're not committing a crime, and if you're where you have a legal purpose to be, if then someone comes at you as an aggressor, then you have the right to stand your ground and you can meet force with force," said Webb.

Ford said he's still shaken up over the incident but believes deep down he did the right thing.

"No one ever wants to have to shoot someone but I've always believed that you have to take care of your family and you have to take care of yourself," Ford said.

The district attorney will decide whether any charges should be filed.

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