Teen Shooting Ruled Justifiable Homicide

Memphis, Tn - "Unfortunately, when you end up in a situation where only two people know what happened and one is dead, you're pretty much stuck with what the other says unless there's some physical evidence or other witnesses."

Tom Henderson with the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office hopes the right call was made in the death of 15 year old Cordova High School student Demario Burnett.

The person who shot Burnett has not yet been identified, but has been released from police custody.

The DA’s Office determined that the shooting was a justifiable homicide.

Last Thursday, Police responded to a shooting at Breezy Ridge Trail and found the teen collapsed on the lawn, suffering from a gunshot wound to the back. Investigators say he was participating in a robbery when it happened.

"Justifiable Homicide in Tennessee is one done in defense of self or others and in Tennessee you're authorized to use deadly force to defend yourself against deadly force," said Henderson.

When asked if a gunshot wound to the back was justifiable as self defense, Henderson responded, "There were multiple shots and determining the order of the shots in impossible. You can tell one shot is here, one shot is there, but you can't determine the order."

He ran, then turned, saw the gun, turned and ran, turned back again and still saw the gun so he turned and ran...

On and on. One does not need to take the chance that someone who is fleeing then not fleeing is going to sooner or later get the drop on you. Not saying this is what happened. Am saying that taking chances with  lowlife scum isn't the best way to remain on the green side of the grass.