Staff Reports
A woman in North Carolina who was involved in a deadly shooting at a Food Lion parking lot will not face charges. The incident occurred on Wednesday when Steven McLamb, 49, was shot and killed. However, no charges were filed against the anonymous female shooter on that day or the following day. Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman stated that the decision not to charge her was influenced by various videos available to the police.
According to Freeman, McLamb was the aggressor in the situation. He followed the woman into the parking lot, approached her car, and attempted to get inside. Acting in self-defense, the woman shot and killed him. It was also confirmed that she legally owned the gun and had no criminal record.
Woman acting in 'self-defense' won't be charged for fatal parking lot shooting https://t.co/AxzwcXGkPL
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 6, 2023
While the case highlights the importance of self-defense, it is not an endorsement of vigilante justice. Freeman emphasized that the law allows individuals to protect themselves when they have a genuine fear of imminent bodily harm or death.
This incident in North Carolina comes amidst a rise in gun-related murders in the state. In 2021, there were over 760 such murders, representing a 20% increase from the previous year. Consequently, the police made 642 murder-related arrests, marking a 15% rise. North Carolina is one of nearly 30 states that have Stand Your Ground Laws, granting individuals the right to defend themselves, even with force, when they believe their lives are in danger.
