A North Memphis restaurant owner who shot a naked alleged intruder discussed the fatal incident with a local news outlet Thursday.
The owner of Mr. Potato Head, who said she wishes to remain anonymous, shot the man Monday night, WREG reported. He allegedly forced his way into the establishment and closed the self-lock door behind him.
The alleged intruder grew angry when he couldn’t leave the building and began wreaking havoc on the property, jamming the double-door exit in the process, according to WREG. He allegedly physically assaulted the restaurant owner despite her holding a gun. (RELATED: Two Men Sentenced To Life After Killing 1-Year-Old In Drive-By Shooting)
Prelim Info: On Sept. 11, 2023, at approximately 11:02 p.m., officers responded to a shooting in the 1000 block of Hollywood. A male was taken to Methodist Univ. critical, where he later died. A female was detained. This is an ongoing investigation. Call (901) 528-TIPS w/info. pic.twitter.com/bQWiWVt31X
— Memphis Police Dept (@MEM_PoliceDept) September 12, 2023
“I was just afraid of his strength,” she told the outlet. “I’m pointing at him, asking him to calm down and stay away or get out of the store which the door was jammed, and he had no way out, so therefore I was between a rock and a hard place, and I just did what I had to do.”
She allegedly shot the man once as he began to charge her, and a second time when he made to throw a chair in her sister’s direction.
The owner called the police after the shooting. The alleged intruder was transported to Methodist University Critical Care Unit where he later died, according to a statement from the Memphis Police Department (MPD). The owner was detained in connection with the incident, but additional details about the shooting have not been disclosed.
“It’s just a scary sight, and I know that people are saying what they could’ve done, what they would’ve done, but until you’re in a situation, you never know what you will do, especially when the fear hits you,” the owner told WREG.
The restaurant owner said she never intended to kill anyone but acted out of fear for her and her family’s safety. Authorities have not yet identified the alleged intruder.
“I’m not a monster,” she continued. “I would never hurt anybody purposely. I just feared for my life and just did what I thought I was supposed to do. I didn’t want him to die or anything like that. I just didn’t wanna be the one my mom had to claim to identify.”
The restaurant and the MPD did not immediately respond to Daily Caller’s request for comment.