A man from Memphis has been charged with seven felonies after he reportedly shot at a teenager attempting to steal his car, claiming self-defense.
Demarcus Collier, 27, allegedly fired at least nine shots when the young would-be burglar acted as if he was armed, as reported by Action News 5, a local TV station. Some bullets hit a room occupied by children and another vehicle, leading to charges of aggravated assault and vandalism, according to Action 5 News.
Not the first time I’ve seen this out of Memphis:
A legal gun owner faces 7 felony charges after an armed confrontation with a car thief.
The felonies technically aren’t for shooting the thief.
They’re for shooting at the thief – and missing. https://t.co/CCj1H1t5eH
— Amy Swearer (@AmySwearer) September 22, 2026
Attorney Michael Working commented on the situation, explaining that police assess whether someone acted intentionally and whether that action instilled fear in others. “In Tennessee, this can lead to aggravated assault charges. That says a lot about the situation when a bullet goes through a wall where someone could be injured. It’s a different question from whether the homeowner believed he was in danger,” he told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
According to investigators, Collier noticed the suspect on his security camera breaking into his vehicle. His family was taken aback by these legal charges.
“He’s a hardworking family man, just trying to do the right thing,” said Collier’s great-uncle to Action News 5. “He reacted like any reasonable person would, you know? It could have turned out far worse.”
Tennessee’s Castle Doctrine suggests that individuals believe they are facing imminent danger if they use deadly force against someone who unlawfully enters their property. Working noted that more legislative changes are necessary.
“Tennessee has a significant Republican majority in the Legislature, yet the law still seems to favor the victim’s perspective, overlooking the gun owner’s situation,” he remarked.
Massad Ayoob, president of the Second Amendment Foundation and an expert in self-defense, emphasized the need for more details regarding this particular incident.
“If shots were fired responsibly, they should be treated as if they hit the intended target,” Ayoob explained. “However, if there’s evidence showing reckless shooting, like video of him aiming wildly, then we might see elements of negligence.”
