Clermont County Press Conference

Prosecutor announces no charges in deadly Mason shooting

The prosecutor's office says the homeowner was justified in shooting a man who broke into his home early Sunday morning

Clermont County Prosecutor Vince Faris announced Monday that his office will not file charges in the deadly shooting of a man who broke into a Mason home early Sunday morning.

Faris said the homeowner, 43-year-old Steven Anderson, was justified in shooting 31-year-old Brandon Douglas because Douglas was posing an immediate threat to Anderson and his family.

According to Faris, Douglas broke into Anderson's home on Parkview Drive just after 2 a.m. Sunday. Anderson's wife and two children were also home at the time.

Anderson told investigators that he heard a noise in his kitchen and went to investigate. He saw Douglas standing in the kitchen with a knife in his hand.

Anderson said he ordered Douglas to drop the knife, but Douglas refused. Anderson then fired one shot, striking Douglas in the chest.

Douglas was pronounced dead at the scene.

Faris said his office's investigation found that Anderson was justified in using deadly force because he had a reasonable belief that Douglas posed an immediate threat to himself and his family.

"The homeowner was within his rights to defend himself and his family from an intruder who posed an imminent threat," Faris said.

Anderson has not been charged with any crime.