December 30th 2023.
Aleah Wallace, a 25-year-old mother from Texas, is facing an uncertain future after fatally shooting 14-year-old Devin Baker on the morning of December 14th. Wallace's house had already been targeted by burglars the previous day, and she heard Baker attempting to lift up the window of her daughter's bedroom at 3 a.m.
In response, Wallace fired a gun - one she had recently purchased to protect her family from multiple prior break-in attempts. Though remorseful for Baker's death, Wallace explained her reaction saying, "I had to think about my babies... I didn't know he was 14 when he was on the other side of that window. All I knew was that somebody could come in and hurt me or my kids."
Fort Worth police have not filed any charges against Wallace, however, she now faces eviction from her subsidized housing for owning a gun, despite there being no laws or signs prohibiting it. Wallace said, "The apartments called and told me that I was not supposed to have a gun at all... and I have 30 days to vacate." This eviction may make it difficult for her to find other housing.
The tragedy of this shooting is further highlighted through the words of Baker's mother, Latoiya Landers, who said that her son had dreamed of starting a clothing line. She stated, "He used to tell me, 'Mama, watch. I'm going to make something of myself.'"
Over 2,000 break-ins occurred in Fort Worth in 2023 and a Texas grand jury will review the shooting. No matter the outcome, this incident has brought to light complex legal and ethical issues surrounding self-defense, gun ownership, and protecting one's family.
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