A Marine has been arrested and faces possible life in prison after he shot at an armed man who was trying to break into his home.
Now the Marine’s father is speaking out.
Joey Nelson, who lives in Westland, in the Detroit-area, was with his fiancee, their 3-week-old son, and a couple of friends when they heard banging on his front door.
“My son was where he was supposed to be—inside his home with his legally owned firearm,” Steve Nelson said.
The younger Nelson grabbed his firearm but first opened the door yelled for the intruder, later named as 39-year-old Michael Wilson of Detroit, to get off his property.
That’s when Wilson produced a gun and started shooting, Steve Nelson said. His son, who was shot in the hip, called 911, the family says.
Joey Nelson fired back at Wilson, who fled when the police officers arrived.
“This gentleman was not here for coffee,” Steve responded after Fox 2 noted the numerous bullets holes in the home.
Wilson was later arrested—but so was Nelson.
The intruder was only charged with carrying a concealed weapon, a felony that has a maximum punishment of five years in prison.
“I don’t know (who he is); my son doesn’t know him; the owner of the home doesn’t know him,” says Steve.
“He should be hailed a hero for defending his family,” the father told Fox.
“This man out here in the front yard fired multiple shots into a house with multiple people inside and a 3-week-old baby,” Steve said. “And he’s (only) charged with concealing a weapon illegally?”
So far, over $11,000 has been raised towards the $20,000 goal.
