North Carolina man faces charges for protecting himself during home invasion
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- A handgun may have saved Harold Williams' life, but it could also send him to prison.
"I feel justified," Williams said. "If I had it to do over again, I would do it the same way".
Williams, who is a convicted felon, is now charged with possessing a firearm. He said he used it against a couple of armed robbers who stormed in through the front door of his home last week and kicked open the bedroom door.
"They kicked in my bedroom door," said Williams. "One took a low stance. One took a high stance. Both were armed and wearing masks. I grabbed the gun and did what I can do."
Williams wounded both robbers. Police found one of the men In Williams' front yard where he crawled out of the house after being shot. The second suspect fled but later showed up at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.
Police have charged Roy Hawk and Martize Douglass with robbery, breaking and entering, and conspiracy. Both men were treated for gunshot wounds.
The incident happened last Friday afternoon. Williams said he shot the two men with his roommate's handgun.
"My roommate had just stepped in [the bedroom] and asked me a question about his gun", said Williams. "When he walked out he left if on the bed. Thank God he did!"
Williams believes the two men were trying to rob him. However, because North Carolina Law prohibits a felon from owning or using a firearm, police charged Williams with possessing a firearm by a felon. It's a charge that could send him to prison.
Williams says his felony charge was for possessing stolen property in 1989.
Without that firearm, Williams said he is convinced he would have been shot, even killed, by the intruders.
"I am in my own home. I just got out of bed. That's the only reaction I had," said Williams. "If I had to do it over again, I would not have changed a thing."
Williams is free on an unsecured bond. He said his first court appearance is Monday.
