An Indiana homeowner, Martell Pickens, 30, has been charged with reckless homicide following the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Khadolphee Taylor outside his Fort Wayne home on May 7. According to the Allen Superior Court, Pickens allegedly shot Taylor, who was unarmed, while he was reportedly attempting to break into cars in the neighborhood.
Pickens informed Fort Wayne police that he was awakened around 2:45 a.m. to find a 'suspicious' man in the area. Surveillance footage from Pickens' home reportedly captured Taylor attempting to enter the residence, prompting Pickens to confront him while armed with a Glock .45 caliber handgun. A neighbor had called 911 to report the situation around the same time.
Footage revealed that Pickens asked Taylor what he was doing and warned him to back up before shooting him as Taylor allegedly advanced towards him. Police found Taylor with a single gunshot wound to the chest, and he was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Pickens admitted to shooting Taylor and acknowledged that Taylor was unarmed and appeared to be under the influence at the time. Investigators discovered that approximately 20 minutes prior to the shooting, police had stopped Taylor for driving with a suspended license and noted signs of intoxication or mental impairment.
Fort Wayne Police Detective Brian Martin stated in the affidavit that Pickens armed himself and left the safety of his home to confront Taylor, leading to the shooting. Martin indicated that there was probable cause to believe Pickens acted with a conscious disregard for human life.
Pickens was arrested and booked into the Allen County Jail, where he is being held without bond. If convicted of reckless homicide, he faces a prison sentence of one to six years and a fine of up to $10,000. Indiana's 'stand your ground' law allows for the use of deadly force if a homeowner believes it is necessary for self-defense on their property.