Stand Your Ground

Homeowner Charged After Killing Cleaning Lady at Wrong House

Prosecutors in the US have charged a homeowner who fatally shot a cleaning crew member who mistakenly arrived at his home. The delay in charging was due to consideration of Indiana’s “stand your ground” law, but authorities determined the homeowner’s actions were not protected under it. The victim, Maria Florinda Rios Perez, was shot through the door, and the suspect did not call the police before opening fire. This incident echoes similar cases, such as the shooting of Ralph Yarl and Kaylin Gillis, highlighting the complexities of such laws.

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Indiana House Cleaner Fatally Shot: Stand Your Ground Laws, Racism, and Gun Culture Collide

Maria Florinda Rios Perez, a 32-year-old cleaning woman and mother of four, was fatally shot at the wrong house in Whitestown, Indiana, after mistakenly arriving at the wrong address. According to her brother, Rios, the victim was shot in the head while attempting to open the door with keys and died in her husband’s arms. The Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that the incident was isolated and the individuals were part of a cleaning crew. Police are investigating, and Boone County prosecutors will determine if a crime was committed, considering Indiana’s “stand your ground” laws.

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