Police Release Shooting Suspect; Man Says He Was Defending Life & Property

   A man taken into custody for a fatal shooting has been released while Port Arthur Police investigate the man's contention he believed he was defending his life and property when he fired shots at two men, according to Lt. Troy LeBouef with the PAPD.

LeBouef says according to investigators, two men showed up at a home on Lexington Avenue and created a disturbance outside of the home.

They argued for several minutes, and according to Lt. LeBouef, the homeowner fired several shots through the rear windshield of a truck occupied by the two men just outside of the man's home in the 4000 block of Lexington.  The truck rolled and struck trees and stopped in the 3900 block of Lexington.

One was struck in the back of the head and prounounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Brad Burnett.

The second man was struck in the neck and pelvis.  He's in serious condition at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth.

Judge Burnett says it appears the shots came from a rifle.

Police are not yet releasing their names.

Police questioned the man who fired the shots and released him, but Lt. LeBouef says it's possible he could be arrested at a later date.

Major Raymond Clark says the man was released because investigators can't rule out self defense at this time.

He says the Department will gather evidence and present the case to the District Attorney's Office. 

It will likely go to a grand jury to consider whether to indict the man who fired the shots.

Police are trying to determine how the men knew each other, and what led to the argument.

Stay with KFDM News for the latest on the story.