News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A Monterey homeowner took matters into his own hands Thursday night when he shot and wounded a man who attacked him.
Monterey Police Lieutenant Michael Phillips said the incident happened around 10:00 p.m. at a home on Reed Place when homeowner Kip Powell opened fire on 36-year-old Matt Lane.
“It is a clear-cut case of self-defense and having the right to protect ones self and ones property,” Phillips said.
Phillips said Lane came to the home looking for an unidentified female inside the residence. According to Lieutenant Phillips, Powell asked Lane to leave the property, but he refused and allegedly threatened to burn the house down.
“At that time, being in fear for him and his girlfriend’s safety, Mr. Powell opens the door and says, ‘leave, I have a gun and I will protect myself if I have to,’ Phillips said. “At that time, Matt Lane actually lunges at Powell and they get into a scuffle.”
Lane suffered a gunshot wound to the arm and a laceration to the back of the head during the scuffle with Reed. Matt Lane received treatment at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.
Phillips said Lane has a long history of drug use, which likely fueled the Thursday night incident.
“We hate that an incident like this occurred, but it just goes to show what drug usage can do to your mind and how it affects people,” Phillips said. “With that being said, it still doesn’t give any person the right to go onto somebody’s property, make threats, and get away with it.”
Charges against Lane are pending an investigation by the Monterey Police Department and District Attorneys Office. 53-year-old Kip Powell was not charged.
Phillips said officers responded to the incident after a Lane came to a home on South Poplar Street. The owner of the South Poplar home had contacted 911 to say Lane had showed up to the home with several wounds. Phillips said Lane walked to the home after the shooting occurred at the residence on Reed Place.
