Local

Alleged burglar shot in home invasion out of hospital

WALTON COUNTY, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News has learned that a man who was shot by a woman while breaking into her home is out of the hospital and back in the Walton County jail.

Investigators said Paul Slater, 32, made a clear choice when he broke into a woman's home Jan. 4 and found a mother and 9-year-old twins inside.

"He definitely had a choice at that point to turn and leave and he chose not to," Walton County Sherriff Joe Chapman told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh.

Kavanaugh requested Slater's arrest warrants, which said he came back with a crowbar, broke down three doors and found the family hiding in an attic crawl space.

What happened next on Henderson Ridge Drive grabbed national headlines.

The mother was on the phone with her husband who made the call to 911. Deputies said she shot Slater five times. Yet, Slater managed to get out of the home.

He drove off, but crashed up the road, collapsing in a neighbor's yard. On Monday, Kavanaugh learned Slater made a full recovery.

"A lot of people are surprised," Walton County Sheriff Joe Chapman said.

Chapman said deputies booked him into the Walton County jail Sunday night. He faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault.

"I speak to my neighbors more often. We text back and forth, we have a texting system basically," said neighbor Mandy Grimes.

Grimes said her community is getting over the shock of what happened.

She said the incident spurred a new neighborhood philosophy.

"Basically just take up for everybody and watch their back," Grimes said.

Kavanaugh has been in contact with the family since this incident happened. They still don't want to speak publicly about what transpired inside their home. They did want to express their gratitude and appreciation for the Walton sheriff's office.

http://bcove.me/vq6woqdu