Eatonton homeowner shoots knife-wielding intruder, sheriff says

Hunter Harrison

Credit: Putnam County Sheriff's Office

Credit: Putnam County Sheriff's Office

Hunter Harrison

A home invasion suspect armed with a knife was shot Tuesday evening after breaking into an Eatonton home, authorities said.

Deputies were dispatched to a home on Thomas Drive about 11:30 p.m. after receiving a call about a man in a tree with a knife, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said.

While deputies were en route, 911 operators received another call from the house next door saying the suspect was trying to force his way inside.

Sills said the man, 28-year-old Hunter Layne Harrison of Eatonton, threw a brick through a glass porch window before trying to enter through a set of French doors.

The homeowner grabbed his pistol and warned the alleged intruder to leave, but Harrison broke a second window with a barbell and entered  the house, Sills confirmed.

The homeowner fired his handgun once, striking Harrison in the arm before grabbing his family and barricading everyone inside a bedroom, authorities said.

Deputies arrived to find Harrison flailing around and bleeding on the kitchen floor. After fighting with deputies, he was able to run out of the door before falling 8 or 9 feet off an unfinished deck, Sills said.

He was arrested and taken to Navicent Medical Center in Macon. Once he is discharged, Harrison will be booked on charges of home invasion, burglary, disorderly conduct and four counts of felony obstruction of a law enforcement officer, authorities said.

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