A Michigan man now faces multiple criminal charges after a fatal shooting during a garage break-in, sparking debate over the limits of self-defense under the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law.
The incident, which left 17-year-old Sivan Wilson dead, has reignited questions about how far homeowners can go to protect property and the surrounding community.
Authorities reported that Dayton Knapton, 24, of White Lake Township, was alerted by his home security system shortly after 1 a.m. on July 8 that a group of mainly teenagers had entered his detached garage.
Among them was Wilson, who later died from gunshot injuries.
Knapton, a legally registered gun owner, retrieved his 9mm semiautomatic handgun and fired two shots through the windowless, locked garage door as the teens attempted to flee.
Prosecutors allege he then reloaded inside his home before returning to fire additional rounds.
Another teenager was struck in the leg but survived, Local 4 reports.
On Nov. 7, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announced that Knapton faces charges including manslaughter, assault with intent to cause great bodily harm and two counts of felony firearm.
If convicted, he could serve nearly 30 years in prison.
McDonald emphasized the responsibilities that accompany firearm ownership.
“The rights to own firearms and protect one’s family and home are fundamental. Those important rights also come with profound responsibility,” she said. “We believe the evidence demonstrates this defendant crossed the line by firing outside his home at fleeing persons.”
“His actions not only took a life but potentially endangered the surrounding community by firing his weapon into the night.”
Knapton pleaded not guilty and was released on a $200,000 cash bond.
His attorney, Dov Lustig, defended his client, arguing the shooting was justified under self-defense.
Lustig highlighted that Knapton’s home had been targeted in prior break-ins, prompting him to enhance security following police guidance.
“This is a case of stone self-defense,” Lustig said.
Wilson’s family has criticized the charges, arguing they do not reflect the severity of the incident.
“It doesn’t make sense that it wasn’t done out of malice and for them to charge him with manslaughter when everything in the report suggests that it was malicious intent,” said Wilson’s sister, Armani Madden.
Shawn Madden, the teen’s father, added, “Sivan was running away and got shot.”
Michigan law permits residents to use deadly force to protect themselves or others from imminent harm in their home, provided they hold an “honest and reasonable belief” of danger.
The New York Post reports that investigators are now focused on two central questions: whether Knapton realized the teens were attempting to flee, and whether Wilson was hit during Knapton’s initial act of self-defense or in the moments that followed.
Four minors and a 21-year-old accomplice connected to the break-in have been charged with breaking and entering. Authorities said the group allegedly attempted to steal property, including dirt bikes stored in Knapton’s garage.
The case has divided legal experts and residents.
Some defend Knapton as a homeowner exercising his right to protect property and family, while others view the shooting as an avoidable escalation with tragic consequences.
Observers note that the outcome could set a significant precedent for the application of Michigan’s “Stand Your Ground” law, highlighting the tension between property rights, public safety and the limits of self-defense.
The incident has also sparked broader community discussion about the responsible use of firearms during home invasions and the potential risks of firing at fleeing intruders.
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