No charges have been filed in a shooting incident last weekend in Ozark County. A news release from the Ozark County Sheriff's Office says the Castle Doctrine may apply to the situation in which an unnamed individual shot 41-year-old Shaine Merriman of Theodosia, reportedly after firing a warning shot and repeatedly asking him to leave a residence in Isabella.

Chief Deputy Darrin Reed says the incident occurred the evening of March 6th at the residence of Brandon Evans in Isabella. When deputies arrived, they discovered Merriman had been shot once with a 38-caliber revolver in the lower chest area. Prior to the incident, an argument occurred on the phone between Merriman and the shooter.

Reed says the shooter was assaulted when Merriman showed up to the home, and asked him to leave several times before firing a warning shot and eventually shooting him. The shooter told authorities he was in fear for his life when he fired the shot at Merriman. Reed says the investigation is ongoing, but no charges have been filed.

The Castle Doctrine states a person may use physical force when they believe such force is necessary to defend themselves from an imminent threat.