PRESS RELEASE
On 02/26/2023, Sheriff's Office Communications received a report of a shooting that occurred at 2655 Loafers Rest Road, in the Austinsville section of Carroll County.
Deputies arrived on the scene and found a female with a gunshot wound to the leg. EMS personnel arrived on scene and transported the female.
During the course of the investigation, deputies determined that the shooting was the result of a breaking and entering.
The homeowner, who heard a noise at the rear area of the home, went to the kitchen and observed an unclothed female, who was unknown to the homeowner, coming into the rear door at which time began hitting the homeowner with a cast iron fry pan in the head and hand before getting her out of the house and securing the door. The female at this time was on the back porch of the home, and began turning all the electrical breakers off to the home and started beating on the kitchen window while yelling at the homeowner to get out of her house or she was going to kill him. The female then began beating on the same door in which she had already made entry previously, at which time the homeowner discharged his firearm, striking the female in the lower leg area.
The female was identified as Paula Michelle Locklear, 35, of Austinsville. Locklear, who was later treated and released, was charged with Felony Breaking and Entering an occupied home while armed with a deadly weapon, Assault and Battery, and Damage Property. Locklear was held without bond pending arraignment in Carroll County General District Court.
No charges will be filed on the homeowner, after consulting with the Carroll County Commonwealth Attorney Roger Brooks, the shooting was justified as self-defense.