WOODLAND HILLS : Neighbor’s Killing Called Self-Defense
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A Woodland Hills man arrested in the death of a neighbor who threatened him and broke into his house was released after prosecutors ruled he acted in self-defense, authorities said Friday.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert P. Imerman declined to file a murder charge against Dean William Perkins, 31, in the shooting death Tuesday of his neighbor, Kevin Cooper, 25.
Imerman said Perkins acted in self-defense when he shot Cooper, who had been drinking and threatening him.
Los Angeles police said Cooper and Perkins had been drinking on Perkins’ front porch when a dispute erupted and Cooper was ordered off the property.
Police said Cooper then repeatedly attempted to break into Perkins’ house.
Perkins twice called police, armed himself with a rifle and fired a warning shot into the air before shooting Cooper after he broke into the house.
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