Gaffney, S.C. -
The Cherokee County Sheriff says no charges will be filed against a homeowner following the death of a volunteer firefighter.
Sheriff Steve Mueller tells 7 On Your Side no charges will be filed in the death of Joshua Lee McAbee, 28, who died last September.
The Cherokee County Coroner says McAbee was driving a pickup truck on Corinth Road early that morning when he went off the pavement and collided with a trailer.
Sheriff Mueller says the homeowner thought McAbee was trying to steal from the home and a fight started. The homeowner grabbed a cinder block and hit McAbee in the head during the struggle.
The coroner says McAbee died at the scene. McAbee was a firefighter with the Corinth Fire Department.
The death was investigated as a homicide, but Sheriff Mueller confirms to 7 On Your Side the homeowner won't be charged under South Carolina's "castle doctrine" and "stand your ground" laws.
The State Law Enforcement Division says the "castle doctrine" authorizes the lawful use of deadly force under certain circumstances against an intruder or attacker in a person's dwelling, residence or occupied vehicle.
