A shooting death earlier this month at a residence along Richwood Drive in Mountain Home has been determined to be justified due to self-defense, following an investigation by the Mountain Home Police Department and the Arkansas State Police.
Mountain Home Police Chief Carry Manuel says the two agencies have completed their investigation into the July 4th shooting death of 34-year-old Paul James Assaf, and the 14th Judicial District Prosecutor’s Office made the determination based on the findings.
In his release, Chief Manuel says 79-year-old Paula Robins of Mountain Home stated she was in bed around 9:41 p.m. when she heard a loud noise and her dogs began barking. She heard someone in the hallway moving toward her bedroom. The subject entered her bedroom from the hallway and then entered the master bathroom. As the subject moved across the bedroom to the bathroom, she recognized him as her grandson and shouted, “Get out.”
She told the intruder she had a gun, and he reportedly said he also had a gun. Assaf, who did not live at the residence, was in the bathroom with his weapon pointed around the corner at Robins. They continued to speak, and then he charged into the bedroom toward her, telling her to put the gun down, and she was not going to shoot him. Chief Manuel says Robins saw Asaaf’s pistol and shot him once.
On arrival, officers found Assaf in the bedroom and without a pulse. Medical personnel arrived moments later. Assaf died at the scene, and the Baxter County Coroner’s Office was called to respond. A black semi-automatic handgun was found near Assaf and initially was believed to be a working weapon. However, closer examination revealed it to be a plastic BB handgun. Robins’ handgun, a .38 caliber revolver, was found on the dining room table. Officers found the back door to the residence had been “kicked in” allowing Assaf to enter the residence.
Chief Manuel says the relationship between Robins and Assaf had been deteriorating for some time due to the grandson’s behavior. Assaf’s aggressive behavior toward her caused Robins to fear for her life during the past several months.
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