Alex Stoops (Photo courtesy of Baxter County Sheriff’s Office)
A rural Mountain Home man was shot by the home owner after he broke into a home Saturday night. The suspect, 29-year-old Alex Payton Stoops, was treated and released at Baxter Health before being booked into the Baxter County Detention Center on seven charges related to the event.
According to the probable cause affidavit from the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, Stoops had knocked on the front door, but the homeowners did not recognize him, so they did not answer. A short time later, the man attempted to get through the back sliding door and broke the glass. Stoops allegedly entered the house and refused the leave, saying it was his house.
The male victim got into an altercation with Stoops and was pushed down, cutting his hands on the broken glass. His wife’s feet were also cut by the glass. Stoops then went outside and the man retrieved a .22 rifle and went outside and fired two warning shots into the air. But, Stoops followed him back inside. The homeowner then fired a single shot that struck Stoops in the shoulder and Stoops went back outside.
An investigator interviewed Stoops at the hospital and noted he was very intoxicated and did not know what happened to him.
Deputies interviewed a neighbor who said Stoops was staying with her and she believes he walked into the wrong house because they look similar.
Stoops is facing felony charges of residential burglary and criminal mischief. Misdemeanor charges include criminal mischief, criminal trespass, battery, assault and public intoxication. His bond is set at $50,000.
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