A chilling Ring camera video shows a man shoot and kill his daughter’s ex after he tried to break into their home.
The fatal shooting of 22-year-old James Rayl took place in Sydney, Ohio, USA on July 31.
He was trying to force his way into his ex-girlfriend’s house at the time, newly released doorbell video obtained by WHIO-TV 7 shows.
Rayl, wearing a cap, blue hoodie, grey t-shirt and shorts, rang the bell repeatedly at first.
He then opened the screen door and tried the handle, before throwing his weight against the door repeatedly even after the family inside told him to leave.
As he does, his ex’s father, Mitch Duckro, could reportedly be heard warning Rayl that he was armed. After he finally forced the door open Rayl seemingly turned around and had his back to Duckro when three gunshots can be heard ringing out.
The haunting camera footage then captures Rayl turning and trying to walk away even after he was shot.
Rayl flinches as he’s hit and stumbles down the stairs and path before he collapses in the front garden.
Several minutes then passed before neighbour Jeffery Hereford appeared in the frame, walking slowly across the Duckro’s front lawn and he is heard saying “Don’t shoot me”.
It took another eight minutes for local officers to arrive but by then Rayl was already dead.
Jeffrey called the family’s account into question and claimed that Rayl never entered the house.
He was the first to check on Rayl after the family refused the dispatcher’s response to do so.
“If he entered the house, why did he shoot through the door?” he asked.
Under the state’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws Duckro was acquitted against any charges as the grand jury voted 8-1 in his favour.
A later autopsy found he had suffered two gunshots to the shoulders and a third, fatal wound, to the back.
In a 911 emergency audio of a call about the incident obtained by WHIO-TV 7 a woman can be heard describing the intruder as her ex-boyfriend.
The station reported she said Rayl was trying to break down the door and she reportedly asked: “Dad, is he trying to kill me?”
Then, after the gunshots his daughter is reportedly heard saying: “Dad, there’s nothing you could have done. You saved my life.”
Earlier this month a jury at Shelby County court voted 8-1 against indicting Duckro on any charges related to Rayl’s killing.
They cited the state’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law which says that a homeowner does not have a legal duty to retreat from their home before firing a gun.
Rayl’s family have reacted with outrage to the news Duckro will avoid any repercussions for killing him.
His sister Jessica Colbert has raised questions about how her brother was shot in the back.
She has launched a campaign called #JusticeforJamesRayl and posted a number of times about the incident and jury decision.
Across her posts she called into question the current account of events and repeatedly alluded to knowing more - but never elaborated.
She said: “This family has no respect for human life, making fake profiles to say some disgusting comments that are just down right pathetic.
“Stacie talking about fearing for James's family wanting retaliation in her statement.
“Why would that even be a thought across your mind UNLESS you know what happened was wrong.
“You should absolutely be ashamed of your actions all around. Every single one of you connected to the Duckro family that has no regard for my family whatsoever.
“Mitch shot him in the back and killed him. And we know more than just that Mitchy. I hope your days are more miserable than they've ever been. You're a disgusting excuse of a human being along with your daughter.”
