A 25-year-old Texas mother, Aleah Wallace, is facing eviction after fatally shooting a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly attempting to break into her home. Wallace, a mother of four, was in her living room when she heard noises coming from her daughter’s bedroom window around 3 a.m. on December 14. The intruder was identified as Devin Baker, a fellow resident of the same apartment complex.
Wallace recounted the incident, stating that she saw Baker trying to lift the window. Fearing for her family’s safety, she fired her gun. This incident marked the second burglary attempt on Wallace’s home within a 24-hour span. The targeted window was that of Wallace’s 8-year-old daughter’s room.
Baker, who was attempting to enter the house, was pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple gunshot wounds. Wallace and her four daughters are now facing eviction following the incident. Despite the tragic circumstances, Fort Worth police have not pressed any charges against Wallace, acknowledging her right to protect her family.
Wallace had recently acquired a firearm due to a series of attempted burglaries at her home. She expressed her remorse over the incident, stating that she was unaware of the intruder’s age at the time of the shooting. Her primary concern was the safety of her children.
Despite her actions being in self-defense, Wallace received notice of eviction from her subsidized housing due to her possession of a firearm. She was informed that she was not allowed to own a gun, despite her previous pleas to the apartment management about the break-ins. She now has 30 days to vacate her home.
There are no laws or posted signs prohibiting residents of government-subsidized housing from owning guns. Wallace is concerned that the eviction could hinder her chances of finding new housing.
Baker’s mother, Latoiya Landers, described her son as a good kid with aspirations of starting a clothing line. The case is expected to go before a Texas grand jury. According to the Fort Worth Police Department, the area has seen over 2,000 break-ins since the start of 2023.