December 30, 2023
The incident came about after Aleah Wallace’s house had already been targeted by burglars less than 24 hours earlier.
Aleah Wallace, a 25-year-old Texas mother of four, fatally shot a 14-year-old boy named Devin Baker when he tried breaking into her daughter’s bedroom window on Dec. 14. The incident came about after Wallace’s house had already been targeted by burglars less than 24 hours earlier, according to The New York Post. Baker died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.
Wallace said she heard Baker attempting to lift up the window at around 3 a.m. The mother said she immediately fired a gun, that she had recently purchased to protect her family. Wallace also said that she made the purchase after multiple prior break-in attempts.
Though remorseful that Baker was only 14 years of age, Wallace stated, “I had to think about my babies … I didn’t know he was 14 when he was on the other side of that window.” The mother continued according to The New York Post, “All I knew was that somebody could come in and hurt me or my kids.”
Fort Worth police have not filed any charges against Wallace so far. However, she now faces eviction from her subsidized housing for owning a gun, despite there being no laws or signs prohibiting it, the outlet reported. Wallace said, “The apartments called and told me that I was not supposed to have a gun at all … and I have 30 days to vacate.” She fears the eviction could prevent her from finding other housing.
Baker’s mother, Latoiya Landers, said her son had dreams of starting a clothing line, stating, “He used to tell me, ‘Mama, watch. I’m going to make something of myself.’” This tragic shooting highlights the complex legal and ethical issues around self-defense, gun ownership, and protecting one’s family.
Over 2,000 break-ins occurred in Fort Worth in 2023. A Texas grand jury will review the shooting.
RELATED CONTENT: 2 Teenagers In Custody After Fatal Christmas Eve Shooting Of Sister
