In Michigan, Dayton Knapton is now under manslaughter charges after he shot and killed 17-year-old Sivan Wilson during what was reported as a burglary attempt. The state’s “Stand Your Ground” law has come under fire, especially from Wilson’s grieving family.
Following Knapton’s shooting, which struck Wilson, the teen reportedly succumbed to his injuries about half an hour later. According to Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, evidence indicates that Knapton discharged his weapon towards individuals who were in retreat. Wilson’s father, Shawn Madden, expressed his anguish by stating, “Sivan was running away and got shot. I never heard any mention of him getting shot in the garage.”
Knapton’s lawyer, Dov Lustig, claims that Knapton acted in self-defense, believing he was facing masked intruders threatening his safety. However, Wilson’s family maintains that he was simply trying to escape when he was shot.
Lustig explained: “At 1 a.m., when his alarm triggered, Dayton turned to his girlfriend and said, ‘Honey, call the police.’ Then he grabbed his gun and went outside.” He contends that Knapton’s actions were purely defensive, asserting that he wasn’t hunting down anyone but rather was trying to protect his property during an alarming situation.
Currently, Knapton, who has entered a not guilty plea, remains out on bail and is set to appear in court soon. Prosecutor McDonald emphasizes the balance of gun ownership with community safety, stating, “While the rights to possess firearms and safeguard one’s home and family are crucial, these significant rights come paired with heavy responsibility.” She further remarked on the severity of firing a weapon into the darkness surrounding their community.
Lustig stressed Knapton’s character, revealing him as a hardworking individual, putting in around 60 hours a week at a car dealership, and trying to maintain a quiet life. He noted, “It’s unfair for Dayton, a regular guy who didn’t ask for any of this, to be at the center of such a painful situation.”
Emily Prescott writes on U.S. politics and news for Modern Newsstand LLC.
