Jennifer Edwards Baker

jbaker@enquirer.com

The man Cincinnati police say fled a College Hill residential break-in that led to a juvenile being shot earlier this week is under arrest.

Jerald Davis, 34, was booked into the Hamilton County jail on a burglary charge late Tuesday.

His bond was set at $250,000 during a brief court appearance Wednesday.

Davis pleaded not guilty to prying into a Groesbeck Road home with a crowbar early Monday. The commotion woke the homeowner, Marlo White, 37, who was sleeping on the third story.

He grabbed for his gun, but it wasn't loaded. Police say a startled Davis ran outside.

That's where two teenagers, 14 and 15, were standing as they waited for Davis.

The homeowner loaded his gun and fired at the teens, striking and wounding the 15-year-old.

The juvenile is expected to recover and was charged with burglary Tuesday, along with the 14-year-old.

Davis ran off and remained at large until his arrest.

He has a lengthy criminal record with several arrests court records show, but it's mostly for low-level crimes such as possession of marijuana, theft, minor drug abuse and disorderly conduct.

Next in the case: whether the homeowner was justified in firing at the teens. Hamilton County prosecutors will determine that.

Ohio's current self-defense law requires people to retreat before using deadly force against an attacker, according to the Ohio Revised Code.

A provision in the law, called the Castle Doctrine, does not require people to retreat if they are in their homes, vehicles, or vehicle of a close family member.

The lines became blurred in this case, since the teens at which White allegedly shot were outside of his home.

Legislation is pending in the Ohio House of Representatives that would add a stand-your-ground provision to Ohio's law. The provision would eliminate the requirement to retreat before using self-defense.

White has not responded to requests for comment.

Davis and the teen burglary suspects all live in an apartment building just up the street from White on Groesbeck Road.

The break-in and shooting set the neighborhood was on edge.

Several residents said break-ins have become common in recent years.

Tarra Barber-Coleman said her house was broken into three months after she moved in five years ago.

After that, she took security measures.

"I hate that somebody had to get shot, but we are scared around here," she said. "We had to get dogs, security companies."

Mary Harper, who lives on East Way, said she doesn't feel secure in the neighborhood anymore. She has temporary metal bars in her windows to try to deter burglars.

"I had three break-ins at my house and the fourth time they couldn't get in," Harper said.

Now she is considering whether she needs a weapon to protect her home.

"I am thinking about getting a gun and learning how to shoot it like everybody else,:" she said.

Ally Marotti contributed.