MARTINSVILLE — Damien Lee Hines, 21, told Martinsville police officers that he had been trying to teach a group of teenagers “a lesson” due to them constantly harassing him, which led to him opening fire.
Just after midnight, as Saturday turned to Sunday, Martinsville police rushed to a home on South Home Avenue and East South Road around 11:53 p.m.
Officers found two victims who had suffered gunshot wounds. A 19-year-old male sustained two gunshot wounds to the leg, and a juvenile suffered a wound near his groin. The officers aided the victims until Morgan County EMS arrived.
One juvenile was transported by air ambulance to Methodist Hospital. The 19-year-old was first transported via ambulance to a local hospital and then to Methodist Hospital.
A third juvenile was later found to have suffered a minor graze wound to the foot but wasn’t transported to a hospital.
This is an ongoing investigation, and the names of the victims are not being released at this time.
Officers were quickly able to determine that Hines, of Martinsville, was the suspected shooter and took the man into custody after finding him on York Street.
Hines admitted to firing a gun at a group of three teenagers who he claims were attempting to jump him.
Hines told police those he shot had been routinely harassing him for weeks, shouting at him while he was outside his home, threatening to beat him up, and vandalizing his vehicle with eggs and cheese.
Hines admitted to taking his actions too far by telling officers he “f***** up” and was in the wrong. Hines said he was only trying to teach his harassers a lesson.
According to several witnesses, the 19-year-old shooting victim had been telling several individuals about how he wanted to fight Hines. He reportedly sent a video to one person where he was shouting insults at Hines’ home while driving past.
Hines told police that the 19-year-old and two juveniles were again threatening to attack him, so he pulled a gun.
Hines told police, the 19-year-old said, “Come at me, I will slit your throat,” while approaching Hines. The 19-year-old then emptied his pockets to begin fighting Hines. But witnesses did not see the teen holding a knife.
One witness said the 19-year-old had been drinking Fireball before confronting Hines. He has also been bragging about approaching Hines and starting a fight.
Hines fired a warning shot at the teen as he was approaching him but then admitted to aiming the gun at the 19-year-old and firing.
He told police he wasn’t sure if he hit any of the teens, which is why he didn’t dial 911.
Hines is facing charges of battery by means of a deadly weapon and three counts of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon.
