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Police say argument over pot led to father shooting son in self-defense

PITTSBURGH — A shooting early Tuesday morning sent one man to the hospital and police said it was the man’s father who shot him.

Investigators said the incident happened around 6 a.m. in the Chartiers City section of Pittsburgh.

Police said 24-year-old Marcus Jones came to the home on Haas Street to argue with his father, 51-year-old Horace Durham, and his grandmother.

Investigators said the argument began after Jones threatened to hurt his grandmother for allegedly throwing his marijuana stash on the front porch.

“It’s kind of a home invasion kind of thing because the suspect broke in the door and assaulted his father,” Pittsburgh Police Sgt.  Richard Howe said.

Investigators said once inside, Jones and Durham began fighting.

Responding officers said Durham and his grandmother feared for their lives. Police are calling the shooting an act of self-defense.

“The house is in complete disarray. There are obvious signs of a violent struggle, and severe damage to the door and everything,” said Howe.

Investigators said Durham was severely beaten.

“The calls came in to 911 that he was being beaten up pretty good,” Howe said.

Howe said at one point Jones used his 1-year-old child as a shield.

“He apparently grabbed his son and taunted his dad with the kid saying, ‘You’re not going to shoot me now. You’re not going to shoot me now,’ with his son in his arms,” Howe said.

The child was not hurt.

Police said Durham shot Jones in the leg and Jones later drove himself to Allegheny General Hospital to be treated. He remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition.

The incident remains under investigation.