Alleged intruder fatally shot at Garrard home

By Greg Kocher - gkocher1@herald-leader.com

Kentucky State Police are investigating a shooting early Tuesday in Garrard County in which one man died.

Dallas Richard Helton, 40, of Paint Lick was pronounced dead at 1:42 a.m. Tuesday at the scene of the shooting, Coroner Daryl Hodge said.

The shooting occurred at 1524 Old Richmond Road North in Cartersville, about 8 miles east of Lancaster, Hodge said.

Dallas Richard Helton

At 12:46 a.m. Tuesday, the homeowner, Hurlin McQuerry, called 911 to report that a man had forcibly entered his home and that the homeowner had shot him with a .410-gauge shotgun, state police said in a release.

Upon arrival, state police found Helton dead of a single gunshot wound to the chest.

Helton was wearing a ski mask and gloves and had a crowbar when he entered the house, state police said.

At the time of the shooting, two people were waiting outside in a vehicle, state police said.

One was identified as Tanya A. Fowler, 35, of Berea, and the other was Helton's juvenile son.

State police charged Fowler with second-degree complicity to commit burglary and took her to the Lincoln County jail.

McQuerry was not charged Tuesday, but Trooper Chris Lanham said the case will be presented to a grand jury.