Burglar Shot by Homeowner Sent to Prison

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained multiple convictions against a man who was caught in the act of a home invasion by the homeowner and shot. Mark Brandon Caldwell, 35, was convicted of two counts of Aggravated Burglary and one count of Theft. At a sentencing hearing today before Judge Scott Green, Caldwell was sentenced to serve thirteen years in prison consecutive to an eight-year sentence for another Aggravated Burglary case.

In the sentencing hearing, Assistant District Attorney TaKisha Fitzgerald explained to the Court that on August 21, 2015, Caldwell broke into a home on Sullivan Road by kicking in the back door. Caldwell then took a flat screen TV and a video game console from the home to his truck. While Caldwell was still inside the home, the homeowners returned to find an unfamiliar truck in their driveway. One of the homeowners retrieved a handgun, entered his home, and found Caldwell inside. The homeowner confronted Caldwell and told him to get on the ground. Instead of complying, Caldwell ran into the master bedroom at which time the homeowner fired three shots, two of which struck Caldwell in the shoulder and the elbow. Caldwell fled the home and drove to a nearby fire station to seek medical attention. Once at the fire station, police found stolen property in Caldwell’s truck from another home invasion he committed hours earlier. Caldwell was interviewed by investigators with the Knoxville Police Department and admitted committing both aggravated burglaries.

“”In addition to the loss of property, the victim testified that his wife and children are afraid to be in their own home,”” said DA Allen.””There is no amount of restitution the defendant can pay to make these victims whole again, however, the length of this sentence will ensure that this offender will not victimize any more citizens in our community for many years.””

Caldwell was on parole for another Aggravated Burglary case when he committed these offenses. As such, the sentence in this case must run consecutive to his parole sentence. Caldwell has six prior felony convictions for Aggravated Burglary and Burglary.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.