Portland business owner sued for $10M after shooting intruder

Kenneth Voyles, a man who was homeless at the time of an incident in March 2023, has filed a $10 million lawsuit against Touchstone Granite & Marble Inc and its owner, James Grant, in Multnomah County. The lawsuit seeks $5 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, alleging battery, assault, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Voyles admits he entered the Portland business by breaking through a damaged garage door and intended to steal a drill bag. He claims that when confronted by Grant, he attempted to flee but was pursued and shot three times. Voyles alleges that Grant threw objects at him and told him, ‘You’re going to die,’ before firing at close range.

Grant, an Army veteran, disputes these claims. He maintains that Voyles became aggressive and appeared ready to attack him with a pair of bolt cutters. Grant stated he fired his weapon to protect himself and to end the confrontation, asserting that he only shot the intruder when he felt his life was in danger.