PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) -- The District Attorney says a state trooper had a right to defend himself when he shot and killed a Hampstead man in April.
Now a woman who says the man killed, Maynard Thomas, was the love of his life is speaking out.
"He promised me that: 10 more good years," Shannon Watkins said. "And that got shot down... literally."
Watkins says with Thomas, she was happier than she had ever been and planned on marrying him. She was in their Hampstead home when Thomas was killed April 13 and narrowly missed being shot herself.
"It disgusts me," she said of today's announcement clearing the trooper who shot and killed Thomas. "It disgusts me."
In a news conference this morning, District Attorney Ben David said officers went to Thomas's home twice the night of April 13; the second time after hearing several gunshots. When officers, including Tpr. Josh Kiser, arrived, they saw three men through the window, including one with a shotgun. David says Kiser told Thomas to put down the gun several times before Thomas pointed the gun at him. That's when Kiser fired killing Thomas.
"While regrettable, Maynard Thomas is dead today because of his criminal activity," David said. "The officers did nothing to violate the law."
But Watkins says the men did not hear police.
"Maynard would have never shot if he would have heard, 'Police, police,'" Watkins said.
She says Thomas thought the men were intruders.
Now Watkins is left with only memories.
"I can't sleep, and when I do sleep, I dream about him, and we're having good times," Watkins said. "And then I wake up to reality."
A reality that no longer includes Thomas.
Other friends of Thomas say they are shocked at the outcome of the investigation.
