Man shot in robbery

A Lebanon man shot in what was apparently an early-morning robbery is frustrating investigators with his lack of cooperation.

Lebanon Police officers responded to a call at 215 Jennings Ave. just after 5 a.m. Sunday morning. Inside the home they found Latone A. Britton, who had been shot once in the abdomen.

Britton, 26, is reportedly in stable condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center after being transported there via LifeFlight from University Medical Center.

The door was forced open and the house was ransacked when authorities arrived, leading to a robbery motive. However, police found a sizable amount of cash, cocaine and marijuana, leading investigators to believe the incident was drug-related.

"He gave an initial story that three black men forced their way into the house and shot him," Lebanon Police Chief Scott Bowen said, "and since then he has been uncooperative."

Bowen said police actually had to obtain a search warrant to examine the crime scene after who was apparently Britton's roommate refused to let police in the home.

"It's sad when you go to a crime scene and the person that's shot, the roommate that's there with him refuses to let you search the crime scene," Bowen said. "… I guess we now know why they didn't want to let us in the house."

Britton may face drug charges, but Bowen said they are simply trying to solve the shooting and robbery now. He said police have no suspects in mind right now.

Staff Writer Jason Cox can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 45 or by e-mail at jason.cox@lebanondemocrat.com.