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A $10 Million Lawsuit After A Business Break-In
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A confrontation inside a Portland, Oregon, business has become the subject of a multimillion-dollar civil lawsuit more than three years after a man was shot during an alleged break-in.
Kenneth Voyles is seeking $10 million from Touchstone Granite & Marble and its owner, James Grant, according to reporting about the lawsuit.
Voyles is seeking $5 million in compensatory damages and another $5 million in punitive damages.
What makes the case particularly unusual is that Voyles reportedly acknowledges entering the closed business intending to take a bag containing tools.
That admission, however, does not resolve the central legal dispute.
Voyles and Grant have sharply different accounts of what happened after Grant discovered him inside the business.
Voyles claims he was trying to escape and that Grant used excessive force. Grant, meanwhile, says he believed Voyles was preparing to attack him with bolt cutters and that he fired because he feared for his life.
The civil case therefore raises a much broader question than the headline suggests:
What actually happened during those critical moments, and was the shooting legally justified under the circumstances?
What Happened At The Portland Business?
The confrontation occurred on March 6, 2023, at the premises of Touchstone Granite & Marble in Portland.
According to Voyles' lawsuit, he entered the closed business through a damaged section of a garage door.
Voyles reportedly acknowledged that he picked up a bag containing a drill because he intended to steal it.
His lawsuit also describes him as homeless, cold and sleep-deprived at the time and says he had initially been looking for food and somewhere warm.
Those circumstances form part of Voyles' account of what happened. They do not, however, change his reported admission that he intended to steal tools.
The situation escalated when Grant arrived at the business at approximately 5:30 a.m.
Grant discovered Voyles inside.
From that point, the two accounts diverge significantly.
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Voyles' Version Of Events
Voyles says he apologized when Grant confronted him and attempted to leave the building.
According to the lawsuit, he moved toward the damaged garage door in an effort to escape.
Voyles alleges that Grant followed him and threw objects, including a coffee mug and heavy tiles, in his direction.
He says he then picked up a pair of bolt cutters because he believed he needed to protect himself.
According to Voyles' account, he was unable to open the locked exit.
The lawsuit alleges that Grant then left the immediate area, returned with a handgun and opened fire.
Voyles claims Grant shot him at close range and continued firing as he attempted to get through the damaged garage door.
These allegations are disputed by Grant.
Grant's Account Is Very Different
Grant has described the confrontation as a situation in which he believed he was facing an immediate threat.
Speaking to KPTV after the shooting, Grant said he saw Voyles pick up the bolt cutters and believed he was preparing to attack him.
Grant said he ran approximately 15 feet to retrieve his firearm.
He told the station that when he returned, Voyles was still holding the bolt cutters and appeared to be moving toward him.
Grant said he believed his life was in danger and fired his weapon.
He also said he had ordered Voyles to get on the ground before shooting.
Grant described the confrontation as happening extremely quickly.
The central point of his account is self-defense. He maintains that he did not shoot Voyles simply because he found him inside the business, but because he believed Voyles posed an immediate physical threat.
The Critical Question: What Did Grant Reasonably Believe?
This is where the case becomes more complicated than the headline might suggest.
Someone entering a business without permission does not automatically determine whether a property owner may legally use deadly force against that person.
Self-defense laws generally examine issues such as whether a person reasonably believed they faced an imminent threat of serious physical harm. The precise legal standards vary by jurisdiction and depend heavily on the circumstances.
The key question is therefore not simply:
“Was Voyles trespassing?”
It is more accurately:
“What was happening when Grant fired, and was his belief that he faced an imminent threat legally justified?”
The bolt cutters could become important evidence because both accounts acknowledge that Voyles had possession of them.
However, the two men disagree about what that possession meant.
Grant says Voyles raised the bolt cutters and moved toward him.
Voyles says he picked them up to protect himself while trying to escape.
Determining which account is supported by the evidence could be critical to the civil case.
Voyles' Injuries Were Serious
Voyles survived the shooting but says he suffered significant physical injuries.
According to the lawsuit, he suffered a collapsed lung, penetrating injuries to his chest and shattered bones in his right arm.
The lawsuit also states that he required extensive vascular repairs and several emergency operations.
Voyles argues that the injuries caused substantial physical and emotional harm and are seeking damages as a result.
His lawsuit accuses Grant and Touchstone Granite & Marble of several forms of wrongdoing, including battery, assault, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The defendants dispute the allegations.
Why Is Voyles Seeking $10 Million?
The lawsuit seeks a total of $10 million, divided into two major categories.
$5 Million In Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are generally intended to compensate a person for legally recognized losses.
In a case involving serious injuries, those losses could include medical expenses, physical pain, emotional suffering, lost income and other damages supported by the evidence.
$5 Million In Punitive Damages
Punitive damages serve a different purpose.
They are generally intended to punish particularly wrongful conduct and discourage similar behavior rather than simply compensate the plaintiff.
It is important to understand that asking for $10 million does not mean a court will award $10 million.
The amount stated in a lawsuit is the plaintiff's demand. A court could ultimately award a different amount—or no damages at all—depending on the evidence and applicable law.
The Lawsuit Does Not Erase Voyles' Own Admission
One of the most unusual aspects of the case is that Voyles reportedly acknowledges entering the business intending to steal a bag containing tools.
That admission could become relevant to the civil litigation.
However, it does not automatically resolve every legal question surrounding the subsequent shooting.
Civil cases can involve multiple competing legal issues.
A person may have engaged in unlawful conduct while still arguing that another person subsequently used unlawful or excessive force against them.
Whether that argument succeeds depends on the facts and applicable law.
It would therefore be inaccurate to conclude:
“He was trespassing, so he cannot sue.”
But it would also be inaccurate to conclude:
“He was shot, so the business owner must be liable.”
The court must examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Why The Bolt Cutters Matter
The bolt cutters have emerged as one of the most significant details in the competing accounts.
Voyles says he picked them up while attempting to protect himself and escape.
Grant says Voyles raised the bolt cutters and appeared to be moving toward him.
That distinction could have major legal significance.
Simply holding a tool does not automatically make someone an attacker.
At the same time, a large cutting tool could potentially be used as a weapon.
Its legal significance depends on the surrounding circumstances, including the distance between the two men, their movements, what was said, whether an escape route was available and what Grant reasonably believed at the moment he fired.
Evidence from the scene could therefore play an important role in determining what happened.
The Shooting Happened More Than Three Years Ago
The incident occurred in March 2023, but the civil dispute continues to attract attention because of the size of the damages claim and the sharply different accounts of the shooting.
The passage of time does not necessarily resolve a civil dispute.
Lawsuits can take considerable time to develop, particularly when they involve serious injuries, questions about liability and competing versions of an incident.
The lawsuit now provides a legal forum in which those competing accounts can be examined through evidence and court proceedings.
What Happened Immediately After The Shooting?
After being shot, Voyles escaped from the building and was found by police on the street.
He was transported to a hospital in stable condition, according to the reported account.
Grant was not injured.
He called 911 following the confrontation.
The immediate aftermath therefore involved both the medical response to Voyles' injuries and the police investigation into the shooting.
Grant's decision to call authorities is consistent with his account that he believed he had acted in self-defense, although the call itself does not establish whether his use of force was legally justified.
That question requires consideration of the full circumstances.
A Difficult Question About Self-Defense
Cases involving property owners and intruders can provoke strong public reactions because they involve competing rights and responsibilities.
Property owners have legitimate interests in protecting their homes and businesses.
At the same time, the use of deadly force is subject to legal limitations.
The fact that someone is committing a property crime does not automatically mean deadly force is legally justified.
In many self-defense disputes, a central question is whether there was an imminent threat of serious harm and whether the response was legally reasonable under the circumstances.
Here, the disagreement over whether Voyles advanced toward Grant while holding the bolt cutters makes the factual dispute particularly important.
Why Headlines Can Be Misleading
A headline such as “Man Shot While Breaking Into Business Demands $10 Million” can immediately create a strong emotional reaction.
But a responsible examination requires more context.
Yes, Voyles reportedly admits that he entered the closed business intending to steal tools.
Yes, he was shot during the confrontation.
Yes, he is now seeking $10 million.
But the central legal dispute concerns what happened between those events.
Was Grant confronted with an imminent threat?
Did Voyles attempt to attack him?
Was Voyles genuinely attempting to escape?
Did Grant use excessive force?
Was Grant's response legally justified?
Those are the questions that the civil litigation must address.
What Does The Lawsuit Claim?
Voyles' lawsuit reportedly accuses Grant and Touchstone Granite & Marble of:
- Assault
- Battery
- Negligence
- Intentional infliction of emotional distress
Voyles says the shooting caused severe physical and emotional harm.
He is seeking $5 million in compensatory damages and another $5 million in punitive damages.
Grant's position is fundamentally different. He maintains that he acted because he believed his life was in danger.
The Difference Between Criminal And Civil Cases
Another important distinction is that a civil lawsuit is different from a criminal prosecution.
A criminal case generally involves the government alleging that an individual violated criminal law.
A civil lawsuit is brought by a private party seeking a legal remedy, often financial compensation.
The filing of Voyles' lawsuit does not mean Grant has been found responsible for his injuries.
Likewise, the lawsuit itself does not establish that Voyles' allegations are true.
The court must consider the evidence and arguments presented by both sides.
What Evidence Could Matter?
Several types of evidence could become important in determining what happened.
Witness Statements
People who witnessed the confrontation could provide information about the movements and behavior of both men.
Physical Evidence
The location of the shooting, bullet trajectories, damage to the garage door and other physical evidence could help establish the sequence of events.
Medical Records
Voyles' medical records could document the nature and extent of his injuries and the treatment he received.
Police Records
The original police investigation, emergency calls and statements made shortly after the shooting could become relevant to the litigation.
Surveillance Footage
If security cameras captured any part of the confrontation, the footage could potentially provide important evidence.
The Firearm And Tools
The firearm and bolt cutters could also be examined alongside the accounts provided by both men.
Ultimately, the strength of either side's case will depend on the available evidence rather than the emotional appeal of their respective stories.
What We Know And What Remains Disputed
What Appears To Be Undisputed
- Voyles entered the closed business.
- He reportedly acknowledges intending to steal a bag containing tools.
- Grant discovered him inside.
- Voyles was shot during the ensuing confrontation.
- Voyles survived and required extensive medical treatment.
- Voyles has filed a civil lawsuit seeking $10 million.
What Remains Disputed
- Whether Voyles threatened Grant with the bolt cutters.
- Whether Grant chased or attacked Voyles before retrieving his firearm.
- Whether Voyles was attempting to escape when Grant fired.
- Whether Grant's use of deadly force was legally justified.
- Whether Grant or the company should be held civilly responsible for Voyles' injuries.
Those disputed questions are precisely why the case cannot fairly be reduced to a single provocative headline.
The Bigger Issue: When Can A Property Owner Use Force?
The case raises a broader question relevant to business owners and property occupants:
What should someone do when they discover an intruder?
In many circumstances, the safest response is to create distance, seek safety and contact law enforcement rather than confronting the person directly.
But every situation is different.
When a property owner believes an intruder is armed or posing an immediate threat of violence, the legal analysis can become considerably more complicated.
Because self-defense laws differ by jurisdiction, people should not assume that rules from one state automatically apply elsewhere.
This case should therefore not be treated as a simple legal guide for property owners.
Anyone facing an actual emergency should prioritize immediate safety and contact emergency services.
Why This Case Is Likely To Attract Attention
The lawsuit combines several issues that naturally generate strong public reactions:
- A business break-in.
- A confrontation between a business owner and an alleged intruder.
- A firearm.
- Serious injuries.
- A disputed self-defense claim.
- A $10 million civil lawsuit filed by the person who was shot.
But the strongest lesson from the case is that dramatic circumstances do not eliminate the need for careful legal analysis.
Both sides have presented their version of events.
The evidence will determine which facts can ultimately be established.
Final Takeaway
Kenneth Voyles is seeking $10 million after being shot during a 2023 confrontation inside a Portland business.
He reportedly admits entering the closed business intending to steal tools but argues that the shooting was unjustified and caused severe physical and emotional harm.
James Grant tells a sharply different story.
Grant says Voyles picked up bolt cutters and appeared ready to attack, prompting him to retrieve his firearm and shoot because he feared for his life.
The central dispute is therefore not simply whether Voyles was inside the business unlawfully.
It is what happened during the confrontation and whether Grant's response was legally justified.
Until the court resolves those questions, neither side's disputed account should be treated as established fact.
The $10 million figure may be the part of the lawsuit that attracts the most attention, but the more important issue is the legal question underneath it:
When does a property owner's right to defend themselves end, and when does the use of force become legally excessive?
That is the question the evidence—and ultimately the court—will have to answer.
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Editorial Note
This article is based on publicly reported information concerning the lawsuit and the 2023 shooting. Allegations contained in a civil complaint are not findings of fact. AfroAsiaBlog has presented the accounts attributed to Kenneth Voyles and James Grant as disputed versions of the confrontation and has not characterized either account as independently established unless supported by the reported record.
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