Phoenix man shoots suspected burglar in buttocks
by Brealyn Nenes - Sept. 21, 2010 09:34 PM
The Arizona Republic
A 19-year-old was treated for non-life-threatening injuries Tuesday afternoon after a Phoenix homeowner shot the man, who he believed was attempting to burglarize his home, officials said.
According to Sgt. Tommy Thompson, the 30-year-old homeowner and his wife already had been burglarized once, along with a second incident in which someone attempted to break in. On the second occasion, the man's wife was able to chase away the thief after he "knocked louder than a person would normally knock" just before trying to break in.
Thompson said that the man was home alone Tuesday when he heard a knock louder than normal that afternoon. The man, thinking it was another attempt to burglarize his home, returned to the front door after retrieving a shotgun.
Two men tried to force the door open, but the homeowner pushed against it from inside. The resident stepped away after he looked through the peephole and saw the suspects charging the door. After the door was forced open, the men entered the home and the resident fired his shotgun, hitting the 19-year-old in the buttocks, Thompson said.
Police said the injured suspect was at the scene when they arrived. He was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The second suspect fled.
He is described as a Hispanic male in his mid-20s, 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 10 inches tall and approximately 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black hat and a long white T-shirt.
Thompson added, "An investigation will be conducted and reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office to determine if charges may be filed against the home owner.
by Brealyn Nenes - Sept. 21, 2010 09:34 PM
The Arizona Republic
A 19-year-old was treated for non-life-threatening injuries Tuesday afternoon after a Phoenix homeowner shot the man, who he believed was attempting to burglarize his home, officials said.
According to Sgt. Tommy Thompson, the 30-year-old homeowner and his wife already had been burglarized once, along with a second incident in which someone attempted to break in. On the second occasion, the man's wife was able to chase away the thief after he "knocked louder than a person would normally knock" just before trying to break in.
Thompson said that the man was home alone Tuesday when he heard a knock louder than normal that afternoon. The man, thinking it was another attempt to burglarize his home, returned to the front door after retrieving a shotgun.
Two men tried to force the door open, but the homeowner pushed against it from inside. The resident stepped away after he looked through the peephole and saw the suspects charging the door. After the door was forced open, the men entered the home and the resident fired his shotgun, hitting the 19-year-old in the buttocks, Thompson said.
Police said the injured suspect was at the scene when they arrived. He was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The second suspect fled.
He is described as a Hispanic male in his mid-20s, 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 10 inches tall and approximately 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black hat and a long white T-shirt.
Thompson added, "An investigation will be conducted and reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office to determine if charges may be filed against the home owner.
