Two suspected burglars broke into a Los Angeles, Calif., home through a sliding-glass door around 3 p.m. on July 8, apparently thinking the home was unoccupied since a woman had just left. However, a 56-year-old armed citizen was still inside. When they encountered the homeowner, a scuffle ensued and one of the suspects deployed pepper spray, but the man was still able to shoot several times at the alleged assailants, striking one 35-year-old man in the neck. A second suspect fled in a vehicle that a third person had waiting outside. The wounded suspect was taken to the hospital in critical condition and faced charges upon his release; he has an extensive record, including prior burglary and armed robbery convictions. The homeowner was not facing any charges at the time of reporting. (foxla.com, Los Angeles, Calif., 7/9/24)
A 49-year-old man forced his way into a home in Malta, New York, around lunchtime June 14. The homeowner and residents did not know the man, and when he followed one of them to a bedroom, the resident armed himself with a shotgun and fired two rounds at the intruder. The sheriff’s office said that “the investigation has not revealed any criminal conduct by the resident who appears to have been defending himself inside of his home from a subject who was not known to him” though they emphasized that the investigation remained open. (cbs6albany.com, Albany, N.Y., 6/14/24)
