Another home invasion in Arizona

Homeowner shoots intruder with shotgun


by Michael Ferraresi and Jolie McCullough - Jan. 27, 2010 05:43 PM
The Arizona Republic

Phoenix police are investigating an incident in which a northeast Phoenix homeowner shot and killed an intruder with a 12-gauge shotgun blast to the belly.

The homeowner phoned 911 at 1:45 p.m. after shooting the intruder at his home in the 4300 block of East Libby Street, northwest of Bell Road and 44th Street, according to the Phoenix Fire Department. The homeowner told police that the intruder had asked for his car keys, money and identification.


The incident is believed to have started at approximately 1:15 p.m. when the suspect was spotted burglarizing a vending machine at a car wash on Tatum Boulevard and Charleston Avenue, said Sgt. Tommy Thompson.

In his attempt to leave the scene, the suspect cracked his axle but continued to drive away, stopping by an elementary school close to the home he invaded.

Foothills Elementary School was put on lockdown for a short time while police searched the area for the burglar.

"As they were searching the area, they heard a pop," said Thompson. The pop was the blast from the homeowner's shotgun.

Firefighters transported the intruder to an area hospital where he died from his injuries.