1 Dead, 1 Injured When Homeowner Fires On Burglars

A Tacoma homeowner who caught two intruders breaking into his garage shot them, killing one early Monday morning, police said.

At about 6 a.m., police confirmed to KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Rick Price that a shooting erupted shortly before 5 a.m. between Fawcett Avenue and D Street off South 38th Street.

Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum told KIRO 7 a homeowner shot two men who were breaking into an attached garage at his home.

SLIDESHOW: 2 Shot In Confrontation

Fulghum said the homeowner confronted the two burglars and held them at gunpoint.

"While he was detaining them, both suspects charged at him. He fired at both subjects and hit both of them," Fulghum said.

One of the burglars staggered down the alley and died; the other fell wounded, he said.

Police said the homeowner tried to help the injured burglar, administering first aid until firefighters and police arrived.

"Right now, early indications are that we was defending his house and then when he was charged he was defending himself," Fulghum said.

A neighbor told KIRO 7 the homeowner, who had served in the military, had been the victim of burglars before and was prepared.

Several others in the neighborhood have also armed themselves in case of a burglary, the neighbor said.

Other neighbors said they don’t fault the homeowner for fighting back.

"I think it's OK," said Jack Carlson. "Maybe it'll teach some of these yahoos a lesson."

Though police had the alley blocked, Chopper 7 pilot and reporter Clark Stahl was able to confirm that there was a body at the scene when he flew over the area before the police spokesman arrived.

Price said an ambulance took one patient to St. Joseph Medical Center, and radio transmissions suggested that the victim was going into surgery at about 5:45 a.m. The patient was considered to be in “guarded” condition, Price said.

Police said the neighborhood is not a high-crime area.

But some neighbors said they are armed with guns in case someone tries to break into their homes.