Arlington, VA Homeowner Shoots Intruder; Police Undecided on Charging Homeowner

Arlington Sun Gazette (Arlington, VA) ^ | Sept. 1, 2005 | Ryan Self

[Poundstone]

by RYAN SELF

Staff Writer

An Arlington man was shot in the face over the weekend after allegedly attempting to burglarize a North Arlington home and being confronted by a gun-toting homeowner.

County police said Tuesday morning that 18-year-old David Jeovavy Valdivia Dominguez was arrested at Virginia Hospital Center, where he was seeking treatment for the wound. Police later transferred Dominguez to Inova Fairfax Hospital. After treatment, Dominguez was transported to the Arlington County Adult Detention Facility.

Police allege that Dominguez was in the process of burglarizing a home in the 6000 block of 26th Street North in the Leeway-Overly community about 5:30 a.m. Sunday when he was confronted by the homeowner.

When confronted, police said Dominguez ran from the family room into the room of the man’s teenage daughter. A struggle ensued, and the homeowner shot the intruder in the face.

According to police, Dominquez fled on foot.

While there is an ordinance that makes it illegal to discharge a firearm in Arlington County, Arlington County Police Det. Rick Rodriguez said that no charges have been filed against the homeowner, who was interviewed by detectives following the incident.

“It will be up to the investigator to determine if they will be,” Rodriguez said of charges. “You have to look at the circumstances in this case.”

Police officials say that because of the gruesome nature of Dominguez’s injury, a mug shot will not be released. They have confirmed that Dominguez lives in a house near the crime scene.

A neighbor told the Sun Gazette that a large number of people – perhaps as many as 15 – live in the small home where Dominguez lives.

Rodriguez said that detectives have visited the home and interviewed some of the residents.

[highlymotivated]

As a firearms instructor (NRA) that is a recipe for jail time. You DO NOT want to use reloads/altered rounds in your personal protection weapon as some dimwit DA will charge you for using "hot" loads if you shoot someone in self-defense. Even if THEY don't charge you, you open yourself up to a lawsuit if the scumbag manages to survive or his survivors get a Cochran-type landshark. Clean fresh FACTORY ammo.

Don't do it.

[XpandTheEkonomy]

While there is an ordinance that makes it illegal to discharge a firearm in Arlington County

So you can bear arms in Arlington County but not discharge them?

And Chris Matthews...is he still allowed to shoot his mouth off in this jurisdiction?

[highlymotivated]

That is discharging it for no reason. Like celebrating your kid's birth by firing rounds up into the air, etc.

Shooting an intruder is perfectly legal IF you or yours are in jeopardy.

Also, State Law in Virginia ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS overcomes ANY city or local ordnance.

www.packing.org

[barb-tex]

Right On. The only weapons we should outlaw are mouse guns. I don't think you would need a mug shot if you shoot them in the face with a .45 even with out cyanide. My bedroom gun is a .45 ACP with a Marlin Guide gun in 45/70 in a rack as backup. Of course, since this is a common situation in my neighborhood, we dont get many burgularies out here. After all, this is Texas.
barbra ann

[guitarnick40]

"Police Undecided on Charging Homeowner", charging him with what?, Citizen of the month I hope..

[RexFamilia]

Having three different last names helps when collecting welfare checks

[ncountylee]

Thanks

[chadwimc]

Probably didn't try to reason with the victim in Spanish will be the first charge...

[muawiyah]

Arlington's representatives in the Virginia state legislature thought they could eliminate this overcrowding problem by making it unlawful to fall asleep in your recreation room.

There's a serious disconnect between the rich Liberal elites who run Arlington and the illegal aliens who live there.

I doubt it will be solved any time soon unless the Governor sends in the state police to take over Arlington County government.

[dhuffman@awod.com]

Too ugly for his cellmate, 'Mr. Bubba'?

[flashbunny]

But there's not one documented case of that ever happening.

I know, I've looked for them.

[Jeff Gordon]

I lived in the 4000 block of 26th street in the 60s. I used to shoot in my back yard. Arlington is not what it used to be.

[leadpenny]

Ahhh, the Soviet Socialist Republic of Arlington County, VA.

Also known as the land of the Kerry/Edwards bumper stickers.

[pageonetoo]

neighbor told the Sun Gazette that a large number of people – perhaps as many as 15 – live in the small home where Dominguez lives.

Most illegals live in someone else's house, and pay rent. They trash the house, the neighborhood, and take the jobs of citizens.

Thank Prez Bush for these invaders. He has rolled out the welcome mat...

[YourAdHere]

Actually I live in the area, and it's not uncommon to see hordes of immigrants living under one roof.

[Wurlitzer]

"If they file charges against the homeowner they need to be pulled into the streets and beat until they come to Jesus. Stupid bastards"

This can not be said loud enough or often enough.

Either restore the protections of the constitution or we will come after you.

[kittymyrib]

Gee...I'll bet this is an undocumented immigrant only here in the US to do the burglaries that our own thugs haven't gotten to yet. I do hope that the feckless ICE officers wrote down the address of the house with 15 other Mexicans living in it...just in case they actually want to deport someone sometime.

[Riptides]

...."the gruesome nature of Dominguez' injuries"

I love stories with a happy ending.


-Riptides

[Bottom_Gun]

I agree with you there, as an NRA instructor myself, I always tell students only factory loads in a defense gun. there is way too much liability in using reloads. Thee are plenty of factory defense loads out there that you don't need to use home loads.