Posted on 03/21/2008 3:37:28 AM PDT by decimon
WEST COVINA, Calif. - A woman made a 911 call from her suburban mansion to report an attempted break-in, but her pleas were interrupted by gunshots, then silence: She had been shot to death.
The woman told the dispatcher late Wednesday morning that someone was trying to break into her home in upscale West Covina, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Dan Rosenberg said.
"Deputies heard gunshots followed by silence and an open phone line," he said.
Investigators combed the neighborhood Thursday outside the three-story house with a tennis court, pool and four-car garage. Investigators examined the opening mechanism of the driveway's black iron gates, and later a repairman worked on the gates.
The victim was identified as Hsiao Hsu, 45, said Sheriff's Department spokesman Ed Hernandez.
Sheriff's deputies responding to the call entered the home and found the victim. She was pronounced dead at the scene. One or more males were reported seen running away from the house, the Sheriff's Department said.
The San Gabriel Valley Tribune carried a report describing a man who came to the scene about an hour after the shooting and asked deputies, "Is my wife OK? Did you find the guy?"
The man collapsed and cried out, "No! No! No! She just called me, you lie," the newspaper said. A patrol car drove the man away.
A KABC-TV report showed an investigator in the neighborhood examining what appeared to be a handgun under a shrub.
The house is east of Los Angeles in an unincorporated area where many homes stand well back from roads, with tall hedges and gates. Horses stood quietly in a corral at one neighborhood home Thursday.
A neighbor said a couple recently occupied the home, described on real estate Web sites as being nearly 6,000 square feet and having recently sold for more than $2 million.
"They moved in only about six months ago. I've only seen them drive in and out," said Ronald Wheeler, 57, who lives across the street.
Irene and Jesus Marquez, who live nearby, said the family has two children.
"They were really nice, good people," said Irene Marquez.
___
Associated Press writer Sandy Cohen contributed to this report.
Are they allowed to in California?
RIP
Well thank God she didn't have a gun. She might have gotten hurt.
AGREE! DON'T WARN THE F***ER. The first warning anyone who breaks into my house with me present is going to get is the sound of my currently favored home defense weapon going off. (This is currently an UZI)
He's most likely the killer, or hired the ones who did it.
Hah! A mossberg was the first thing I thought of.
Yeah, I thought of that too. Too cynical, maybe.
I dial 9mm or louisville slugger first.
Sigh.
you must be a typical white person../s
” One or more males were reported seen running away from the house, the Sheriff’s Department said. “
When the description is this bland, the criminal is either black or hispanic. Sort of like saying, “The police are looking for a man in his 30s wearing a red shirt.”
Fear the government that fears its citizens armed.
My 1st thought also.
GRRRRREAT thread, quotes, advice. Thanks to all contributors.
When seconds count, police are minutes away. Dial 911 and die.
One of my options for HD is a Mossberg 500 (w/tactical upgrades) loaded with #6 birdshot. Won’t penetrate 2x drywall (protects others in the house, but will really mess someone up at close range...
Yeah, something doesn't smell right. Such a house certainly has a security system plus it was behind iron gates.
But it was the pistol thrown into the shrubbery that got my attention. Why do such a thing? It doesn't sound like they were being pursued right away.
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