Posted on 04/04/2002 10:09:12 AM PST by tarawa
Neighbor: Intruder Chose Wrong House
The encounter only lasted a few frantic moments, but when it was over, the prowler was dead, KMBC 9 News' Peggy Breit reported Wednesday.
Victor Fuentes, 19, was shot and later died after allegedly breaking into a man's house in the 300 block of Mersington Avenue.
The man who lives in the house works nights at the railroad, so he was sleeping about 10 a.m.
He told police that he was awakened to the sounds of someone rummaging through his basement, and then he grabbed his gun.
The intruder was shot and taken to the hospital, where he later died. The homeowner said that as he began looking through his house, the intruder surprised him on the first floor.
"At that time, the prowler made a sudden motion that he took ... as a threatening motion, and he fired the handgun at the suspect," said officer Bob Murphy of the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
A bullet penetrated the front wall of the home, and a plate glass window shattered.
"The glass ... woke me up," neighbor Paul Larabee said.
Larabee said he didn't hear gunshots, but he knew why his neighbor owned a gun. Larabee said he owns one, too.
"He's a fine person. I've known him 26 years here. You couldn't find a better person, but they picked on the wrong person to rob," Larabee said.
Other neighbors said that break-ins and robberies are common.
"My wife was in my house sleeping. They broke in, stole the stuff out of my house, and they cleaned Johnny out in broad daylight," neighbor Gary Stuart said.
Police said that a such a situation is not at all the norm.
"Early indications (are that it) appears it is justifiable," Murphy said.
Police said they are still looking for a car that was seen speeding through the back alley and in front of the home.
"I just (saw) the three boys in the car. They went right past me and scared me. (They) almost hit me," neighbor Helen Showers said.
The homeowner was taken in for questioning and released. Charges are not expected, Breit reported.
Police did not say whether the prowler was armed. The homeowner said he did not know Fuentes.
Investigators are still looking for three men in a blue car, but they said they are not sure what role, if any, they had in what happened, Breit reported.
Well, that's the understatement of the day!
Perhaps, but this person obviously needs remedial weapons training.
Two shots, minimum! And if necessary keep hitting them until they hit the floor (with due regard to saving rounds for a possible accomplice - this is where a high-capacity weapon comes in handy).
But overall, Well Done!
Roger that. Good work, citizen.
Gun control IS hitting what you aim at. ;^)
Prompted by a fawning press, the other three thugs would be receiving "counseling", and the dead thug's family would sue for millions.
Never take that last shot if the perp is on the ground. They will track the bullet path and you will be in a world of hurt.
Ain't that the truth...
PING for justice duly rendered.
Scratch another notch for the "good guys".
5.56mm
With a 12 gage open cylinder barrel firing #2 magnums at household ranges, two shots is overkill.
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