Bakersfield, California

From Bakersfield’s KGET.com of August 17, 2005

Woman shoots intruder in leg

A woman defending her home shot a trespasser after two warning shots Wednesday afternoon. It happened on O Street around 2 p.m.

Police said a man who may have been on PCP was attacking two pitbulls outside the woman’s back yard.

The assailant was allegedly beating the dogs with a belt when he awakened a couple sleeping inside.

The woman, who is said to be in her 40’s, came to the back yard and asked the suspect to leave. Police said he then came at the couple and pushed the elderly man to the ground.

The woman fired two warning shots into the air before shooting the man in the thigh.

“It sounds like the occupants life was legitimately in danger,” said Det. Jack Smith from the Bakersfield Police Department. “They didn't know who he was he seemed to be under the influence of some sort of drug.”

“She was just pretty much trying to get the guy out of their yard,” said the woman’s son, Casey Jones. “She was scared.”

The Bakersfield Police department said when they arrived, the suspect was non-responsive. He was rushed to Kern Medical Center, where he is under arrest.

Investigators said the wound is not life threatening and no charges will be filed against the woman.

The suspect is facing assault charges, as well as breaking and entering.