Katy, Texas

From Click2Houston.com of April 24, 2006

Gun Battle Erupts After 2 Home Invasions In 2 Days

2 Die In Shootout

A homeowner fired back, killing two suspects, when his house was the target of two home invasions in as many days, officials told KPRC Local 2 Monday.

Fort Bend County sheriff's deputies said several armed suspects broke into a home in the 5500 block of Maybrook Park Lane shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday and tied up a teenage girl and her boyfriend.

As the robbers were stealing a safe, the homeowners arrived, officials said. One of the gunmen opened fire, grazing the head of one of the homeowners. The crooks fled the scene.

On Sunday, shortly before 10 p.m., the crooks returned for a second home invasion at the same house in the Grand Lakes Subdivision, according to deputies.

The homeowner and robbery suspects exchanged gunfire, officials said.

A female suspect was killed.

The other suspects fled the scene. The body of a man was found dumped on the side of the road in the 20700 block of Cranfield about 30 minutes after the home invasion. Deputies believe the man, identified as Omar Medrano, 23, was involved in the crime.

"One suspect was wearing a bullet-proof vest. The bullet that killed him missed the vest by inches. The lady was hit in the forehead -- a direct, head-on shot," said Sheriff Milton Wright with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office.

Officials believe the homeowner was targeted by a disgruntled former employee who knew he had a safe in his home. The homeowner is in the used car and repair shop business.

Neighbors are worried for their own safety.

"My wife and son are scared to death. I'm scared, too," resident Todd Burch said. "You move in an area like this, that's nice and quiet and calm, and you get relaxed and you don't think about stuff like this happening. And then it happens and you're on edge."

The homeowner is not expected to face any charges.