Elyria, Ohio

From the Lorain Morning Journal of August 3, 2006

Man shot by thief in his home

An Elyria man was shot Tuesday night after firing at an intruder in what was the second burglary attempt in his home in less than a year, police said yesterday.

Phillip Benko, owner of Benko's Driving Range, exchanged gunfire with a burglar inside the home he shares with his 85-year-old mother and was shot in the stomach, according to a report. Benko, 10364 Middle Ave., was in critical but stable condition yesterday at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Benko, 56, told police he was sleeping on a couch in his living room when he heard a voice say, ''Where's the money at?''

''I reached over and grabbed my gun and cocked the trigger and told the guy to get out,'' Benko told police. ''I fired one shot at the bastard. I don't know if I hit him or not.''

Seconds later, Benko realized that he had been shot in the stomach. He made it to the dining room and called 911. Officers found him lying on his back in the dining room with a towel covering his bleeding abdomen.

His mother, Alice Benko, told police she left her bathroom and began walking toward the living room Tuesday night when she heard someone ask where the money was. She saw a person holding a rifle-style gun with two hands pointing it at her son.

She fled back to the bathroom after the man shot her son. Alice Benko was not harmed, said Elyria police Lt. Andy Eichenlaub.

Jim Benko, Philip's brother, of Elyria, told The Morning Journal yesterday that Philip fired one shot but did not hit the assailant.

''I don't think he got him,'' he said. ''I think (the intruder) lucked out.''

Eichenlaub said police had not identified any suspects yesterday. The burglar may have not taken anything from the home.
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In December, two white men broke into the Benkos' home, assaulted Philip and his mother and got away with collectable coins. Philip carried a gun for protection after that beating, Jim Benko said.