Woodbridge, Virginia

From the Manassas Journal-Register of May 31, 2007

Man shoots suspected burglar

A suspected burglar was shot in the head Wednesday after police say the unknown man tried to break into a house in Woodbridge, according to Prince William County police.

The man, who police believe may be responsible for two burglary attempts at the house in the 1900 block of Old Post Terrace, fled from the scene after being shot, leaving a trail of blood, said Officer Erika Hernandez, Prince William police spokeswoman.

The first burglary attempt was around 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Hernandez said. Police responded to the house and found that a rear window had been tampered with.

Then around noon Wednesday, police say a man tried to break into the same residence by breaking the window that had been tampered with the day before, Hernandez said.

Police said the homeowner fired a handgun at the burglar, striking him in the head, Hernandez said. When police arrived, the burglar was gone.

The burglar is described as a thinly built white man in his early 20s, with blond hair who is approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds.

The victim was not injured during the incident, Hernandez said, adding that at this time no charges have been brought against the homeowner.