Fort Worth, Texas

From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram of December 19, 2006

Resident says he shot man during break-in

A man was in surgery Tuesday after he was blasted with a shotgun during what the shooter described as a break-in at an east-side residence, police said.

The shooting occurred at 5:55 a.m. in the 4600 block of East Berry Street, said Lt. Dean Sullivan, a Fort Worth police spokesman.

The alleged burglar was reportedly in serious condition at John Peter Smith Hospital, Sullivan said.

A resident told police that he was in the process of moving out of the home, Sullivan said.

He said he was concerned about his property because he had heard of recent burglaries in the neighborhood and went to the house with a friend to check on things, Sullivan said.

The man told police he heard a noise coming from inside a detached garage, Sullivan said. He said he grabbed a shotgun, went inside and found a burglar, Sullivan said.

"It appears the property owner shot the suspect who, he said, was in the process of stealing from him," Sullivan said. "We don't know yet if there was any kind of altercation."

Police will continue investigating the case, Sullivan said.

"It's too soon to tell if criminal charges will be filed against the property owner," he added. "We'll gather facts and evidence and present it to a reviewing district attorney.

"Of course, there is a potential, depending on the separate investigation of the apparent burglary, that the suspect could be charged with burglary of a building, which is a state jail felony."