Houston, Texas

From Houston’s ABC13.com of April 3, 2007

Elderly man shoots teen who allegedly broke into his home

A southeast Houston homeowner opened fire on a suspected burglar this morning -- a man who police say turned out to be one of his own neighbors.

It happened near Avenue H and 76th Street when Bob Manross, 77, was watching television. He heard noises coming from the boats he has in his front yard and when he went to investigate, he heard a loud crash. He then found his 17-year-old neighbor dressed in black standing in his kitchen holding a pistol.

The suspect demanded money from Manross. Manross told him it was in another room, so the suspect waited while his elderly neighbor went to another part of the house. But instead of cash, Manross grabbed a rifle.

"I got my rifle, I cocked it, and I came back to the door before going to the kitchen," Manross told us. "And there he was standing in the door and I shot him right in the middle."

Manross said he had time to reload and shoot more if he wanted to, but he didn't. The suspect, only identified as a 17-year-old Hispanic male, fled the scene and was taken into custody two doors down when police found him lying on his couch.

The suspect was taken to Ben Taub Hospital, where he underwent surgery. We're told he will survive. There's no word of any charges. Manross and his wife, who was also home at the time, were not hurt.