TACOMA, Wash. -- Tacoma police are calling a fatal shooting self defense after a homeowner shot two burglars who were trying to break into his home, killing one burglar and wounding the other.
The incident happened around 4:40 a.m. Monday at a home in the 400 block of South 38th Street.
Neighbor Trudi Mann woke up to sounds of people arguing next door, then heard two gunshots.
"A little before four, I heard gunshots and at that point called police," she said. "It's scary. My kids are grown, but I told my son I'd be a little concerned. He keeps our garage really locked up."
Tacoma police said the homeowner was woken up by dogs barking. He had been a victim of burglaries recently and went outside to investigate.
The man spotted two burglars trying to break into his garage and home.
"He was armed, held them at gun point. And at one point while he was detaining them, both subjects charged at him. He fired at both and hit both of them, " said Mark Fulghum, Tacoma Police Department.
Officers said one of the suspects died at the scene. The other suspect was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
"You get what you ask for. If you're coming to break into a house, that homeowner should have the right to defend himself," said Marcia Swindle, neighbor.
Several neighbors said they have dogs and guns for protection. They also have formed a neigbhorhood watch group to keep their block safe.
"If you have neighborhood pull together, it's important. We stand up. We can't stop who drives through, but at least keep in touch with one another and care," said Swindle.
As for police, ideally they'd like homeowners to wait for officers to arrive, but in this case, they said it was understandable that the homeowner was trying to defend himself.
"He was left with no choice but to defend himself," said Fulghum.
Tacoma police said the homeower had a medical kit and tried to help one of the suspects he shot, but that person died at the scene.
The other suspect is at St. Joseph's Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
