Homeowner
likely won't face charges for shooting intruders
http://www.trib.com
September 26, 2000
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - A homeowner who
shot several intruders at his home last week probably will not face criminal
charges, police said.
Carter Westfall, 63, shot and killed one of the
men who forced their way into his home early Friday morning, and wounded at
least two others.
Steven A. Trujillo, 18, of Pueblo, was found
fatally wounded about two blocks from Westfall's home. The two survivors, Toby
Rael, 19, and Thomas Bernal, 22, both of Pueblo, were arrested Friday after they
sought treatment at St. Mary Corwin Hospital in Pueblo. They were being held on
$10,00 bond for investigation of first-degree burglary and conspiracy.
Police indicated Monday that Westfall was
justified in shooting under Colorado law that allows homeowners to use deadly
force to defend their homes.
"We don't anticipate any arrest or
charges, although that determination is made by the district attorney's
office," said Lt. Skip Arms.
Westfall was questioned by police after the
shootings. He told police that the men began pounding on his front door shortly
before 1 a.m. When he unlocked the deadbolt, they broke a chain lock and pushed
their way inside.
The men shoved Westfall to the floor, but
Westfall he shot at them with a .32-caliber pistol and the men fled, police
said.
Westfall told police he didn't know the
intruders, or why they had targeted his house.
"That's kind of a puzzling piece,"
Arms said. "Somehow they knew about him and the fact that he had some guns,
but we haven't been able to piece together what that link is."
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