Intruder killed by homeowner
Man shot him after dialing 911 for police
By Jennifer Dobner and Brady Snyder
dobner@desnews.com and bsnyder@desnews.com.

Deseret News staff writers
Monday, May 22, 2000
Originally published at: http://www.desnews.com

WEST CENTRAL CITY -- A man trying to break into a West Central City home was shot and killed by the male resident of the home.
The intruder, who remained unidentified Monday morning, used his fists to break through the sliding glass door of the residence, in the 200 South block of 1300 West, about 2:40 a.m. and enter the house, Salt Lake Police Lt. Jim Jensen said.

The residents, a 57-year-old man and his 63-year-old wife, who were awakened by their barking dog, spotted the man outside and shouted at him to leave, but he responded by shouting at the couple in Spanish, the couple's daughter said Sunday night. After dialing 911 for police, the husband retrieved a handgun kept in the home and loaded it, police said.

When the intruder entered the home, he followed the woman down a hallway and was confronted by the husband, who fired at least two shots at point-blank range, Jensen said. The intruder was hit by one bullet and pronounced dead at LDS Hospital, Jensen said.
The dead man had been tentatively identified by police Monday morning, but his name was not being released pending that verification, Lt. Jim Hill said. The homeowners told police they did not recognize the man.

Sunday's shooting, which is classified as a homicide, will be screened with the district attorney, who will ultimately decide if the action was self-defense or warrants criminal charges, Hill said.

"From the standpoint of the police, at this point, it looks like a justifiable situation," he said. "The Utah Code is pretty specific."

Police are unsure if the dead man broke into the home in order to rob it or with the intent to harm the residents. It is possible the man was in the wrong place or may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Hill said. The State Medical Examiner's Office was to perform an autopsy on the man's body Monday.

The couple's family, who wish to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, said Sunday they believe their parents would have been killed if not for the gun. "If they were unarmed, they wouldn't be here today. I don't think (the intruder) was there to steal anything, but he was there to hurt them," their daughter said. "Unfortunately, the elderly are the ones that often get victimized. I don't think they should be forced to put bars on their windows, but that's how older people have to live nowadays. We are definitely pro-gun rights. I'm going to go get one tomorrow."

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