- Los Angeles police officers were called to reports of a break-in at an address in the Granada Hills neighborhood Saturday morning
- Four suspects broke into a home and allegedly threatened the homeowner with a weapon
- But then the homeowner shot one of the suspects, who died at the scene
A homeowner shot and killed a home invasion suspect while a grandmother and toddler were inside the home early Saturday morning in Los Angeles. This is the fifth such crime reported in the area in 10 days.
Officers were called to a home in the Granada Hills section of the San Fernando Valley, north of Beverly Hills, around 5 a.m. Saturday after someone reported a “Hot Prowl” – a break-in where the homeowner was present.
“Officers’ preliminary investigation determined that approximately three to four armed men in their 20s entered the home with the intent to burglarize,” LAPD officials said.
“A suspect pointed a gun at the victim and while the suspects were in the residence, the victim produced a firearm and a shooting ensued.”
One of the suspects – a man – was struck by gunfire and died at the scene.
The man was taken in for questioning, but it is unclear whether charges have been filed against him
The name of the deceased burglar has not been released.
The other three suspects fled the scene and have not yet been identified. However, police said a “blood trail” suggested one of them had been injured.
A grandmother and a toddler also lived in the house at the time.
A video from the crime scene shows the unnamed male homeowner being arrested by police during the initial investigation. However, it is unknown whether charges have been filed against him.
LAPD Valley Bureau Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said the investigation is ongoing and that it will be up to the district attorney’s office whether to file charges in the case.
“Anyone who faces a deadly threat and is perceived to be a deadly threat in their home has the right to protect themselves,” Hamilton said.
Police say they found the suspect’s car, a black BMW sedan, as the group fled the area on foot.
Neighbors were alarmed by the incident but told KTLA they were not surprised.
Pat Walsh said: “There were burglaries in this area every day.”
“So I’m not surprised at all. It was a real problem. The residents here are fed up.’
The police were called in the early hours of Saturday morning
Other neighbors were happy that the victims were neither injured nor killed.
“The suspects messed with the wrong homeowner,” said a neighbor.
“Hopefully this will stop them.” “It makes me feel good that people are able to protect their homes and stop these guys.”
It follows a spate of burglaries in the area, with burglars breaking into homes when they think the residents are out for dinner.
Deputy Chief Hamilton said the gang that attempted this robbery is likely connected to other similar crimes in the area.
“Our Devonshire investigators have been investigating a number of burglaries in this area, concentrated north and south of Rinaldi, and we believe this incident is related to this series of crimes,” Hamilton said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.