Suspected Teen Burglars Shot Dead Inside Home By Residents
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Police say that two teens were shot dead after being confronted by an occupant of the home they allegedly tried to burglarize.
"It's happened before, so she's pretty shaken up about the incident that's been going on," said a neighbor who didn't want to be identified.
According to the Sacramento Police Department, officers were called to the 1000 block of Arcade Boulevard around 12:18 a.m. Sunday for a robbery in progress. Once at the scene, however, officers found that two young men had been shot dead.
UPDATE: Self-Defense Shooting Raises Concerns From Suspects' Family And Friends
"Last night I heard a bang, bang, bang. And then within a minute, there were cops everywhere," said the neighbor.
Investigators say one of the residents confronted the suspects during the burglary and fired a firearm in self-defense.
Michele Gigante with Sacramento Police said the occupants of the home are an elderly man and woman, but would not say which of them fired the shots. Neither of them were injured during the break-in.
"At this point, it appears to be self-defense. They were fearing for their safety," said Gigante. "When it comes to use of force, or burglars, or any type of fear for your safety, fear for someone else's safety, you have the right to defend yourself."
The two suspected burglars look to be in their late teens to early 20's, police say.
Neighbors tell CBS13 that the elderly widow is the resident of the home. She had recently asked her brother-in-law to stay at the home because of numerous recent burglaries. Gigante confirmed that the home had a history of other burglaries.
"Being that you're by yourself and your a widower, of course you're going to be scared and upset by yourself in a big, old house like this," said the neighbor.
"If he were gone and I had to protect myself, I would definitely do whatever I needed to do," said another neighbor.
Police have not released the names of the teens who were killed, but say they do not believe they were armed.
The woman and her brother are not facing any criminal charges.