Suspect Fatally Shot During Break-In At Pontiac Home Previously Targeted In Shooting
PONTIAC (WWJ) - Three people are being questioned by police after a burglar was shot dead while breaking into a home in Pontiac.
The incident happened just before midnight Monday at a home in the 60 block of W. Longfellow Avenue, near Baldwin and Columbia avenues.
Oakland County Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene after getting a 911 call from the 23-year-old gun owner. He told police he fired shots through a bathroom window and the suspect, who was trying to break into the home, was now lying on the ground.
The suspect, also 23, suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to McLaren Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
All of the occupants in the home -- including the 67-year-old homeowner, his 23-year-old son and the third resident who fired the shots -- were separated and taken back to the police station for interviews.
The weapon, a .45 caliber registered to the resident who fired the shots, was recovered at the scene and secured for evidence.
The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office is now reviewing the case for possible charges.
Police say the home had previously been shot up on January 10, when it was struck six times during a drive-by shooting. A neighboring home was also struck three times. It's not yet clear, however, if the attempted break-in is connected to the shooting.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 1-888-TURN-1-IN.
