Encino homeowner hospitalized after being mistakenly shot by security guard
An Encino homeowner was hospitalized after she was mistakenly shot by a private security guard who was reportedly responding to a burglary alarm at the home on Sunday.
The shooting happened at around 8 p.m., at a residence in the 5200 block of Encino Avenue, according to Los Angeles Police Department officials.
The woman, who has not been identified, was hospitalized after being shot in the stomach.
Family members have hired an attorney to handle the incident, they tell KCAL News.
As their investigation continues, police have taken the security guard into custody for questioning. The guard works for ACS Security, a company that provides thousands of Los Angeles homes with around the clock protection, according to their website.
He was released from police custody on Wednesday. According to his attorney, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has declined to file criminal charges pending additional investigation.
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for ACS Security issued a statement to KCAL News that read:
"On December 31, 2023, one of our clients in the Los Angeles area was shot. This occurred after one of our employees responded to the client's home. Our hearts go out to the client and the client's family. We have launched an investigation into this matter, and are cooperating with law enforcement authorities."
Neighbors say that home invasions seem to be on the rise in the area, but that they still can't believe that the woman was shot.
"An 80-year-old woman getting shot, it's unthinkable for security to do that," said Eilanit Kashani. "I mean we don't know that the full story is, but it's still not okay."
They say that the uptick in crimes might be an indicator as to why so many homes in the neighborhood are now up for sale.
"I just don't think that we're safe, to be honest," Kashani said. "We live in a very unsafe world. We've been on edge because the world is just not safe."
There was no further information provided.
