Police: Homeowner, 84, Shoots 1 Home Invasion Suspect, Gets Into Scuffle With Second
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ELLPORT BOROUGH (KDKA) -- One home invasion suspect is dead and a second is on the run after breaking into a man's home overnight in Lawrence County.
It all started around 1:30 a.m. at 84-year-old Don Lutz's home on Jameson Avenue in Ellport Borough.
Lutz, who says he sleeps with a gun under his pillow, was woken up by the sounds of shattering glass and two intruders barging through his front door.
He said he got out of bed, and was confronted by one of the suspects.
"I was in bed sleeping, they woke me up," said Lutz. "Woken up to them busting in on my front door, and I went out in the hallway in the dark, and I met this one guy, and he went to grab me and that's when I shot him."
The man who was shot died on the kitchen floor.
Lutz said he then got into a scuffle with the second intruder, who was eventually able to run from the home. He is still not in custody.
"Oh yeah, I would have shot him. They dropped the gun out of my hands, It was laying on the floor. I would have shot him, too," said Lutz.
Ellwood City Police and Pennsylvania State Police are investigating.
Authorities were on the scene into the night collecting evidence. Lutz was taken to the police station where he was questioned.
"At this time, it appears to be justified. We will take the evidence and go review it with the District Attorney's Office and determine, let him make the final determination," said Ellwood City Police Lt. David Kingston.
The homeowner says police never found the bullet inside his home, but they did find one casing. He said he hopes they catch the second suspect fast.
