A suspect was shot to death by a homeowner during an attempted home invasion robbery Saturday morning in Granada Hills, authorities said.
Officers were dispatched at about 5 a.m. to a home on the 11400 block of Swinton Avenue, near Rinaldi Avenue, after reports of shots fired. When they got there, they found the homeowner, who’d told them that three men broke into his house.
One of the suspects allegedly pointed a weapon at the homeowner while the suspects were inside the residence. The homeowner then produced a handgun and a shooting occurred, police said.
According to authorities, the homeowner shot multiple rounds at the intruders after they entered the home.
Why was this case so important?
Because this made a lot of Californians to use their Second amendment to protect themselves.
The residents voice concerns over the rise in crime in the neighborhood and how they must take measures to defend themselves.
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A neighbor spoke about the incident and said he was not surprised the shooting happened because burglaries occur daily in the neighborhood.
“I’m not surprised. I’m not surprised at all that this has happened. It’s been a real problem here. The residents here are fed up,” neighbor Pat Walsh said. He said the frequency of the burglaries led to the title, “dinner-time burglaries.”
Hamilton acknowledged the frequency of burglaries in the area, saying he doesn’t know why specific areas are being targeted.
“Our Devonshire detectives have been investigating a number of burglaries in this area that have been centered north and south of Rinaldi and we believe this incident is related to that series of crimes,” Hamilton said. He continued saying that these suspects may be responsible for a string of similar burglaries in the area.
Police also recovered a black BMW sedan from the scene, which is said to be the suspect vehicle that may also provide additional evidence to help locate the suspects who fled.
As to the homeowner who shot the would-be burglar, Hamilton said once police have concluded their investigation and submitted their report, it will be up to the District Attorney’s Office to make the ultimate determination if criminal charges will be filed or not against the homeowner.
