Two Suspects Shot, Third In Jail In Home Burglary Attempt

Dana Hertneky, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A group of accused burglars broke into a home twice in one night. The second time they hit, the homeowner took action and shot two of the suspects.

Police say at about 8:30 Wednesday night, four teens broke into a northwest Oklahoma City home.

The homeowner wasn't home at the time, but when the suspects kicked in his front door, his alarm went off causing him to come home.

"He basically scares off two or three suspects from his house," said Captain Nate Tarber of the Oklahoma City Police Dept.

But about an hour and a half later three suspects came back. Seyanna Whitson said she noticed someone wandering around the front of the house.

"They were coming up, they were walking back and forth," Whitson said.

It wasn't long until she heard gunshots.

Police said the teenagers broke back into the house but this time the homeowner was there.

"That's when the homeowner defended himself and fired several rounds," Tarber said.

Two of the three suspects were hit, one collapsed right outside the house, the other ran back down the greenbelt before collapsing.

"He has that right to protect his property. They break into his home, he has every right to do what is necessary," said Jimmy Snow who lives right across the street. "I'd do the same thing,"

Snow said someone has tried to break into his house three times in the past two years. His truck was also burglarized.

He said it's all the result of teens coming up the greenbelt near his home.

"They're walking, groups of two and three and five and seven, all hours of the night," said Snow.

The two wounded suspects are still reported to be in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said they have the third suspect who avoided the gunfire in custody.

Officers said they have identified the fourth suspect but have not made an arrest.