Police Investigate Southside Shooting

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY - For the second time in less than a week a would-be thief has been shot and killed in the act of committing the crime.

The latest incident happened Tuesday morning at a home on SW 57th near Pennsylvania Avenue.

This homeowner is getting a lot of support from his neighbors who say he did the right thing. He shot and killed an intruder inside his home.

The shooting happened inside the home shortly before noon.

"I believe it's a shame that someone lost their life behind a TV, but on the other hand, if he wasn't invited, he shouldn't have went in," neighbor Micki Marshall said.

Police say the homeowner came home to find a blue truck with a TV in the back parked in his driveway. The homeowner didn't recognize the truck.

"He went inside, saw an individual in there he did not recognize and confronted this individual," Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Gary Knight. "At some point the resident produced a handgun and ended up shooting and killing the person inside the home."

People who live in the neighborhood say home break-ins are a problem.

"The one across the street's been broken into," neighbor Kenneth Garrison said. "So many vacant houses around through here."

Last week, only four blocks from Tuesday's shooting, a clerk inside a pharmacy shot and killed a 16-year-old trying to rob the place.

More on News9.com: Employee Shoots at Robbers: 1 Killed, 1 at Large

Residents say people have no choice but to protect what they have even if it means killing the bad guy.

"I'm glad it happened," Garrison said. "The guy got what he deserved."

Police say they believe the burglar acted alone.

The names of the homeowner and suspect have not been released.

The homeowner was not arrested, and police say they will forward their findings to the district attorney who will determine if charges should be filed.