Burglar Held at Gunpoint for the Police Tries to Make a Break for It… Boom

GREELEY, CO — A burglary suspect couldn’t keep himself still after allegedly breaking into a couple’s home in Greeley, Colorado.

The homeowner was holding the burglar at gunpoint while his wife called emergency authorities, and police nearly arrived before violence broke out.

Police were greeted with the sound of a single shot fired.

As KDVR reports:

A man suspected of forcing his way into a residence was shot by a homeowner while being held at gunpoint as his wife called 911 early Monday morning, the Greeley Police Department said.

Police were sent to the 1700 block of 15th Street about 5:25 a.m. on a report of a burglary in progress. The homeowner had confronted the suspect inside the residence and was holding him at gunpoint until officers arrived, police said.

As the wife of the homeowner was talking with a 911 dispatcher and as officers arrived, a single gunshot was heard. Police found the suspect with a gunshot wound to the torso. He was taken to North Colorado Medical Center where he went into surgery. He is expected to survive, police said.

Police said evidence and statements are being collected and the shooting is under investigation.

Since we can pretty safely assume the homeowner didn’t fly into a homicidal rage 30 seconds before the police arrived, we can guess that the burglar made an attempt to get up and re-present a threat to the homeowner and his wife.

It’s extremely frustrating to have a situation well-in-hand, where the threat is very nearly neutralized without having to fire a defensive tool, and it all come apart in the end.

Of course, when presented the choice between letting a burglar having his way and utilizing deadly force, the choice is pretty clear.

Stay safe out there, folks.

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