Man Shot After Breaking Into Relative’s Home For The Third Time

WEDDINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA – A man was shot by a relative after breaking into their home and making threats of violence toward the occupants. Deputies from the Union County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 6000 block of Bluebird Hill Lane Wednesday to a reported breaking and entering of a home.

When deputies arrived on scene the suspect had already fled. One of the homeowners identified him as Tony Sanders II, 34, of Charlotte. They said that Sanders forced his way into the home and began threatening them with violence. Armed with a shotgun, the homeowner fired a single round, which struck Sanders in the leg. The occupants of the home were not injured.

Sanders was located a short time later by Union County deputies and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers on Providence Road, just inside Mecklenburg County. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries and subsequently arrested. He is being held in the Union County jail, charged with one count of felony breaking and entering with the intent to terrorize or injure occupant, and one count of second-degree trespass.

Sanders was apparently looking to score a hat trick, as he has been arrested on at least two other occasions since 2019 for breaking into the same home. On his most recent visit last September, deputies told him not to return to the home. Public records indicate that Sanders lives at the address, but the homeowners “have made it clear that he is not a resident of their home,” according to a sheriff’s spokesman.

Commenting on the incident in a news release, Sheriff Eddie Cathey said, “I am glad that the homeowners were not hurt during this incident and that they were prepared to protect themselves. The investigation into this incident was handled professionally and efficiently and this family can rest a little easier knowing that the suspect is in our jail.”