San Antonio Homeowner Defends Property, Suspect Shot and Arrested

A San Antonio homeowner shot a suspected burglar early Thursday morning, defending his property during an attempted break-in. The suspect was found nearby with non-life-threatening injuries and taken into police custody.

SAN ANTONIO, TX (1-minute read) — In the early hours of Thursday morning, a homeowner on the southeast side of San Antonio was forced to defend his property when an alleged burglary was in progress. San Antonio Police responded to a call around 5 a.m. from the 2300 block of Hicks Avenue, where reports of a burglary had been made. Neighbors later mentioned hearing four “muffled gunshots” before police arrived on the scene.

The 43-year-old homeowner reportedly used a handgun to shoot at the intruder, but no injured parties were found in the immediate vicinity of the home. Authorities eventually located the suspected burglar, a 48-year-old male, hiding in a detached garage near Vanderbilt Street, about a block away from the scene. The man had suffered gunshot wounds but was still alive. He was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and later taken into police custody.

At present, the homeowner is not facing any charges, as Texas law permits the use of force in defense of one’s property. However, investigators will continue to examine the situation to determine whether the shooting was justified under state law. Texas has some of the most robust self-defense laws in the nation, including the “Castle Doctrine,” which allows individuals to use deadly force in protecting their home or property when they believe they are in imminent danger.

Safety Tip: Always be sure you understand your state’s self-defense laws before using force. While protecting your property is important, using a firearm carries significant legal responsibilities.