A Texas teen is being praised by neighbors for protecting his grandmother’s home from a burglary attempt early Wednesday morning after he shot and killed one of two suspects.
The break-in occurred in Baytown just after 5:30 a.m. when the 18-year-old told police he heard someone coming into the home. He called 911, grabbed a shotgun and found the two men in the living room, according to KHOU-TV.
When the two suspects did not put their hands up as the teen ordered, he shot at both. KHOU reported that one of the suspects, later identified as 40-year-old Charles Allen Dixon, died on site, while the other was wounded and ran away.
The second suspect, 26-year-old Michael McDaniel, showed up at a local hospital later for treatment. The women who drove him to the hospital are being questioned by police as well.
Suspect Michael McDaniel was only wounded after being shot by the young adult. McDaniel later showed up at a hospital for treatment and was transferred to another in critical condition. Charges against him for his involvement in the attempted robbery are pending. (Photo: Baytown Police via Houston Chronicle)
“He was in fear of his life, that’s the main thing,” Baytown Police Department Det. Edgar Elizondo told KHOU. “Situations like this we will see more often. More Texans arm themselves and we have a right to protect our property.”
Neighbors too say they think the young adult did the right thing.
“He did good, he did right, he did his job,” said Abe Garcia, according to the local news outlet.
“They probably were thinking they were coming into an empty house, which they weren’t. The grandson was there,” neighbor Barbara Carr told KTRK-TV of the incident, noting that the same home had recently been broken into.
