OAKLAND, Calif. — A 77-year-old California man is being held on suspicion of murder after allegedly shooting and killing a suspected burglar who was attempting to break into his home. The incident occurred on the east side of Oakland, an area that has struggled with high crime rates in recent years.
According to police, two men and a woman arrived at the homeowner’s residence in a stolen vehicle. They made several attempts to gain entry into the home, ultimately scaling the backyard fence to try and gain access.
It was at this point that the homeowner shot at the alleged burglars, killing one of them, according to police. While the homeowner has not been charged with a crime, he is being held in custody pending the filing of charges by prosecutors within the next 48 hours.
Police have stated that the homeowner’s refusal to give a statement is part of the reason for his arrest. Acting Deputy Chief of Investigations Frederick Shavies explained that without an explanation for the shooting, authorities were left with limited evidence to work with, citing the recovery of a stolen gun at the scene as a factor in the man’s arrest.
The name of the victim has not been publicly released, with police seeking to notify the family first. The homeowner’s identity has also not been disclosed. The incident remains under investigation, with police continuing to gather information and evidence.
