Homeowner, Fearing Burglar, Fatally Shoots Man

Homeowner, Fearing Burglar, Fatally Shoots Man

Posted: 7:31 am PDT April 20, 2010
Updated: 4:08 pm PDT April 20, 2010

ONALASKA, Wash. -- A homeowner fatally shot a man he suspected was trying to steal from him during a confrontation at a house near Onalaska Monday night, the Lewis County Sheriff's Office told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said the homeowner, a 59-year-old man, called the sheriff's office Monday at about 5 p.m. to report that someone had broken into his house and had stolen a checkbook and a power tool.

The homeowner, who lives nearby, apparently decided to stay in the unfinished house Monday night in case the burglar returned, Brown said. The house, in the 2100 block of State Route 508, has been under construction for several years.

At about 9:46 p.m., the homeowner heard a noise, went to the garage to investigate, opened the garage door and saw flashlights shining in his eyes. He opened fire on a man who was outside the garage. The man, a 56-year-old from Morton, was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriff's office said.

A neighbor heard the sound of a woman screaming at about 10 p.m., the neighbor told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Alison Grande.

A 31-year-old Morton woman who was with the man ran away, but later spoke with detectives. She told police she was the man's wife.

The sheriff's office said investigators don't know whether the two were responsible for the earlier burglary or why they were on the property.

The 58-year-old homeowner was not arrested and the prosecutor will decide if he should face charges.

"If someone is in a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily harm, they have a right to use deadly force to protect themselves," said Lewis County Prosecutor Michael Golden. “The force though has to be reasonable to the threat."

The Washington State Patrol is assisting Lewis County sheriff's detectives in the investigation.

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