Homeowner shoots attempted burglary suspect: Surprise PD
SURPRISE, Ariz. - A homeowner in the west Valley shot a suspect who tried to break into his home early Monday morning, police said.
The shooting happened on April 22 near Waddell and Litchfield Roads.
Surprise Police say two suspects attempted to break into a home. The homeowner opened fire, striking one of the suspects.
Officers arrived at the scene and took both suspects into custody, one of whom was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
One of the suspects was identified as 19-year-old Kason Nelson. The second suspect is a juvenile.
On April 24, police released more information on this case, saying, "During the investigation, detectives learned that the homeowner involved is currently renting to a tenant who knows the suspects. The suspects told investigators, under Miranda Warnings, that they came to visit the tenant. However, Surprise Police detectives, with assistance from the K-9 unit, located a firearm and other items indicating the suspects were intending to commit a burglary."
Nelson was booked into jail and is accused of several felonies. The juvenile suspect was booked into a detention center on suspicion of felony burglary.
‘There is no safe place’
The home invasion victim didn’t want to talk on camera but said the suspects rang his doorbell at 4 a.m. He didn’t answer but says they came in through the back door and cornered him.
He says he did not know who the men were and doesn’t know if his roommates knew them either.
Following the home invasion, crime scene tape was strung across the Surprise neighborhood. Detectives gathered evidence. And police cars were parked in the streets.
Those sights left those who call this area home on edge.
"It’s pretty shocking because this is a neighborhood where you can leave your cars unlocked, nothing like that happens here," a neighbor named Justin said.
Despite investigators saying there’s no threat in the community, neighbors like Nancy McCraven, who lives a few doors down, said, "Why down there? Why that house? What were they looking for?"
Neighbors have questions and concerns.
"It’s quite scary. Quite scary, because usually we don’t have a lot of anything going on here," McCraven said.
A sentiment echoed by her neighbors.
"Lock your windows. Lock up your cars. Keep your cars locked. Get a guard dog," Justin said.
"It's frightening, but it’s happening in all the different neighborhoods," a neighbor named Kathy said. "There is no safe place."
