Kent, Washington Homeowner Defends Family, Shoots Intruder During Burglary

NEW INFORMATION | ‘I gotta protect my family’: Kent homeowner shoots burglar during break-in

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In the early hours of Tuesday, a homeowner in Kent, Washington, took swift action to protect his family when an intruder broke into his home. The incident occurred around 1:27 a.m. on the 26600 block of 134th Avenue Southeast.

The homeowner, a 34-year-old man, was asleep in his bedroom with his wife when an unknown man entered the room and turned on the light. Describing the moment, the homeowner said he was startled awake to find a tall intruder standing in their bedroom. Thinking quickly, he grabbed items from his nightstand and used them to force the man out of the room, giving him just enough time to retrieve his legally owned firearm.

“I gotta protect my family,” the homeowner later told reporters. With five children in the house, including his own and relatives who were staying with him, he felt an overwhelming need to defend his loved ones. The homeowner fired two rounds at the fleeing intruder but was unsure if he had struck him.

Police responded to the scene and discovered several items stolen from the home.

Hours later, around 3:05 a.m., officers were called to a nearby apartment complex for a medical emergency involving a man with a gunshot wound to the torso.

The injured individual, a 39-year-old Kent resident, matched the description of the burglary suspect and was transported to the hospital for further treatment.

Kent police confirmed that the homeowner legally owned his gun and had a concealed pistol license, and they stated that he acted lawfully in defending his home. Detectives are continuing to investigate the case and are asking local residents to check their home security footage for any additional evidence.

Reflecting on the ordeal, the homeowner said, “This is my safehouse, this is my home. I gotta protect my family. That’s just the end of it.”

The incident highlights the importance of responsible gun ownership and the decided determination to protect one’s family with deadly force during moments of crisis. The homeowner’s decisive actions likely prevented further harm, reinforcing the right to self-defense in dangerous situations.