Published November 24, 2008 11:06 pm - A 15-year-old shot a burglar late Friday night after the burglar and two cohorts broke into the teen’s West Side home, police said Monday.
Teen shoots burglar Intruder smashes window with shotgun
By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com Star Beacon
ASHTABULA — A 15-year-old shot a burglar late Friday night after the burglar and two cohorts broke into the teen’s West Side home, police said Monday.
The teenager and his 14-year-old brother were home alone when three men came to the house, police said. The teens recognized two out three of the men, according to their mother, who spoke with the Star Beacon Monday.
The identities of the teens is not being disclosed because they are juveniles. The identity of their mother is not being disclosed to protect the teens.
When the boys refused to let the men in the house, one of the men took the butt of a shotgun and smashed the window out of the front door, police said.
That’s when the older boy ran upstairs to retrieve his father’s handgun, his mother said.
In the meantime, the intruders told the younger teen they would kill both of them if he didn’t open the door, the mother said.
“They held a gun to his head,” she said.
Sgt. John Koski said the 15-year-old came down the stairs and shot one of the intruders in the leg. The men then took off.
“The bullet went in the leg and out through his buttocks,” the mother said.
The teens’ parents soon returned home from the store and a relative’s house, and police were called to the scene, the mother said.
In the meantime, police received a call from Ashtabula County Medical Center that a 21-year-old city man showed up with a gunshot wound to the leg, Koski said.
“He said a kid accidentally shot him,” he said. “The wound was in the exact place the 15-year-old said he shot the intruder.”
Police arrested and charged the 21-year-old man with aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony; attempted felonious assault and having a weapon under disability, Koski said, noting the suspect is a known felon.
The suspect’s name is being withheld until his arraignment.
As of Monday afternoon, police were securing warrants for the other two suspects, Koski said.
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