Metro Police stand in the 2600 block of Amber Crest Street, where a homeowner shot at three alleged burglars breaking into his home. One man was hit in the leg and the other two fled in opposite directions.
Published Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010 | 12:42 p.m.
Updated Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010 | 1:57 p.m.
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Metro Police said a homeowner appears to be justified in shooting one of three intruders who entered his home late this morning in the eastern Las Vegas Valley.
Officers responded at 10:30 a.m. to the report of a burglary with shots fired in the 2600 block of Amber Crest Street, which is near Sahara Avenue and Tree Line Drive.
Police said a man and woman were inside the house when three men aggressively started to ring the doorbell. The homeowner looked through the door's peephole and didn't recognize the men, so he retrieved his gun, police said.
The men then broke into the house through the door, prompting the homeowner to fire. One intruder was shot in the leg and the other two men ran from the house in opposite directions, police said.
The injured man was taken to University Medical Center with injuries that weren't considered life-threatening, police said.
Authorities set up a perimeter in the neighborhood and were continuing to search for the other two men with the help of police dogs. Investigators said they don't believe the three intruders were armed.
Police said the shooting appeared to be justified, adding that the homeowner stayed in his home and didn't pursue the other two men as they ran away. Police described the two suspects as black men in their 20s, one of whom was wearing a white shirt and blue basketball shorts.
Nearby schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution.
Metro spokesman Jay Rivera said it's not uncommon for burglaries to occur during the daytime because suspects assume people are at work.
Police suggest homeowners take care of their landscaping and keep the house well-lit to deter break-ins because it "shows someone cares enough about the home to call police," Rivera said.
This marks the second apparent home invasion this week that ended with a suspect being shot. A homeowner shot a 17-year-old who was allegedly breaking into his home Monday in North Las Vegas. Police found the teen about a half-mile away with a gunshot wound to the shoulder.
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