Homeowner shoots intruder in Issaquah

ISSAQUAH, wash. — A 56-year-old Issaquah man shot an intruder in his house Friday afternoon.

It happened in Issaquah's Montreux neighborhood. According to police, the suspect rang the doorbell several times. The homeowner looked out the window and didn't recognize him so he didn't answer the front door. Seconds later, investigators say the man smashed the glass front door and got inside. That's where he came face to face with the homeowner. The two men fought, and they ended up outside. The homeowner was armed and fired two shots. Detectives say one of the bullets hit the 25-year-old suspect in the shoulder.

Ten-year-old Madeline Urban was in her backyard, "I heard a gunshot and then I heard really panicky screaming. It's just scary cause it's just right across the street. It would take the man five minutes to come up to our door and do the same thing."

The suspect was rushed to Harborview where he'll be treated for the gunshot wound. He's being guarded by police until he's recovered enough to be booked into the King County Jail.

Investigators say the homeowner was very cooperative. He's not in trouble with the law, Scott Behrbaum with Issaquah police told us, "If someone's inside your house and you're in imminent danger, you have the right to protect yourself."

Neighbors were glad he did. "We have guns and we're happy he was able to do something and it came out positive for him," said Tom Urban, Madeline's father.

Urban also told us it's a reminder to be ready, "I haven't shot a gun in decades; neither has my wife. But we're looking at taking up how to learn how to shoot a gun, how to shoot it properly. Not just because of this, because of things that have happened over the last year or two."

Neighbor Susanna Wilken was nervous. She said her teenaged son was home alone at the time of the shooting.

She supported the neighbor's use of force, "That person is a criminal and should never have walked into that house. I say he had every right to do that. Sadly, that person could have had a gun and shot him."

Police and investigators from the crime lab worked at the house for more than 10 hours. They collected evidence and took pictures.

Investigators found a motorcycle tipped over on the porch. It turns out it was stolen from Puyallup two weeks ago. The man who owns the bike came to pick it up Friday night around 10:30. He was glad to get it back. It was scratched up and the ignition had been punched.

The 25-year-old suspect is from Tacoma. He spent Friday night at Harborview, and when he is well enough he'll be booked into the King County Jail.

The homeowner did not break any laws. He will be able to come home when police are done investigating.

KIRO