Homeowner, suspected car prowler exchange gunfire in Tacoma

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TACOMA, Wash. — Tacoma police say a homeowner and a suspected car prowler exchanged gunfire early Wednesday.

Police say a homeowner interrupted someone they believed to be a car prowler at 19th and South Hosmer Street around 4:20 a.m. The homeowner fired several shots and the suspect shot back.

Tacoma detectives said no one was hit by bullets, but the suspect did manage to run away. According to a neighbor, the suspect may have left his car behind. A car with a window blown out was towed away by detectives.

Neighbor Kathleen Fuerst, whose home was hit, laughed nervously as she told KIRO 7 how her family woke to the sound of gunfire. The family sleeps in an RV in the back and weren’t in the house during the gunfight outside.

Though no one was hurt, a nearby home had several bullets go through its walls.

“We were very lucky that we weren’t there. We’ve got three kids living with us, too," said Fuerst.

Detectives said they are hoping to link the bullet and gun information to possible suspects.