CHEHALIS, Wash. -- A man who broke into an occupied home early Sunday in Chehalis was shot by the home's owner, the Lewis County Sheriff's Office says.
Deputies arrived at the home shortly before 5 a.m. to find one man with a gunshot wound.
Deputies say a 51-year-old man broke into the home where a 24-year-old man and his wife were sleeping. The owner called 911, then armed himself with a pistol while waiting for deputies to arrive.
At one point, the suspect charged down a hallway toward the homeowner, who fired a shot, hitting the suspect. The two men then became involved in struggle until the suspect was able to break free.
The homeowner held the suspect at gunpoint until deputies arrived.
KING 5 spoke with a man who also saw the suspect Sunday morning, rummaging through boxes on his patio. The man chased him away.
Brad Reynolds, a retired cop, runs the neighborhood watch.
"I think it proves the point that we need guns," he said. "I am armed. I am always armed."
"Everybody involved in the scenario last night was part of our neighborhood watch program with the exception of the guy laying in Harborview with a bullet in him,” he said.
Reynolds set up the watch because of a house he believes has had a steady stream of bad tenants. The suspect was living there, and told police he was on meth.
A woman who answered the door Sunday had no comment.
The home is a reason why most people there say they have guns.
Neighbors were warned about the person in the shooting just hours before. The watch said, watch out.
Reynolds sent an e-mail Saturday, notifying others the suspect had moved in and to be aware. That he hadn't done anything wrong, but he has a criminal history.
"Twelve hours later, he's breaking into homes and getting himself shot,” said Reynolds. "I'm sorry a guy got shot. Nobody wants to see somebody get shot. But if you're going to break into a house on this street, it's not a good idea,” said Reynolds.
The suspect was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he was listed in stable condition. He faces charges of burglary and assault.
