El Cerrito resident shoots alleged home intruder

EL CERRITO, Calif. - An El Cerrito resident shot an alleged home intruder Tuesday morning, wounding the suspect, according to police.

The shooting occurred about 10:30 a.m. in the 1800 block of Elm Street, according to the El Cerrito Police Department.

The resident fired on the man after he entered the home unlawfully, striking him in the leg and abdomen, officers said.

The suspect, identified as William Nidever, 56, was airlifted to a trauma center with life-threatening injuries.

Police said the resident believed Nidever, who is homeless, was armed, but investigators later determined the suspect was not carrying a weapon but a flashlight.

"The resident feared for his life and shot at Mr. Nidever twice with a shotgun," the police department said in a press release.

Neighbors were stunned to see officers combing the area.

Nikkio Hunt said, "This never happened in my neighborhood. The quietest neighborhood I've ever lived in."

The department plans to submit the burglary case to the district attorney once Nidever recovers.