Man shot three times while confronting intruder in Santa Rosa
SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KTVU) - A man is recovering after being shot three times at his home in Santa Rosa by an intruder on Thursday morning.
At approximately 4:05 a.m. officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in the area of Dutton Avenue and W. 3rd Street for a victim with a gunshot wound.
Responding officers found a 27-year-old man suffering from several gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital where he was in serious but stable condition.
Investigators said the man and his girlfriend woke up after hearing noise coming from the balcony of their second-floor apartment unit.
The man armed himself and went to see what the disturbance was, officers said. The man went out to the balcony area where he found a stranger who was also armed. Both men fired at each other, authorities said, but it's unclear It's unclear how many rounds were fired. The victim was hit three times.
"At this point, we're unclear as to why he wanted to break into this residence. There doesn't appear to be any signs of marijuana grow or anything extra in the house," Santa Rosa Police Seargent Kyle Philp said.
The suspect escaped and got into a pickup truck in the parking lot. Police don't know if the suspect was shot during the confrontation.
Based on evidence found at the scene, investigators believe the suspect was trying to break into the apartment. It hasn't been determined whether the suspect acted alone or had an accomplice.
Police said the victim's gun was properly registered and he was within his right to defend himself.
"I don't believe the victim did anything wrong in this instance but we're still investigating the incident," Philp said.