Beaumont, Texas

From Beaumont’s TheExaminer.com of September 16, 2006

Home invasion leads to one death

Beaumont Police officers responded to the 6000 block of Major Dr. Sept. 15 at approximately 8:37 p.m. on reports of a home invasion. Once officers arrived at the scene, the alleged perpetrators had already been apprehended … by the victim.

According to the victim, he was in his residence when he heard a knock at the door. When the door was opened, two Hispanic men allegedly forced their way into the home, brandishing knives.

The victim stated that, at that time, the two suspects demanded money. The victim went to the bedroom, followed by one of the suspects, and retrieved some money from the bedside table. The suspect did not notice the handgun belonging to the victim that was also in the bedside table, but the victim did. The suspect then, according to the victim, turned to rummage through the closet, presumably searching for more money.

The victim stated that he ordered the suspect to drop his knife. The second suspect entered the bedroom but would not drop his weapon. The victim fired three shots at the second suspect, wounding him in the left arm, the left leg and the left side. During the commotion, the first suspect retrieved his knife. The victim fired one round at the first suspect, wounding him in the left side of his chest.

Responding officers called EMS to transport the suspects to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital. The suspect who received injuries to the chest received emergency treatment for his injuries but died a short time after arriving at the hospital. The status of the second suspect is unverified.