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Last updated on Thursday, March 29, 2012
(PLEASANT VIEW) - Around 3:35 this morning a man tried to break in to a home at 8122 Sycamore Road in the Pleasant View neighborhood of Shelby County.
Police say the 19 or 20 year-old suspect broke through a panel next to the front door and was reaching inside in an attempt to open the door. That's when the homeowner fired a single shot hitting the suspect in the hip.
The unidentified suspect was taken to Wishard Hospital but was conscious. Detectives plan to interview him at the hospital.
Police believe the man thought he was breaking into a different house. It was unclear if he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Authorities say the homeowner will face no criminal charges. In fact, detectives say he fired the shot reluctantly and had no choice but to shoot the suspect.
There was about a 5 minute delay in the police response to the shooting since, detectives say, the initial 911 call was received by Marion County Dispatch and had to be routed to Shelby County. The neighborhood is very close to the Marion-Shelby County line.
Detective Dan Crafton of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department praised the homeowner for using restraint before firing at the would-be intruder. "He waited till the last possible moment, he didn't fire blindly," Crafton said at the scene. "He waited until the suspect was coming in his house. He was forced to (fire)."
Crafton also credited the homeowner for protecting his family.
Shelby County authorities say the suspect told them that he was actually trying to break into another house, but ended up at the wrong address.
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