Homeowner shoots driver of stolen vehicle — and gets arrested, jailed on suspicion of aggravated assault
A St. Paul, Minnesota, homeowner was arrested and jailed on suspicion of aggravated assault after police said he shot the driver of stolen vehicle who fled from the scene of a Tuesday morning crash, KMSP-TV reported.
What happened?
Officers tried to stop a stolen vehicle that was being driven recklessly and fleeing cops, speeding down side streets and alleyways, St. Paul Police Department spokesperson Mike Ernster told the station, adding that officers soon lost sight of the vehicle.
But police then learned of a crash involving the stolen vehicle, KMSP noted, and several vehicle occupants reportedly fled into the neighborhood.
As police were searching for vehicle's occupants, they heard gunfire — and soon found the driver of the stolen vehicle lying in the yard of a house, the station said. He'd been wounded by multiple gunshots, KMSP said.
A man armed with a handgun identified himself as the homeowner and was found with the driver, the station said.
The 36-year-old homeowner cooperated with police and surrendered the gun, Ernster told KMSP, adding that the driver of the stolen vehicle was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
'No trespassing. Violators will be shot. Survivors will be shot again!'
A sign in the window of the home where the shooting occurred reads, "No trespassing. Violators will be shot. Survivors will be shot again!" the station reported.
The stolen vehicle's other occupants haven't been located, KMSP said, adding that the driver was wanted in St. Paul for a separate auto theft.
In its video report of the incident, KMSP said it's not known if the homeowner has a permit for the gun, if the driver of the stolen vehicle was armed, or if the shooting was justified.
A woman claiming to be the mother of the stolen vehicle's driver said her son was ordered off the property, turned to comply, but was shot three times in the arm, rear end, and leg, the station added in its video report.
The below report aired prior to the homeowner's arrest:
