DETROIT – An off-duty Wayne County sheriff's deputy fatally shot a suspected armed intruder early Saturday, authorities said.
Police said the man was wearing a black ski mask when he forced his way into the deputy's Southwest Detroit home around 2 a.m.
Detroit police said the woman was awakened by the intruder kicking in her door.
"Not much you can do," said Curran Pickett, who lives on the block.
The homeowner did do something; You can say the would-be robber picked the wrong house; little did he know a Wayne County sheriff's deputy lived there. The deputy grabbed her gun and waited.
"I would have probably did the same thing," Pickett said. "She did what she had to do."
Police say gunfire was exchanged, although it's unclear who fired first. It ended with the veteran deputy killing the 26-year-old intruder; a bullet pierced his chest and heart.
"You come into somebody's house, what'd you expect? And then, you're armed," Pickett said.
Local 4 News is told the deputy was not injured. Neighbors told Local 4 the deputy is doing OK, but many question if she will stay in the home because they know it's never easy to take a life, even if it is self-defense.
"That'll be on your membrane. That's something you have to think about for the rest of your life regardless if you live there or somewhere else," Pickett said.
Neighbors hope this serves as a reminder to anyone thinking about breaking into homes.
"Stay out of people's houses," Pickett said.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. While this appears to be self-defense, Detroit police are still investigating the deadly shooting.
In a statement, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office said the sheriff’s deputy, who is a 15-year police veteran, will be assigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
The names of the sheriff's deputy and home invader were not given.