Detroit police: Homeowner fires at intruders, kills 1

DETROIT – It's a scenario Detroit police are becoming all too familiar with: homeowners protecting their property and their lives from intruders, with any force necessary. 

That scenario that played out Wednesday morning on the city's west side.

"Somebody is going to come in like that and they are looking for trouble. They certainly aren't looking for breakfast," said Annie Morissette.

Morissette's morning started with a panicked phone call her from 47-year-old son, Kenneth.

"He said, 'mom, I have a problem. There's trouble.' And I said, 'I am on my way,'" Morissette said.

Here's what Local 4 has learned: Police have confirmed that two 19 year old's, a male and a female, broke into the 47-year-old home in the 19000 block of Asbury Park just before 6 a.m.

That's when, police said, the homeowner did what he had to do to defend himself.

"The 47-year-old had a rifle and fired shots, fired several shots," said Sgt. Michael Woody. "He fatally wounded the 19-year-old male, who was pronounced dead at the hospital."

The female suspect was also shot. She is recovering from a gunshot wound to the leg.

Neighbors said the area is typically quiet and filled with children. Police are checking to see if these teens may have caused trouble with the homeowner before.

"Oh, he knew them, he knew the young lady. I don't know about the guy," Annie Morissette said.

The homeowner's front window was broken, shattered and smashed up. That window will be a focus for police as they work to determine how the teens broke into the home, or how they got out after shots were fired.

"The intruders were found outside of the home, but evidence suggests they were shot inside,"  Woody said. "We want people to get the message, it's not just us, the police, you have to worry about. Our citizens are armed and will protect themselves and we are with them."

At this point, no charges have been filed. The 47-year-old homeowner was taken in for questioning. The prosecutor's office will ultimately decide if the shooting was justified or not.