A former Southern California mayor was shot and wounded at his home Friday night when he interrupted a burglary in progress, police said.
The burglars were on the run and wanted for murder, police said.
"I heard a loud pop," said Karl Spoentgen, neighbor of the victim.
Spoentgen said he then saw his neighbor leaning against his front door, bleeding.
"He was bleeding down his side," Spoentgen said.
The victim had arrived to his house in the 8200 block of Denver Street in Ventura just before 8 p.m. when he encountered an intruder who opened fire on him, according to the Ventura Police Department.
Officers were summoned and found the victim suffering from non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.
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Witnesses said they saw four men take off running down the street, and hop into a parked car.
The victim's family identified him as a former mayor. They asked NBC4 to not name him due to safety concerns.
