When a man tried to enter an Chula Vista home Saturday night, the homeowner opened fire, shooting and injuring him. Now, officials say the victim was intoxicated and thought the stranger’s home was his own.
Chula Vista police said the shooting happened just before 9 p.m. Saturday at a home on Rutgers Avenue, north of Otay Lakes Road and east of State Route 125.
Officers say a man first tried to get in through the front door but was unsuccessful, so he broke down a side gate and tried to break through the sliding glass door in the back of the home.
"He started banging on my door, charging it, trying to break it down. He attempted that a few times," said the homeowner, who did not want to be identified.
The resident was inside the home with his family and told the man several times to leave. According to the homeowner, the intruder shouted back, "This is my house. I'm the owner of this house. Let me in."
The resident told NBC 7 he feared for his life and the lives of his wife and 7-year-old son, so he armed himself with a handgun while his wife called 911 for help.
When the intoxicated man got ready to charge the sliding glass door again, the armed resident said he took action.
"I opened the door, aimed for his leg, fired and he went down. I mean, I didn't want to kill the guy or harm him, but he left me no other alternative, so I'm glad that's as far as it went," said the homeowner.
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The shooting victim was taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital. He’s described as a 41-year-old man.
Chula Vista police are investigating the incident. There is no word on whether charges will be filed.
