The son who shot a robbery suspect with a stun gun at their Encinitas nursery was coming to the rescue of his 62-year-old father, who was being choked with a shotgun, officials said Monday.
The San Diego Sheriff's Department released details Monday on the events that led to the confrontation at the family's one-acre property on La Costa Avenue.
The robbery suspect, identified as 43-year-old Chuck Neil, a transient from Escondido, was first spotted on the Westons' property through surveillance video on Saturday morning, SDSO Sgt. Joe Tomaiko said.
Fred Weston grabbed a shotgun and confronted the man. At one point, Niel grabbed the shotgun, and one round was fired into the air.
As the two men wrestled over the shotgun, Niel punched Fred Weston in the face several times, SDSO said. Fred Weston's nose was broken and he fell to the ground where Niel began choking him with the shotgun.
That's when Fred Weston's 19-year-old son, Joseph, who was watching the confrontation over surveillance cameras, armed himself with a TASER stun gun and rush to his father's aid.
Joseph Weston shot Niel with the stun gun, forcing him to the ground, Tomaiko said. The family then tied up the robbery suspect with a belt until SDSO deputies arrived.
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SDSO found copper cable from the Westons' property on Niel, Tomaiko said.
Niel was taken to the hospital for treatment and booked into the Vista Detention Center on robbery and grand theft charges.
Fred Weston was treated for his injuries at a local hospital and has since been released.
The sheriff's department initially described the incident as a burglary but later deemed the crime a robbery.
