80-year-old homeowner fatally shoots burglar

Published May 26, 2010 at 3:03 p.m.

An 80-year-old man shot and killed an armed man who broke into his East Garfield Park home this morning, police said.

The intruder, who police believe had a gun, broke into the family two-flat in the 600 block of North Sawyer Avenue about 5:20 a.m., said Chicago Police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli.

The resident was awakened by the break-in and confronted theburglar, Mirabelli said. The homeowner shot the intruder, who was deadon the scene, police said. The intruder was in his 30s, Mirabelli said.

The homeowner and his wife, also in her 80s, were not harmed, officials said.

Neighbors said the homeowner is a retired Army veteran and his wife a retired nurse. They said the man made it known in the neighborhood that he kept a gun handy in case of intruders.

A weapon was found at the scene, Mirabelli said.

Harrison Area detectives were interviewing the homeowner.

-- Staff report

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