Homeowner shoots burglar

Police said a burglar has been taken to the hospital after being shot by a homeowner. Officers said the man was reportedly trying to break into a house when he awoke both homeowners.

Friday, April 11th 2008, 2:05 pm

By: News 9

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

MOORE, Okla. -- A would-be burglar will find it painful sitting down for a while. He picked the wrong house to break into, and the wrong couple to try to rob.

It all happened in Moore Friday morning, at a home on Odom Way.

The crime occurred when a man broke into a home he thought no one was empty with no one home--he was wrong.

Police said the man who broke in, armed with a knife, suddenly found him faced with the couple that lived there. Police said both had firearms.

"We were just sitting in the house here, about 10:00 or 10:30, and heard a big bang and I told my wife it sounded like a gunshot," neighbor, Kent Watson said.

"When police got here both homeowners had the suspected individual at gunpoint out at the curb of the residence," Moore police Sgt. Todd Strickland said. "We do have a 38-year-old, black male that has been transported to the hospital with a bullet wound to his buttocks."

Police located the firearms on the grounds and searched the lawn for spent shells. Nothing like this has ever happened in this new housing addition.

"I am not worried about this at all, cause this can happen anywhere," Wendy Clark with Best Homes said.

The wounded man was taken to a local hospital. Police think he had an accomplice, who sped away after the shooting.

The suspect, Alex Downing, has been arrested. Downing has a previous criminal record and has spent time in jail.

Witnesses told police the car that drove off after the shooting was a light green Nissan Maxima, and they described the driver as a black male with a stocky build.

Moore Police ask if you can help locate the car or the man to call them at 793-5171.