Tulsa Police: Homeowner Shoots, Kills Intruder

Tulsa Police are investigating a shooting in a neighborhood near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Apache that left a man dead.

Police said a homeowner shot an intruder who kicked in the door of the home in the 300 block of East 27th Court North around 10:30 a.m. Sunday. A man who lives at the home shot the intruder in the chest, according to Corporal Phil Snow.

The man then managed to run to a vehicle and drive a short distance before hitting a parked car about halfway down the block.

Police said the man was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. He had been shot four times, records show.

The suspect had a child in his vehicle, according to police. She was taken to the hospital where she was united with family members, Walker said. She was not injured.

Police haven't named the suspect but say he is 44 years old and the ex-boyfriend of a woman who is staying at the house. 

Homicide Sergeant Dave Walker said a burglary had been reported earlier Sunday at the home. Someone broke a window of the house and stole several televisions.

"The burglary report does not link the person shot to this burglary, however; there is some indication that he may have been responsible," Walker said.

Officers at the scene said at this point in the investigation, it appears the homeowner was defending his life and property. They believe three people were at the house when the home invasion took place.

Walker said the man had knocked on the door and spoken to the man who lives there. They "had words," and the homeowner shut the front door.

"The person shot then kicked in the front door and entered the residence," he said. That's when the homeowner fired several shots at the intruder.

"We have interviewed the resident/shooter and he has been released pending further investigation and a review of the investigation by the District Attorney’s office," Walker said in a news release.