Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
HONOR — A suspected intruder took a shotgun blast to the legs after a homeowner confronted him, according to the Benzie County sheriff's department.
The homeowner, 79, discovered an intruder inside his pole building at around 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday and grabbed a shotgun, according to a release from the department. He told the intruder to leave, and fired a single shot when the intruder reportedly approached him in a threatening manner.
Sheriff's deputies were called to the Inland Township home to investigate the shooting, and the homeowner watched over the suspect until they and EMTs arrived, according to the release. The 37-year-old suspect was taken to Munson Medical Center with minor injuries to both legs — Benzie County Sheriff Ted Schendel said he was hit with birdshot.
The department will seek a warrant for the suspect's arrest once he's released from the hospital, Schendel said.
The department has turned the investigation over to the county prosecutor's office for review, according to the release.
The homeowner wasn't arrested.
"We believe he was defending himself, he did this in self-defense, but the prosecutor ultimately gets to make that decision," Schendel said.
No one from the prosecutor's office was available for comment late Wednesday afternoon.