2 young burglary suspects shot by property owner
CHICAGO -- Two boys were injured after a property owner shot the two suspected burglars in Chicago's West Woodlawn neighborhood.
The man, 61, arrived at his property, which is being remodeled, at about 8:26 a.m. in the 6600-block of South Rhodes, police said. He noticed that the back door was damaged and open and found the two boys inside. He then fired shots.
"What would you do if you walked in your apartment? And what would you do if you had seen? You would protect yourself. They are on your property," Steven Jackson, a neighbor, said.
The suspects are two boys ages 16 and 11. The 16-year-old was shot in the back and arm. He was taken to Stroger Hospital. The 11-year-old was taken to Comer Children's Hospital with lacerations. Investigators said the property owner has a license to carry.
"He was in order. This was his place. You have no right to come take something from someone else," Clay Coleman, a neighbor, said.
Neighbors say the 61-year-old man has been remodeling the apartment building for months getting it ready for tenants.
"He has been putting his backbone into it for the last seven months," Coleman said.
"He is a good guy. He is a Christian brother. He goes to church. He tried to help a lot of guys in the neighborhood," Jackson said.
The property owner did not want to speak on camera, but his family is calling it "an unfortunate situation."
Police said charges are pending against the two boys.
