A Maryland resident told police he shot an 18-year-old man who was breaking into his car early Wednesday, Montgomery County Police said.
Officers investigating a report of a theft from a vehicle in the 14000 block of Twig Road in Silver Spring about 3:20 a.m. were flagged down by a man who lives on Rossiter Court. He told police he confronted three people breaking into his car and fired several shots at them.
Then a 911 call reported a shooting victim in the 1300 block of Elm Grove Circle, police said.
An 18-year-old man with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his lower body was taken to a hospital, police said. Officers determined he was one of the suspects shot at by the Rossiter Court resident.
Officers also arrested two male juveniles who are charged, police said.
“Those two juveniles have been charged with theft-related offenses,” Montgomery County Police Officer Rick Goodale said. “The adult has not been charged. Those are still pending.”
The 18-year-old man hasn’t been charged because he is still hospitalized.
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The man who fired at the suspects surrendered his handgun to police.
“He fired multiple rounds at these suspects for breaking into cars, and you have to be accountable for all of those rounds,” Goodale said. “One of those rounds could have gone through a house and hit an innocent party.”
He has not been charged with a crime. That remains under investigation.
Police did not say whether or not the suspects were armed.
Police in Prince George’s County are still investigating a similar shooting in Chillum the day after Christmas. A homeowner shot and killed 32-year-old Deontae Parker, who the homeowner said was breaking into his car. That shot was fired from inside the home.
