A man who shot an intruder to his home in Fairfax County, Virginia, on Monday is not expected to be charged, prosecutors say.
The homeowner, whom officials did not name, shot suspect Ethan Redd before dawn Monday in Centreville.
Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Ray Morrogh said Tuesday that he does not anticipate any charges against the shooter.
Officers were called to the 6300 block of Fairfax National Way at 5 a.m. for a report of a burglary. The resident, a retired Drug Enforcement Administration agent, shot Redd. He ran bleeding from house to house, terrifying the neighbors, they said.
"I heard a series of probably four gunshots," one resident said. She asked News4 to withhold her name. "Five minutes later, I heard screeching, like car brakes, screeching down my street."
Then, she got a text message from a friend warning her not to open the door.
"He's armed. You need to get out, away from the front door. He's going from front door to front door, banging on the door, asking for help," the text said.
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Sources told News4 that when the man tried to break in to the back of the house, the homeowner confronted him. In the driveway, the homeowner fired several shots. One hit the man in the forearm.
The suspect then ran from house to house. No one let him in.
Chopper4 footage shows expansive homes on large, wooded lots.
Somehow, the suspect then made his way to a hospital in Loudoun County. He then was airlifted to Reston Hospital Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Neighbors said the incident was one in a series of recent break-ins in the area.
Resident Terri Mihokovich installed an alarm after someone tried to break into her home. She hoped her neighbor's quick action put an end to the crimes.
"It is a deterrent. Like, wow. At least he kind of learned a lesson this time," she said.
Neighbor Keith Thompson, a neighborhood watch leader, said he was glad his neighbor was armed.
"I'm grateful that he was prepared for the situation," he said.
Police said in an update that Redd, 29, of Chantilly, was charged with unlawful entry. He was still in a hospital as of Tuesday morning, according to police.
Information on whether he has a lawyer was not available immediately.
A police spokesman said Monday that investigators would determine whether the homeowner's actions were warranted.
"The homeowner is going to have to articulate in great detail that he was in immediate fear for his life or his family in order to use that type of force," a police spokesman said at a news conference Monday morning.
Neighbors were hopeful on Monday that the homeowner will not be charged.
Anyone with information for police is asked to call 866-411-TIPS or visit fairfaxcrimesolvers.org. Also, you can send a text with TIP187 to CRIMES. A reward of as much as $1,000 is offered.
