Apparently, this home-invading thief picked the wrong target‚ and was shot in the head. Learn what the neighbors have to say, and see exclusive photos, right here‚
NE Glisan St. was shut down all morning while police investigated the shooting of a man accused of breaking into this Hazelwood home.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
“About 5 a.m. this morning, the sound of lots of sirens and police cars woke us up,” says Sunny Frankel. She lives in Hazelwood, just across NE Glisan Street where police have strung yellow crime-scene tape around a home in the 10700 block.
“You could hear lots of commotion,” Frankel adds. “An ambulance came and went. I hear there was a shooting.”
Burglary in progress
Police log the early morning disturbance on June 29 as “Incident # 311: burglary in progress” at 4:50 am.
As Portland Police Bureau East Precinct officers roll to the scene, the call is updated; they learn someone had been shot. Officers arrive and locate an individual who, officials say, has suffered a possibly life-threatening gunshot wound.
Officers get 71-year-old Leroy Hudson and another resident out of the house and then, go in to investigate.
Police aren’t saying much about the case‚ other than they’re investigating. Here, you can see the CSI heading into the home.
“They found one person down, in an enclosed porch area,” says police spokesman, Sgt. Brian Schmautz.
Homeowner cooperates
We’re told that Hudson heard someone breaking into his house, armed himself, and confronted the invading burglar.
The police say this man, Brent Sweet, was shot after he broke into Hudson’s home.
“The 26-year-old burglary suspect suffered a single gunshot wound to the head. He is in critical condition at Emanuel Hospital,” is the official word from the police.
Typically, this neighborhood is pretty quiet, neighbors say, and add they hope this shooting with discourage other criminals from trying to break into their home at night.
Officials say Hudson is cooperating with the investigation. Hours later, Schmautz publicly states, “We have no intention to bring charges against Mr. Hudson. And, it’s my understanding that the District Attorney declined to send an investigator to the scene.”
More as this story develops.
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service