Activists protest fatal shooting of two burglary suspects

(11/19/07 - KTRK/PASADENA, TX) (KTRK) -- People have strong opinions about the deadly shootings of two suspected burglars in Pasadena. On Monday, those who say the men didn't deserve to die protested outside the neighbor's home.

Joe Horn, 61, has said he feared for his life when he shot and killed Diego Ortiz and Miguel de Jesus last Wednesday. He said he saw them breaking into his neighbor's home and when he went outside to confront them, they were fifteen feet from his front door. So far, Horn has not been charged with any crime. And that's why one group protested outside his Pasadena home.

"What gave someone the right to think they could kill someone in broad daylight and possibly not get prosecuted for it?" said Latiff Sally with the Millions More Movement outside Horn's home Monday.

While the group says it does not condone what the burglary suspects were doing, they do believe the shooting was racially charged. Neighbors we spoke with strongly disagree.

"Be patient. Learn the facts and if you want to speak to him, speak to him," said homeowner Nariman Abel.

We asked if this was a racist neighborhood.

"No," she replied. "We have all kinds of races in this neighborhood.""Here it goes, buddy. You hear the shotgun clicking and I'm going," said Horn on to a 911 dispatcher last Wednesday.

During the 6 minute call, Horn was warned by the dispatcher not to go outside.

"Don't, don't , don't go out the door. Mr. Horn? Mr. Horn?" said the dispatcher.

"(Expletive), they just stole something," said Horn to the dispatcher. "I'm sorry. I ain't gonna let them get away with this. They got a bag of something. I'm doing it."

"Move, you're dead," Horn, who took the phone outside with him, could be heard saying to the suspects.

Then three gunshots could be heard.

While is sounds like Horn went outside to see the two men, his attorney insists he just wanted to see where they were. Horn, he says, opened his front door and saw them on his property just 15 feet away, got scared and fired in self defense.

"The events of that day will weigh on me for the rest of my life," said Horn's attorney, reading his client's statement. "My thoughts go out to the loved ones of the deceased."

Miguel de Jesus was on parole at the time he was killed. Diego Ortiz was arrested for possession of marijuana back in 1995, but that charge was dismissed. Horn was not available for comment Monday.

The investigation continues
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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