Local

Flint homeowner shoots and kills armed robber

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Tags:

flint, gun crime, shooting, local, gabe gutierrez

Gabe Gutierrez
More: Bio, abc12.com News Team, E-mail

MID-MICHIGAN (WJRT) -- (11/07/09) -- The latest act of violence in the city of Flint came with a twist as police say a homeowner fought back and killed his would-be-robber.

Detectives are now looking for at least one other suspect who they say is still on the run.

The unusual and brazen home invasion occurred around 10:00 am Saturday in the 300 block of West Bishop.

The man's uncle indentified him as Preston Flowers. Flint Police Lieutenant T.P. Johnson says Flowers and at least one other armed man broke into the Flint home in broad daylight.

More: Follow us on Twitter

At the time, the homeowner was chatting on the phone with a family member.

Police say he confronted the intruders and wrestled away a handgun and according to Johnson, shot and killed one of his would-be robbers. The other took off.

The homeowner hasn't been identified but he's cooperating with police. It's unclear whether he'll face charges.

"If the facts all prove to be the case, he has a a right to defend himself and his property with force if that's necessary," said Lt. Johnson.

Still, with another crime and another death inside the city limits, the area's newly-reelected city councilman felt prompted to call for action.

"I am sick of it," said councilman Delrico Loyd, who said someone broke into his home on Tuesday. "I'm issuing a challenge to the mayor, the chief of police and the council to not just be sick and tired, but to put our actions where our mouths are."

Police are investigating whether the shooting was justified as Flowers' family is torn between grief and guilt.

Police have not released any description of the suspect who is still on the loose.