Gary Dickman, who lives across the street, said kids run up and down that street at all hours of the day and night, often in groups of 10 or more. (Photo: WDRB)
A man in Louisville shot two teen boys Wednesday afternoon after they broke into his house and killed the family dog.
Authorities received a call about a home invasion around 12:30 p.m., but when officers arrived on the scene, they found a young boy lying on the ground, suffering from a gunshot wound. One street over, another young man had also been shot.
Investigators have not yet released many details about the shooting, but the homeowner’s wife, who did not wish to be identified, told local media that the suspects broke into their house, not realizing her husband was home. After breaking in, the teens killed the family’s dog. Then, at some point, they met the homeowner, who opened fire and struck the two teens. Both suspects fled the scene, but neither got very far.
Charles Graham, who lives nearby, said he heard the gunshots, then saw one of the suspects running down the road, yelling that his brother had just been shot.
One witness, who was not publicly identified, told reporters she heard the gunshots while lying in bed and when she got up, saw one of the suspects outside, then went to help him.
“The little boy was on the ground,” the witness said. “I just applied pressure to his wounds and told him to calm down and keep calm, that he’d be all right.”
According to the witness, who was talking with the boy to help keep him conscious, he was only 16 years old and was shot in the leg.
Meanwhile, about a block away, resident Nate Eaton was tending to the other suspect while waiting for help. Eaton, who also described the suspect as a “little kid,” said at first he didn’t see the extent of the boy’s injuries.
“There was one in his back. It went through,” Eaton said of the suspect’s gunshot wound. “I didn’t see the back at first. I just saw the front.”
Eaton said he was on the phone with the paramedics, trying to calm the boy down, when the suspect started throwing up. Eaton was told to roll the boy over on his side and that’s when he saw what was presumably the exit wound in his back.
Both boys were transported to the hospital for medical treatment and are expected to survive.
Area residents say crime has increased in the area. In fact, neighbor Gary Dickman told reporters he ran off a group of teens a few weeks ago when he caught them trying to break into the home that was hit Wednesday. He said several of the residents have installed security cameras because there has been a rash of burglaries and car break-ins.
“It’s a shame that you have to protect your house like that,” Dickman said, “but someone comes in your house like that while you’re home, then I guess you have that right.”
No charges have been filed at this time.
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