A intruder at a Riverside apartment complex was shot and killed early Wednesday in a shootout with a resident during an attempted burglary, police said.
Police responded at about 1:30 a.m. to the apartment in the 5900 block of Sycamore Canyon Boulevard. They found the homeowner and intruder suffering from gunshot wounds.
Both fired several shots during the attempted burglary, according to the Riverside Police Department. Video appeared to show at least one bullet hole in a window.
The intruder died at the hospital.
Get Southern California news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC LA newsletters.
The homeowner was wounded in his lower body and was expected to survive.
"We don't believe that the suspects actually made entry they may have been attempting to get inside and then this exchange of gunfire occurred and the victim was struck in the leg area," said Officer Ryan Railsback of Riverside police.
A woman who identified herself as the victim's girlfriend told NBCLA that she is glad he defended himself, and said he "did what he needed to do."
Local
Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
Over the past several months there have been a series of violent home invasion robberies near the same part of the city of Riverside. Police say there is no reason to believe this shooting is connected.
Family members said that the victim is undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair the damage to his leg.
"I believe that it was nice he took up a stand against these people," witness Robert Cowan said.
