Home Invasion Shooting In Aptos: Details Released

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A man who was allegedly trying to break into an Aptos home in the early morning hours of June 20, and was shot several times by the resident, has been identified by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office as Damien Welch, 25. After the shooting, Welch was rushed to a Bay Area trauma center, and was finally released by medical staff late last week, but was immediately taken into custody by deputies, according to officials.

At approximately 3:38 a.m. June 20, the sheriff's office went to the home on Cedar Street after receiving a 911 call about the alleged attempted break-in. According to the sheriff's office, Welch used a large rock to smash the window of a side door at the home. However, a woman inside the Aptos residence was armed with a handgun and shot Welch, according to the sheriff's office.

The woman ran upstairs to a bedroom and called 911, while Welch continued trying to get into the home, the sheriff's office said. He made his way onto the roof and threatened to climb in through a window, but was shot again by the woman, according to the SCCSO.

When deputies arrived, they found Welch wounded on the roof. Now that he is in the sheriff's custody, he is facing residential burglary and prowling charges, the SCCSO reported.

The immediate investigation showed there was no prior relationship between the man and the resident, the sheriff's office reported.