Suspect Shot Dead During Attempted Granada Hills Home Invasion

GRANADA HILLS, CA — A suspect was shot to death by a homeowner during an attempted home invasion robbery Saturday in Granada Hills.

Officers were dispatched about 5 a.m. Saturday to a home in the 11400 block of Swinton Avenue, near Rinaldi Avenue, regarding a "hot prowler" call, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.

A preliminary investigation indicated three men in their 20s wearing black hoodies, dark clothing and masks entered the home intending to burglarize it, police said.

One suspect pointed a weapon at the victim, who told police he feared for his life and produced a gun and fired shots, according to the LAPD. One suspect was struck by the gunfire and pronounced dead inside the house.

He was found to have suffered two gunshot wounds and was in possession of the victim's property, police said.

The victim chased the other two suspects out of the house, and a trail of blood indicated one might have been wounded, police said. The homeowner, as well as a grandmother and a toddler were inside at the time of the robbery. No other injuries were reported.

A black BMW sedan recovered at the scene is believed to have been used in the crime, police said.

Investigators interviewed the victim at the Devonshire Community Police Station and released him, police said.

Anyone with information was asked to call Valley Bureau Homicide detectives at 818-374-9550 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

— City News Service