Police: Resident, Burglar Traded Shots In Confrontation

INDIANAPOLIS -- A neighbor of a home that was being burglarized confronted the two men and exchanged gunfire with one of them Friday morning, police said.

The incident happened a little after 9 a.m. in the 3600 block of North Donald Avenue, on Indianapolis' northwest side.

Indianapolis police said the neighbor saw two men who appeared to be casing the home before one of them kicked in the front door and they went inside.

The neighbor confronted the burglars as they carried a large box full of Christmas gifts out of the house, Lt. Jeff Duhamell said.

One of the men, a slim, black male who was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and tan pants, pulled a handgun and fired at the neighbor, striking him in the hand.

The neighbor, whose name wasn't released, then fired his own gun, but didn't know if the burglar was hit, investigators said.

Police said the neighbor suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

The second man involved in the burglary was described as black and slim. He was wearing a multi-colored jacket and dark jeans.

Police said the men left the scene on foot. Officers searched for the burglars but were not able to find them.

The items that were taken from the home were left in the front yard. Four Indianapolis public schools were locked down for a short time after the incident.

Police asked anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.