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Police: Homeowner shoots, kills intruder on NE side

Posted at 6:02 AM, Jun 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-06 20:22:58-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- A homeowner shot and killed an intruder in his northeast-side house Tuesday morning, police said.

The shooting happened in the 7600 block of Wickfield Drive around 2 a.m.

According to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Richard Riddle, there were two adults -- the man and his wife -- and their 3-year-old child in the house when an intruder came in through a side door. 

The homeowner heard a noise, grabbed his handgun and shot the intruder. The intruder was identified as Derrick Johnson Jr., 18. He was not armed. 

Riddle said the homeowner is being extremely cooperative with police. Neighbors say the house has been broken into before.

Police were working a carjacking in the same neighborhood at the time of the shooting, and were able to respond within 60 seconds. There were also several other burglaries in a nearby area. It is unknown if the incidents are related.

Indiana state law states a person can protect their home against "unlawful intrusion." The law also states you are justified in using reasonable force against another person to protect yourself or someone else.

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