Philadelphia Woman Kills Home Intruder, Later Discovers She Knew Him
A woman who shot and killed a masked intruder in her home has told police she recognized him after the incident.
A Philadelphia woman shot and killed a masked intruder who broke into her home in the early morning hours of September 30, authorities said. The woman later realized she knew the 29-year-old man, who sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Police responded to the scene on Castor Avenue, located northeast of downtown Philadelphia, shortly after 5 a.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered the unresponsive intruder, who was pronounced dead at the location.
According to Chief Inspector Scott Small, the woman reported hearing someone breaking into her apartment. She confronted the individual after he entered her home.
"It appears this individual broke the window and was able to reach in and open the door, and then entered this woman's apartment and that's when the shot - or shots - were fired," Small told ABC6. "When they uncovered his face. When they removed his ski mask to work on him, the female did recognize him and she did have a prior relationship with him. We're not certain what type of relationship at this time."
The woman is cooperating fully with the Philadelphia Police Department's investigation.
Online reactions from Philadelphia residents expressed support for the woman's actions, with some asserting her right to self-defense. "We all have to protect ourselves," one Facebook user commented. Another added, "She did what she needed to do... He was a man and he could strangle her that’s a weapon." A third user stated, "I hope that she doesn’t have any problems with this. She just exercised her right to self-defense."