Car prowler, getaway driver both shot after breaking into van with man sleeping inside, police say

SEATTLE -- Officers arrested a 63-year-old man who they say shot a car prowler who broke into the van he was sleeping in.

According to Seattle police, witnesses called 9-1-1 to report a shooting around 12:30 a.m. Saturday near Rainier Avenue South and South Plum Street.

The suspect told police he was asleep in the van when a man broke into his car. He reportedly grabbed his gun and chased the car prowler down the street firing shots at him.

Police said the suspect continued shooting at the prowler as he jumped into a nearby getaway car. Officers said the men ditched the car as officers arrived.

The car prowler had been shot in the back, police said. Medics treated him and transported him to Harborview Medical Center.

A short time later, staff at Swedish Hospital called to report a 21-year-old man had been dropped off with a non life-threatening gunshot wound to his leg.



Investigators determined the 63-year-old gunman surpassed the scope of self-defense, "Officers concluded, even after the car-prowl suspect and his driver no longer constituted a threat to either the man’s property or his safety, he continued to shoot at the two men as they were fleeing the scene."