Newport Beach home invasion: Man inside residence opens fire after 2 suspects break in
Police believe the homeowners may have known at least one of the suspects.
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A violent home invasion in Newport Beach turned deadly when a homeowner opened fire on two suspects who broke into the home.
The incident unfolded around 4:45 a.m. Tuesday at the home along a cul-de-sac on Vista Luci. According to the Newport Beach Police Department, one man, two women and a child of unknown age were inside the home when the two suspects broke in.
Investigators say the intruders got into the home through a side door and were confronted by the man, who opened fire using a rifle. When officers arrived, they found the armed suspect lying in the street and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. That individual was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive. Police believe the homeowner shot the suspect.
The second suspect was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in some nearby bushes, the department told Eyewitness News. AIR7 HD was over the scene shortly after 6 a.m. as officers surrounded that suspect.
Authorities believe the family was targeted by people they knew.
"We know that there's a relationship between the suspects, the two suspects, and the victims, the residents," said Newport Beach PD Sgt. Steve Oberon.
Details on the nature of their relationship were not available, as well as the intentions of the suspects once they got inside.
"It is very rare for the city of Newport Beach... I want the residents and community members to know that we're doing everything that we can to continue to ensure everyone's safety," said Oberon, who called the crime a "targeted incident."
None of the people who were inside the home were hurt.
Newport Beach Mayor Will O'Neill said the crime was shocking, but praised the homeowner for jumping into action to protect his loved ones.
"I can tell you right now if you come into Newport Beach to commit a crime, we will defend ourselves, and today is an example of that," he said.
Police said this incident was in no way connected to any South American burglary and theft rings that have targeted affluent neighborhoods in the area.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
