Riverside shootout leaves suspect dead, resident wounded after attempted burglary, police say

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- A suspected burglar was killed in a shootout with the resident of a Riverside apartment complex he was attempting to rob, police say.

The resident of the apartment was wounded and hospitalized but is expected to survive.

The shootout happened around 1:45 a.m. in the 5900 block of Sycamore Canyon Boulevard, according to Riverside police.

Two or more suspects were attempting to break in to an apartment complex when they ended up exchanging gunfire with the person inside the unit. Several bullet holes were apparent in the window of the unit, with at least one appearing to come from inside.

The burglars never entered the apartment, police say.

Residents say after they heard a series or four or more shots go off, they saw the suspects' car flee the scene, crashing into other vehicles in the carport. One burglar was left behind and later pronounced dead at the hospital. The other suspects remain outstanding.

Officers arrived at the scene to find the apartment resident and the suspect both suffering from gunshot wounds. The two men were transported to a hospital, where the suspect died, a police spokesperson said. The deceased was not immediately identified.

Detectives are investigating whether the suspects knew their intended target.

"We don't know if this was random or not or if this was targeted for some reason," said Officer Ryan Railsback with the Riverside Police Department. "Detectives are backtracking. They're talking with the victim, who's cooperaing. A lot of unanswered questions still."

A description of the outstanding suspect or suspects was not available.