LAKE SAINT LOUIS • A homeowner shot and killed a suspected car thief Friday in Lake Saint Louis, authorities say.

The dead man, Shawn T. Jimenez, 31, of Lake Saint Louis, was found in the homeowner’s 2009 Volkswagen Passat about 1 a.m. Friday.

The homeowner, whose name was not released, was not injured. Police said they were investigating to determine whether the shooting was justified.

Police Capt. Chris DiGiuseppi gave this account:

At 12:51 a.m., a resident of a townhouse on Monterey Cyprus Drive called 911. He had heard his car alarm and went outside to confront a man trying to steal the car. He called to tell police shots had been fired and he needed assistance.

When officers arrived, they found the Passat about a block away, on Quail Meadows Court, where it had struck a home. In the driver’s seat was Jimenez, who had been shot. He died at the scene. Officials did not say if he was armed.

Police were investigating how the suspect got there and whether anyone else was involved, DiGiuseppi said.

Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editor, Mandy St. Amand. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.