Tulsa Homeowner Describes Shooting, Killing Intruder

Tuesday, November 27th 2018, 5:39 pm

By: Justin Shrair

A Tulsa man shot and killed a man breaking into his house near 51st and South Lewis Tuesday morning. The same homeowner shot another burglar five years ago.

Related Story: Police: Tulsa Homeowner Fatally Shoots Intruder

Police said the intruder's name is Donald Stovall. The homeowner is Charles Sweeney and he said he did what he felt he had to do to protect himself.

Charles Sweeney said noises coming from his bathroom woke him up. The first thought that ran through his head was someone was breaking into his house.

"I grabbed a pistol which is right there where I sleep, and it was only about another three or four seconds and he comes into view and blam boy that 9 millimeter is real loud inside the house," said Sweeney.

Sweeney said he shot the man in the chest and called police.

"When he clenched up his chest he says ‘I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry’ he retreats back to the bathroom and he tried to get out the same window but he didn't make it," said Sweeney.

Tulsa Police said Donald Stovall died inside Sweeney's house. This is not the first time Sweeney has shot a burglar in his home.

A man named Michael Watts broke into Sweeney's home in 2013. Sweeney shot him too, but he lived.

"He goes down I run for the phone he gets back up shoves my air conditioner out of the way and takes a high dive right out my second story window," said Sweeney.

And while Tulsa Police investigate, they say people do have a right to defend themselves.

"If you are in your home and you have an intruder come in and you feel that you are in fear of your life or the life of someone else who maybe in your home, you are well within your rights to defend yourself,” said Captain Karen Tipler.

Sweeney said he just wants people to stop breaking into his house.

"He got inside the interior of my house and I didn't know if he had a weapon and I thought my life was in danger I shot him, and I'll do it again,” said Sweeney.

The burglar Sweeney shot in 2013 is now in prison.