A juvenile suspect is in the hospital after he was shot while trying to break into an armed homeowner's residence in El Cajon.



A 75-year-old man was home alone in the 700-block of Terra Lane when he heard someone breaking into his home at around 11 a.m. Monday, according to El Cajon Police Lt. Mike Moulton.



As he went to check on it, he grabbed a handgun. He found a juvenile suspect climbing through a bathroom window in the back of the house.



Lt. Moulton says the two got into a physical fight, and the homeowner fired his gun, hitting the suspect in the leg. The homeowner then rushed to call the police.

When officers arrived, they found the suspect in the bathroom with a single, non-life threatening gunshot wound to the leg. Both men were taken to the hospital: the suspect for the gunshot wound, and the homeowner for observation.



Detectives plan to charge the suspect with burglary, if not other charges.



Under California’s Home Protection Bill of Rights, it is legal to use deadly force to protect your home, so the homeowner will not face any charges.

Police say the juvenile suspect will be charged in the hot prowl burglary following his release from the hospital.