Grand jury to decide if fatal shooting was self-defense

The fatal shooting of a man suspected of trying to break into a southeast Houston apartment will be referred to a grand jury.

A man was inside his apartment in the 3900 block of Wentworth with his girlfriend and a 2-year-old when they heard a knock at the back door about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday, according to a Houston Police Department news release.

Once the door was open, an armed man pushed his way inside, pointed a handgun at the male tenant and demanded he get on the ground, police said.

Instead, the resident ran to his bedroom to retrieve his own gun. The intruder chased him and the tenant shot him several times, police said.

The intruder was declared dead at the scene by paramedics. His body was between the kitchen and the living room and a firearm was on him, HPD officer Christopher Hassig said.

The tenant, 24, was questioned and released. He was not injured. The case has been referred to a grand jury, which will decide if charges are warranted in the case.

Whether the men knew each other was unclear, Hassig said.