Lake Murray burglary calls new gun law into question

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – A burglar who attacked and stabbed a Lake Murray man today during an early-morning confrontation in the victim’s house was fatally shot moments later by the wounded homeowner’s adult son, according to San Diego police.

This particular case is leading people to question the logic of the San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliot’s new law that would require gun owners to safely store their guns in either a safe or with a trigger device when not in use.

The home-invasion assault and shooting in the 6300 block of Lake Shore Drive was reported shortly before 6:30 a.m. Patrol officers arrived to find a 54-year old resident on the floor of the house, suffering from stab wounds to his upper body, Lt. Anthony Dupree said. Paramedics took the victim to a hospital, where he was admitted in stable condition.

The body of the 38-year-old suspected burglar was found in a backyard pool, into which he apparently had fallen after fleeing the home, mortally wounded. His name was withheld pending family notification.

Homicide detectives were called in to take charge of the case. “Although it is early in the investigation, we have learned the homeowner confronted the (intruder) who had entered his home,” Dupree said.

“The suspect began assaulting the homeowner, at which point the homeowner’s 20-year old son retrieved a firearm and shot the intruder.”

The situation is making residents think twice about the new law that, if it were already in effect, could have altered the outcome of this burglary.