SAN ANTONIO, TX — A homeowner shot a suspected burglar early Thursday morning on the southeast side of San Antonio, authorities reported. The incident occurred around 5 a.m. near the 2300 block of Hicks Avenue when the homeowner encountered an alleged intruder.

San Antonio Police responded to the scene after neighbors reported hearing several gunshots. The 43-year-old homeowner confronted the alleged burglar inside his home and fired a handgun, striking the suspect. Upon investigation, police discovered a 48-year-old man, believed to be the intruder, in a nearby detached garage on Vanderbilt Street with gunshot wounds.

The suspect was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and later placed into police custody. Neighbors, while concerned about recent violence in the area, noted that the homeowner may have known the alleged intruder.

Local workers who arrived later in the morning at a nearby job site reported seeing a heavy police presence. “There was a lot of commotion in the morning here,” said one witness, Rafael Olivares, adding that multiple police vehicles were on the scene.

At this time, the homeowner has not been charged. Texas law allows the use of force in self-defense when facing an immediate threat of serious bodily harm or death. SAPD is continuing to investigate the circumstances to ensure the shooting falls within these legal guidelines.

In situations involving an intruder inside your home, Texas law permits the use of force when you reasonably believe you or others are in immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death. If someone unlawfully enters your home, this often qualifies as an imminent threat, justifying the use of force in self-defense. However, it’s always crucial to notify law enforcement as soon as possible to ensure the situation is handled properly and within the bounds of the law.