http://www.komotv.com/stories/25168.htm

Bedridden Man Shoots, Kills Home Invasion Suspect

June 3, 2003

By Stacy James

TACOMA – Police in Tacoma have found the body of a man they believe was
killed by a disabled homeowner, after he attempted to rob the bedridden man
in his Tacoma home Monday afternoon.

A 64-year-old man, reportedly a paraplegic, told authorities he heard
someone enter his house in the 600 block of 88th Street at about 12:30 p.m.

That’s when he armed himself with his gun. When the masked intruder entered
his bedroom, the man fired at least one shot at the suspect, who fled from
the home.

Jim Mattheis, Tacoma police spokesman, said investigators followed the blood
trail and scoured the area, but found no sign of the suspect.

It wasn’t until just after 1 a.m. Tuesday morning that officials received a
phone call from a man who claimed he was shot in his back. That led them to
a house in the 6400 block of South Lawrence Street.

Inside, they discovered the man suspected of breaking into the victim’s
home. He had already died.

Officer Mark Fulgham, of the Tacoma Police Department, said the 33-year-old
suspect was well-known to officers, and had a lengthy criminal history,
including robbery.

The homeowner was not injured in the incident. It is still unknown whether
charges will be filed against him, but Fulgham said initial investigation
finds that he acted in self-defense.