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KMBC TheKansasCityChannel.com | Kansas City Star Wednesday
April 03 07:58 PM EST
Neighbor: Intruder Chose Wrong House
The encounter only lasted a few frantic moments, but when it was over,
the prowler was dead, KMBC 9 News’ Peggy Breit reported Wednesday.

Victor Fuentes, 19, was shot and later died after allegedly
breaking into a man’s house in the 300 block of Mersington Avenue.

The man who lives in the house works nights at the railroad, so he was
sleeping about 10 a.m.

He told police that he was awakened to the sounds of someone rummaging
through his basement, and then he grabbed his gun.

The intruder was shot and taken to the hospital, where he later died.
The homeowner said that as he began looking through his house, the
intruder surprised him on the first floor.

“At that time, the prowler made a sudden motion that he took … as a
threatening motion, and he fired the handgun at the suspect,” said
officer Bob Murphy of the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

A bullet penetrated the front wall of the home, and a plate glass window
shattered.

“The glass … woke me up,” neighbor Paul Larabee said.

Larabee said he didn’t hear gunshots, but he knew why his neighbor owned
a gun. Larabee said he owns one, too.

“He’s a fine person. I’ve known him 26 years here. You couldn’t find a
better person, but they picked on the wrong person to rob,” Larabee
said.

Other neighbors said that break-ins and robberies are common.

“My wife was in my house sleeping. They broke in, stole the stuff out of
my house, and they cleaned Johnny out in broad daylight,” neighbor Gary
Stuart said.

Police said that a such a situation is not at all the norm.

“Early indications (are that it) appears it is justifiable,” Murphy
said.

Police said they are still looking for a car that was seen speeding
through the back alley and in front of the home.

“I just (saw) the three boys in the car. They went right past me and
scared me. (They) almost hit me,” neighbor Helen Showers said.

The homeowner was taken in for questioning and released. Charges are not
expected, Breit reported.

Police did not say whether the prowler was armed. The homeowner said he
did not know Fuentes.

Investigators are still looking for three men in a blue car, but they
said they are not sure what role, if any, they had in what happened,
Breit reported.