Cops: Mountlake Terrace homeowner shoots intruder breaking in through window

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash. -- A homeowner shot a man who was crawling through a back window in an effort to rob the place, according to police.

Chief Craig Wilson said a 19-year-old girl, who is a distant relative, came with another man to a home in the 22100 block of 60th Ave W. The homeowner, a man in his 50s, felt like something was wrong and eventually asked them to leave.

Wilson said a few hours later the pair returned to the house with the intent to rob the homeowner. The woman knocked on the door while the man she was with went around the back and tried to get in through an open window. The homeowner heard the commotion, went to the back and shot the intruder in the upper torso while he was halfway through the window.

The suspect stumbled out to the street and officers were called to the scene. Police said the suspect had a crochet needle that he intended to use as a weapon in the robbery.

The woman fled the scene but was later arrested in north Seattle. The vehicle they were driving was reported stolen out of Tukwila.

The suspect was taken in critical condition to Harborview Medical Center and was in surgery at last check.

The Washington State Patrol is processing the scene for evidence.

The homeowner was obviously concerned for his safety when he shot the intruder and, police say, is not being looked at as a suspect.