Van Zandt County Burglary Suspect Shot and Killed

CANTON — A burglary suspect in Van Zandt County has been shot and killed. It happened early Tuesday morning. A sheriff’s department news release said a homeowner was awakened to see someone burglarizing his pickup truck. The homeowner’s son later shot the suspect when he feared the suspect would kill his father.

Investigators say the homeowner, armed with a rifle, initially approached the suspect intending to hold him until law officers arrived. The suspects fled the scene, with the homeowner shooting at him. He was not hit. The homeowner also saw a dodge pickup and flatbed trailer parked in the dark on the road near his home which he believed belonged to the suspect.

When he saw the pickup was running, he turned the motor off and took the ignition keys in an effort to keep the suspect from leaving. The homeowner was suddenly confronted by the suspect. During a scuffle the homeowner was disarmed and was assaulted with his own rifle.

The homeowner’s son, who had been awakened by the gunshots, saw the young man raising the victim’s rifle, and fearing that his father was about to be shot, the son shot the suspect. He died instantly. The suspect’s name has not been released.

After the investigation is completed, the case will be sent to the district attorney’s office for referral to the Van Zandt County Grand Jury.