Suspected car prowler shot by Covington homeowner

A suspected car prowler was shot by a homeowner in Covington early Thursday.

It happened near Southeast 250th Court and 161st Place Southeast.

Dispatchers received calls about someone being shot at 2:30 a.m.

The homeowner, who wished to be identified only as Patrick, told KIRO 7 he was alerted to the prowlers when motion sensors from his security system went off.  When he went to investigate, he found two suspects prowling around his car.

The homeowner said one of the suspects was armed with at least one gun.

“I came out, saw the guys — caught them literally red-handed with the car — and the guy turned around and he had what appeared to be a pistol in his hand and he hid behind the vehicle. And I just took cover behind the (Toyota) 4Runner and had to put him down,” said Patrick.

Patrick said the car prowlers were clearly seen on surveillance video.

The King County Sheriff’s Office said deputies arrived to find the suspect lying on the ground next to some evidence. The homeowner said the suspect he shot had a satchel but police could not open it until they obtained a search warrant.

The man who was shot was taken to Harborview in serious condition.

The homeowner was not hurt and was not taken into custody.

He said car prowls have been a problem near his home because it is down a long driveway and is secluded in relation to where cars are parked on the street.  He said though he has a sign up that says security cameras are in use, the thieves don’t seem to care.

Patrick had put up a flyer in the neighborhood nearby that showed a previous car prowler on camera.