Phoenix homeowner shoots, kills alleged burglary suspect: PD

Burglary suspect shot by homeowner in Phoenix

Police are investigating a burglary call that ended with the homeowner shooting an intruder near 7th and Northern avenues. FOX 10's Taylor Wirtz reports.

PHOENIX - Police are investigating a burglary call that ended with a homeowner shooting and killing an intruder near 7th and Northern avenues.

What we know:

According to Phoenix Police, a man called 911 just before 7:45 a.m. on July 13 saying that someone was in his backyard, forcing their way into his home.

"While on the phone with the 9-1-1 operator, the homeowner shot the man while he was in the backyard," police said. "Officers arrived at the scene and had the homeowner and his family, including small children, exit the house."

The suspect, 25-year-old Kwame Hightower, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The homeowner is cooperating with investigators, who believe the suspect was attempting to steal from the residence.

What they're saying:

One neighbor, Gary Alpert, described hearing unusual noises that morning. 

"All I heard was a kind of a rattle, kind of like a washing machine shaking. That was the sound that I thought it was. That kind of a sound," Alpert said. 

He added that the community is concerned, with "a lot of texting going on about how we can help the people."

Neighbors described the area as a "tight-knit, family-friendly community where people look out for each other," expressing shock at the morning's events. They also noted that the family living in the home has children and are worried about their well-being. 

What we don't know:

Questions remain among residents, including whether the burglar was armed and how they gained entry to the home.

The homeowner hasn't been identified.

What's next:

Police say the homeowner was released from custody and the incident will be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.

Map of the crime scene area