Possible defensive gun use in Wauconda, Illinois

These intruders apparently picked the wrong house to invade.

Police Investigate Shootings In Wauconda
Dec 27, 2009 8:20 pm

WAUCONDA, Ill. (Sun-Times Media Wire) ― Emergency crews were responding to an incident that possibly involved three shooting victims Saturday night in north suburban Wauconda.

About 5:47 p.m., authorities responded to a 911 call of shots fired at a residence in the Country Ridge subdivision o f Wauconda.

The Wauconda Police Department released a press release Saturday evening citing two males pushed their way into the residence and would not leave after repeated demands and physical altercations and one of two of the homeowners shot both subjects.

Officers responded to the scene to find both alleged intruders with gunshot injuries in front of the residence. Home residents and the alleged intruders were transported to Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. Residents were treated and released. The extent of the injuries of the alleged intruders is not known as of Sunday.

Names of the victims and the offenders are not known.

Thanks to Mary Ellen Libraro for the link.

UPDATE: The Chicago Tribune reports that the two men who broke into the home were wearing masks. They also apparently used enough force to break some metal off the door.

A homeowner shot two masked men who pushed their way into a far north suburban Wauconda house early Saturday night, sending both suspects to the hospital, police said. . . .

The shooting happened about 5:47 p.m. Saturday, with the masked men forcing their way into a house in the Country Ridge subdivision, then engaging in "repeated demands and physical altercations," police said. They refused to leave, police said, and one of the homeowners shot them. . . .

The Chicago Sun-Times describes the event somewhat differently and claims that the people who broke into the home were at the wrong address and looking for an eleven year old son. This report also notes that the homeowners who had their house broken into had to go to the hospital because of the attack by those who broke into the house.

Police on Monday said the incident appears to have stemmed from a mistaken address.

“They were looking to pick up a family member and for an unknown reason, they went to the wrong house,” Wauconda Police Cmdr. John Thibault said.

“They knocked on the door and when someone opened the door, they didn’t know who they were,” Thibault said. “ They didn’t belive that was the case, thought something was wrong and forced entry into the residence.”

The residents of the home were also taken to Good Shepherd, where they were treated and released. Investigation indicates this incident is not gang- or drug-related, according to officials.