BEAUMONT, Texas — A 43-year-old burglary suspect is currently in the hospital, and Beaumont Police said a homeowner was well within his rights to shoot him.
The shooting took place early Friday morning in Beaumont's North End. Officers responded to a call about a burglary in progress in the 5300 block of Wildwood Avenue just after midnight, according to a Beaumont Police Department release.
While police were on their way to the scene, dispatch told officers the homeowner had shot the suspect who was now inside the residence.
Police later identified the suspect as Jason Omar Cruz, of Beaumont.
Video from a neighbor's Vivint camera showed the red and blue lights of Beaumont Police units and officers responding to the call.
"We have such friendly nice people in this area, and so, this must have been an intrusion as they say," Doug Taylor, the neighbor said. "Because we are just so settled and quiet here."
When police arrived, they found the Cruz on the bathroom floor in a large pool of blood. Responding officers were able to save his life by using a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
Cruz was taken to a Beaumont hospital by ambulance and is expected to survive their wounds.
Police said the homeowner acted under Texas law and will not face any charges.
"Even though they are the ones who shot the suspect, they are still the victim," Beaumont Police Spokesperson Haley Morrow said. "The suspect is the one who broke the law and committed a crime and as a result, he was shot."
Legal experts agree.
"Some states refer to them as the castle doctrine, or stand your ground doctrines," Criminal Defense Lawyer Ryan Gertz said. "In Texas, we call it self-defense, defense of others, and defense of property those are the three justifications."
Police later obtained a burglary of a habitation warrant for Cruz. He is still in the hospital recovering from his injuries but once he is released, he will be relocated to the Jefferson County Jail.
Cruz's bond has been set at $100,000, according to Beaumont Police Department release.
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Read the original Beaumont Police Department news release...
Warrant Issued for Burglar Shot by Homeowner- 5300 Wildwood
BPD Detectives have obtained a Burglary of a Habitation Warrant for Jason Omar Cruz, a 43 year old Beaumont resident. Cruz was shot by the homeowner of a residence he broke into just after midnight. He is still in the hospital recovering from his injuries but once he is released, he will be relocated to the Jefferson County Jail. The bond has been set at $100,000.
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Homeowner Shoots Burglar Actively Breaking into Residence
On Friday, May 19, 2023 at 12:07 am, Beaumont Police responded to a residence in the 5300 block of Wildwood in reference to a Burglary in Progress.
While Officers were in route, dispatched advised that the homeowner had shot the suspect who was now inside the residence. When officers arrived they found the suspect unresponsive in a large pool of blood inside the bathroom. A BPD Officer was instrumental in saving the suspect's life by using his tourniquet to render aid. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to survive. Charges are pending against the suspect.
