Man shot trying to steal running car from Auburn driveway
AUBURN, Wash. — A man allegedly attempting to steal a running car in a south King County home's driveway was shot and injured by the car's owner Monday morning.
The Auburn Police Department said the shooting occurred around 6:20 a.m. on the 2600 block of 25th Street Southeast in Auburn. The car had been left running in the driveway when a man attempted to steal it, police said.
The vehicle's owner saw the attempted theft on his security camera and ran outside, police said.
"A confrontation between the vehicle owner and auto theft suspect took place and soon shots were fired," Auburn police said.
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Police said the suspect ran away and was found on the 2900 block of Auburn Way South with at least one gunshot wound.
He was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with "non-life-threatening injuries."
It is generally illegal to shoot someone breaking into your vehicle in Washington state, but there are circumstances when shooting the attempted vehicle thief could be considered lawful, such as if the shooting occurred in an act of self-defense or if the would-be thief has a weapon visible. It's unclear in this instance if the suspected thief had a weapon.
There's currently no information about charges being brought against the car owner.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, police said.
