A California homeowner survived a late-night exchange of gunfire with an armed intruder Friday after authorities say the suspect entered the residence carrying a shotgun and opened fire during a confrontation, as reported by Breitbart.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred in San Jacinto, California, on the night of June 6. Deputies responded to reports of gunfire at a residence shortly after 10:20 p.m.
Investigators said the homeowner was not inside the residence when the incident began. According to information provided by authorities, the homeowner had been visiting a neighboring home when he heard screams and gunfire coming from his own property.
A homeowner fatally shot an armed intruder after an exchange of gunfire inside a San Jacinto residence late Friday night, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. https://t.co/fJOyKNisHe pic.twitter.com/XcHtoMPtom
— KTLA (@KTLA) June 6, 2026
After hearing the disturbance, the homeowner rushed back to his residence to determine what was happening. Upon entering the home, he encountered a man whom authorities identified as an alleged intruder. The suspect was reportedly armed with a shotgun.
Authorities said the homeowner then armed himself and confronted the suspect inside the residence. The encounter quickly escalated into a gunfight.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office described the confrontation in a statement released after the shooting.
“During the confrontation, the suspect fired multiple rounds at the homeowner. The homeowner returned fire, striking the suspect,” the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies said the exchange of gunfire occurred inside the home and ended when the suspect was hit by the homeowner’s return fire.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene, but the suspect was pronounced dead at the residence.
Authorities said the homeowner was not injured during the incident.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has not publicly released the identity of the deceased suspect. Officials also have not announced whether any additional suspects may have been involved.
The shooting remains under investigation as detectives work to determine the full sequence of events that led to the deadly encounter.
The case adds to a growing number of incidents nationwide in which homeowners have been forced to confront armed suspects inside their residences.
In this instance, investigators said the homeowner encountered an individual allegedly carrying a shotgun and exchanged gunfire after the suspect opened fire.
Law enforcement officials have not indicated that any charges are expected against the homeowner. Based on the sheriff’s office account, authorities said the homeowner returned fire after the suspect allegedly fired multiple rounds during the confrontation.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the break-in and shooting. Additional information is expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
