Sheriff’s Office: Homeowner unlikely to face charges after shooting suspected burglar Saturday night near Riverside State Park

A 29-year-old man was shot by a homeowner after trying to break into a house near Riverside State Park late Saturday night, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

Kenneth B. Caldero was yelling for help and bleeding profusely when deputies responded to a burglary in progress in the 2600 block of North Colville Road, according to a news release. The male homeowner told deputies he was watching a movie with his wife upstairs when he heard a noise in their kitchen and took his shotgun to go investigate.

The homeowner told deputies he saw Caldero standing in the kitchen using the microwave, according to the news release. When the homeowner confronted Caldero about being in his house, Caldero said he was doing dishes.

The homeowner was scared for the safety of his family and threatened to shoot Caldero if he didn’t stop, authorities said. When Caldero walked toward the homeowner, he fired one shell of birdshot into the floor. Caldero stepped back but then lunged forward trying to get control of the gun, according to the statement.

The homeowner then shot Caldero in the groin.

Deputies who arrived on scene immediately applied a tourniquet to Caldero’s injuries and medical personnel arrives quickly to provide additional care, the sheriff’s office said.

Caldero told deputies he thought he was at his friend’s house but must have gone into the wrong house. Initially Caldero gave deputies the name of his friend, who turned out to be incarcerated and never lived near the address.

Caldero was transferred to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Major Crimes detectives continue to investigate the incident but say the homeowner will not face charges with the information known Sunday.

Caldero is still hospitalized but will face charges of first-degree burglary when released.