Man killed in house robbery; girlfriend fears for her life

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – A man was shot to death by robbers who burst into his home in this suburb between Seattle and Tacoma, and his girlfriend says she fears for her life.

Theodore Wheeler, 25, was dead by the time police arrived at the house Wednesday night. As of Monday no arrest had been reported.

His girlfriend of five years said she has since been hiding with the couple’s two sons, ages 1 year and 2 months, and her 7-year-old daughter in fear that the robbers would come back to get her.

She said she and Wheeler were sitting on the couch with the two little boys when “there was just a big boom,” the sound of the front door being smashed.

She said Wheeler told her to cover her head and protect the two children as the robbers began shouting and demanding money.

After he said there was no money, that they were broke, she heard what she thinks was a brief struggle.

“I heard a pop and he slumped over on me and my babies,” she said.

The men told her to keep her head down, dragging her along as they ransacked the house in an apparent search for cash.

She said the men tore the rings off her fingers, told her they would be back and fled.

Police spokeswoman Stacy Flores said investigators believe at least four men were involved in the robbery and shooting.