[
link to www.khq.com]
SPOKANE, Wash. - The use of force involved in Monday's deadly shooting of a car thief has yet to be determined, and depends on a number of factors.
"People do have the right to defend their property, but it has to be reasonable use of force while you're defending that property," said Lt. Mark Griffiths. "So that will be the question that will be the prosecutors job to decide."
Monday, investigators interviewed the man who shot the car thief, and police say he is cooperating with them. They also spoke with other witnesses, and are comparing those statements to evidence found at the crime scene, which spread across three blocks. That information will all be forwarded to the prosecutor's office to determine if the car owner will face any charges.
Washington State law does say that a person can use deadly force to prevent someone from committing a felony against his or her person, but when it comes to property, it's a little murky.
Detectives believe the homeowner fired a shot through the back window of the SUV while the suspect was driving away. However, one big question is whether the suspect was armed when he took off in the homeowner's SUV moments before he was shot and killed. Police say the crashed SUV has been impounded, and will be processed for evidence and any weapon on Tuesday.
Alleged car thief died of gunshot wound to the head
March 26, 2013
The man killed by a homeowner Monday morning after allegedly trying to steal a vehicle died from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s office.
The man has been identified as 25-year-old Brendon T. Kaluza-Graham.
Kaluza-Graham had a lengthy criminal record, including multiple convictions related to car theft or possessing tools related to car theft. Most recently, he was sentenced to 120 days in jail in November for possession of vehicle theft tools.
He was featured in a 2009 Spokesman-Review story on the rise in area vehicle thefts.
Kaluza-Graham also was charged with several felonies in February 2012 after brandishing a knife in a fight with a Spokane County Sheriff’s deputy. Deputies found substances believed to be methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana on him at that time, according to previously published reports.
Kaluza-Graham died Monday after a homeowner in the 1400 block of Lee called 911 just before 8 a.m. to report that his vehicle had been stolen, that the alleged thief was armed, and that he had fired at the thief, according to Spokane police.
The back window of the SUV was knocked out, which police think is from the single shot fired by the homeowner, said Lt. Mark Griffiths. He would not comment on where the vehicle was when the shot was fired at the driver.
Police spokeswoman Monique Cotton said the vehicle was left running before it was stolen.
United States
