REDLANDS, CA — A Redlands homeowner shot and wounded an intruder late Thursday night after finding the man inside his home armed with a shotgun.
The incident occurred just before midnight on January 15 in the 1500 block of Church Street. According to the Redlands Police Department, the homeowner returned to his residence to find an unknown man inside. The homeowner armed himself with a handgun, began checking the house, and soon encountered the intruder.
At that point, the suspect pointed a shotgun at the homeowner. In response, the homeowner fired his weapon, striking the suspect. The homeowner then exited the house and called 911.
Responding officers arrived quickly, cleared the home, and followed a trail of blood to the backyard. There, they located the suspect, later identified as 52-year-old Daniel Torres Carrion of Redlands, suffering from a single gunshot wound. He had stolen property from the home on his person.
Police recovered the shotgun at the scene, which the suspect had reportedly found inside the home during the break-in.
Carrion was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. After being medically cleared, he was booked at the West Valley Detention Center on charges of attempted robbery, burglary, and assault with a deadly weapon. He is currently being held on $300,000 bail.
This incident underscores two critical aspects of responsible gun ownership: being prepared to defend oneself and properly securing firearms when not at home. The homeowner’s quick decision to arm himself and respond to a deadly threat likely saved his life. However, the situation also highlights the potential dangers of leaving firearms accessible—especially when away from the residence. In this case, the intruder found the homeowner’s shotgun and used it to threaten him, which could have ended tragically. Safely storing firearms when not in use is essential, not only to prevent theft but also to ensure they cannot be turned against you in a life-threatening encounter.