The suspect’s name did not appear on a list of upcoming court dates. (Photo: KCBY)
A man who broke into a Myrtle Point, Oregon, home last week is recovering from injuries he sustained after he unexpectedly ran into the shotgun-wielding 15-year-old resident.
The teen, whose name was not released because he is a minor, called the police to report the attempted burglary and subsequent shooting at 8:21 a.m. on Wednesday. After the suspect broke into the house, he began looking for valuables to steal, but the teen went to find a shotgun he knew was located inside the house. When the two came face-to-face, the young man, who was home alone and feared for his safety, fired at the suspect and shot him in the leg.
Police and emergency personnel arrived at the home a short time later. The suspect, identified as Kenneth John Edwards III, also of Myrtle Point, was transported to the Coquille Valley Hospital for medical treatment, but later transferred to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend, about 125 miles away. His injuries, although serious, were believed to be non-life-threatening. There were no reports of the teen being injured.
Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier told KCBY two days after the incident that under Oregon state law, a person is justified in using deadly physical force if someone breaks into the home and that person fears for their life.
“That’s clearly what happened here,” Frasier said. “This guy was committing a burglary and the young man in question was obviously scared about what was going on and so, no question in my mind that this was justifiable.”
It is unknown what charges Edwards will face. A search of the inmate roster at the Coos County Jail and upcoming court appearances did not produce his name.
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