Suspected Burglar Shot by Homeowner
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a residence where the homeowner found an unknown male inside his house. The suspected burglar fled the home after he was shot in the leg. He was transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The homeowner and his family were not injured and are safe.
Last night, April 4, 2020, at approximately 11:55 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the report of a burglary in progress at a residence located in the 2600 block of N. Colville Road.
One of the victims reported her husband was armed and located an unknown male, later identified as 29-year-old Kenneth B. Caldero, inside their house.
While Deputies responded, Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) 911 operator advised two shots had been fired. Caldero reportedly fled the house after he was shot in the groin.
Arriving Deputies located Caldero, who was yelling for help and bleeding profusely from his thigh, a short distance from the residence. After he was safely detained, Deputy Garrett Spencer immediately turned his focus to Caldero’s injury, and he applied a tourniquet, with the assistance of Airway Heights Police Officer Langan, to stop his excess blood loss. Medical personnel arrived soon after and provided additional care.
The male homeowner told Deputies he was upstairs watching a movie with his wife and had just turned off the TV when he heard a noise in the kitchen. Due to the late hour, he armed himself with a shotgun and went to investigate. He observed an unknown male (Caldero) standing in his kitchen, using the microwave. When confronted, Caldero said he was doing dishes. The victim ordered Caldero to get out of his house, but Caldero said he didn’t understand why the victim was mad, explaining he was just doing the victim’s dishes.
The victim again ordered Caldero to get out of his home. Caldero began walking toward the stairway of the house and fearing for the safety of his family, the victim ordered Caldero to stop, or he would be shot as he pointed the shotgun. Caldero advanced toward the victim, and a struggle for the shotgun ensued. The victim fired one shell of birdshot into the floor of the residence, and Caldero stepped back, then stepped forward and began trying to take control of the weapon again. The victim racked a round into the chamber, but Caldero continued his advance. The victim pulled the trigger a second time, firing a shot into Caldero’s leg.
Caldero later found to be armed with a knife, fled the residence where he was located a short distance away by arriving Deputies.
Caldero said he thought he was at his friend’s house and went inside to use the bathroom but must have gone into the wrong house because some guy shot him. Caldero provided a name for his friend, but after additional questioning, he said his friend was in prison. A check of the name given by Caldero confirmed his fiend was indeed incarcerated. Deputies were unable to locate any call history of Caldero’s friend at the victim’s residence or even near it.
At the hospital, Caldero’s injuries were classified and non-life-threatening but in need of medical care.
Thankfully, the homeowners, their children, nor any neighbors were injured during the incident.
Major Crimes Detectives responded to the scene to continue the investigation, but the homeowners will not face charges with the information known at this time.
Caldero remains hospitalized and faces charges of Burglary 1st Degree upon his release.